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.
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