Mumbai
Thursday, April 19, 2001


C. Rajendra strikes back with a morale-boosting treble

By Usman Rangila 

Jockey C. Rajendra — whose confidence had hit an all-time low in the last couple of weeks — logged in a morale-boosting treble on Thursday. It was indeed heartening to watch Rajendra ride with renewed vigour after his bugbear B. Prakash’s winning spree had virtually become unstoppable. Moira, Realism and Mille Fiori were the three winners steered by Rajendra. Jockey B. Prakash on the other hand rode a solitary winner in Blue Butterfly. 

Narendra Lagad-saddled Moira (Mazilier – Rhiakoh) was smartly off from the blocks to head the field, and even as the winning post came near, bottom-weighted Lovingly was the lone challenger in sight for Moira. Rajendra went all out on Moira as Lovingly nearly had the measure of the even-money favourite. Not the one to take things lying down, Rajendra employed all his skills to thwart Lovingly and his valiant bid finally saved the day for the punters.

Rajendra’s second assignment astride Cloud Nine turned out to be a nightmare for followers of big money. Having just knuckled under to Majestic Hills a fortnight back, Cloud Nine was the overwhelming choice of all to win. The pre-race analysis predicted an armchair ride for Rajendra astride the chestnut filly groomed by Hormuz Antia. The daughter of Tecorno out of Beautiful Princess was in command for a fleeting moment as the gates opened and was soon overtaken by Silver Line. Cloud Nine never raised any hopes and lost pace gradually to end in the dumps. Silver Line eventually stretched out to win comfortably from Persian Lord and Coronado. 

 

Even as punters began speculating the reasons for Cloud Nine’s defeat, the filly entered the paddocks riderless. Looking at the discomfort shown by Cloud Nine, the club’s senior veterinary officer advised Rajendra to dismount on the way back to the paddocks. When asked to give his opinion about Cloud Nine’s dismal show, Rajendra replied, "The filly came out well from the gates but never strode out comfortably and gave a scratchy performance throughout." When questioned by the stipes, trainer H. J. Antia is reported to have said, "I am totally at a loss by Cloud Nine’s show." 

Looking at the gravity of the situation, the stipes showed an inclination to hold an in-depth inquiry into this run of Cloud Nine. However, the senior vet said that this was the first time at the racecourse that he had seen a horse in such distress. According to the vet, Cloud Nine was so exhausted when taken to the sampling yard that she just went limp on to the ground and preferred to lie down. The filly was immediately put on saline which continued till the next day. Samples have been drawn from Cloud Nine and will be sent for testing abroad. The circumstances in which Cloud Nine lost are certainly shrouded in mystery, but this could be one of those rare cases where the natural phenomena is involved in the failure of a horse to perform. 

Realism brought the second success of the day for Rajendra in the Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Trophy, the feature event of the day. Sunglow bowled along merrily in front over the seven-furlong trip and nearly swept his rivals off their feet. Realism, who was lying fourth at the bend, was switched on the outside by Rajendra to alert the H. J. Antia-trained gelding to his task. Following a keen tussle. Realism snuffed out the hopes of Sunglow nearer home. Speculative finished a tame third. 

Mille Fiori (Placerville-Love You Millions) fought hard to gain supremacy over Waleshan, Forest Hunter and Alustar who brought the field into the home straight. Rajendra applied himself well and his efforts didn’t go waste as Mille Fiori surged ahead for a comfortable victory in the Mount Everest Plate. 

The Vibrant Plate, framed at the declaration stage for maiden three-year-old horses, proved to be a virtual gift for Louis Cyphre (Conquering Hero – Nica Libre). The chestnut gelding hailing from the yards of Narendra Lagad was a winner right from the word go. Malozza and Track Emotions made no impression on the winner as jockey Mark Gallagher punched Louis Cyphre to extend the margin of victory.

Berliet — who had failed to figure on board in all of her eight runs this season — showed remarkable improvement in her form to oblige her connections. Though punters may find no reason to be peeved, the incidents of sudden improved performance of horses with the "right money" on them is continuing unabated and rather unabashedly in Western India. More exasperating is the inaction of the RWITC stewards, who seem to be moving around with "blinkers on" giving an impression that so far as these horses are well-backed, their (stewards) intervention is uncalled for. 

The Faisal Abbas-trained Berliet won narrowly from Mambo King in another race that was framed at the last minute. Mambo King suffered due to P. Belose inept handling but for which the result could have been different. Laurel’s, for the third time in a row, came from the wrong end to finish a close fourth ahead of Act of Trust.

B. Prakash-ridden Blue Butterfly (Tecorno – Rustle of Spring) justified her favouritism to win from Spring Time and Crisscross. The last named covered acres of ground towards the end and should earmarked for a victory in Pune. 

Balancita, saddled by Jayantilal Gor, was given a beautiful ride by jockey Sunny Chinoy to win a closely fought battle in the last race of the day. Fine Arrow got into his strides a bit late to make any difference to the result. Momentous Mover finished third just ahead of Shanillo, who surprised yet again by going an extra furlong over the distance where he last won.
 

Click here to view Photo Feature

Rate this review

Excellent
Good
Average
Poor

Any comments ?

  Your Name

  Your email ID

  Your Comments


Reviews Archive

 

Bangalore Winter Season 2000-2001 
(5th Nov, 2000 to till date)
 
Bangalore Summer Season 2000
(20th May, 2000 to
30th October 2000)
  
Calcutta Winter Season 2000-2001
(22nd Nov, 2000 to till date)
 
Mumbai Winter Season 2000-2000
(16th Nov, 2000 to till date)
 

Hyderabad Winter Season 2000-2001
(16th Nov, 2000 to till date)
 

Mysore Regular  Season 2000
(24th Aug, 2000 to
22nd October 2000)
 

Pune Regular  Season 2000
(20th July, 2000 to
22nd October 2000)
  

Mail this review


 
Your Name


  Receiver's Name


  Receiver's e-mail ID