Aspiring Star upsets the applecart of Elegant Jade

By Usman Rangila

Elegant Jade and Speed of Light, both last outing winners, were simply done in for speed by debutant Aspiring Star in the Astronomic Trophy here on Sunday. The three-year-old son of Broto out of Thunderous stunned the fancied duo to make a winning debut. The bay gelding, trained by Arti Doctor, took off smartly from the gates with jockey P. S. Chouhan doing well to settle Aspiring Star close to the inner rails. Aspiring Star held the advantage right through the journey as Elegant Jade giving him a hot chase. Prakash drove Elegant Jade vigorously but Aspiring Star was in no mood to relent. The winner eventually finished a head better of Elegant Jade with Speed of Light following him close behind. 

A brilliant piece of riding from Mark Gallagher astride Dotcom (Cruachan – Bushy Belle) found the Sanjay Kolse trainee devour ground in the home stretch and snatch the race from favourite Sizzling Symphony. The latter led from the word go and just when the winning post was in sight, Dotcom appeared from nowhere to dash her hopes of victory. At the turn, Dotcom seemed to be in a hopeless position but Gallagher got working and drew an amazing response from the son of Cruachan. Celtic Son pipped Anacita for the third spot and should strip fitter after this run. 

One unique feature of the day was that none of the first favourites won. The first to fall was Emmanuel’s Pet, who surprisingly quoted as the shortest priced runner of the day. The seven-year-old horse trained by Irene Patel found a ‘perfect’ match in Bearer Bond who was homeward bound soon as the starter’s flag came down. Jockey V. Kotwal had partnered Bearer Bond during his last five runs and the aged gelding provided the luckless rider his first career winner. Emmanuel’s Pet is reported to have returned lame after the race so you know whom to blame for this defeat. 

Razana with C. Rajendra in saddle made every post of the seven-furlong K. H. Irani Plate a winning one. The moneybags were gung-ho about the prospects of B. Prakash-ridden Survee’s Pet but the filly played truant again. Furiously too was in serious contention at one stage but failed to quicken. 

My Solitaire made up for her unfortunate defeat at the hands of Little Champ earlier by winning the Archimedes Plate. Jockey B. Prakash gradually improved the position of the daughter of Cristofori out of Belle Epoque from the rear as Absolute Hit embarked on a pillar to post mission. Rounding the turn My Solitaire was soon in striking position, the moment Prakash gathered the reins she swooped on Absolute Hit and sailed away for home. The 6 to 4 favourite Special Happening became just another favourite to have bit the dust when he ended a tame third. In hindsight, it was probably hoping for too much from this Imtiaz Sait ward after his fluent success in the lower class.

Trainer Shiraz Sunderji’s labour of love in persisting with Voice of Freedom finally bore fruits as the six-year-old son of Sir Bruce galloped resolutely in the hands of apprentice Aadesh Kumar. Voice of Freedom ran on the wide outside to catch hold of Musical Melody and Texas King. Sacred Mission finally showed interest in racing and finished second after pegging back Texas King. Handsome Hero (late San Vitale) filled the frame after finishing on with some purpose. 

With favourite Reprobate never in the hunt and Days of Thunder languishing at the wrong end of the field, Speedster managed to earn his corn bill in the hands of P. S. Chouhan who completed a well-deserved double. Whirling Dervish ran a forward race and should win early over a sprint. 

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