Earlier, Aprilia (Don’t Forget Me – Passing Gull) was taken on a successful start to finish mission by Rajendra in the Classic Story Plate. The Vijay Mallya-property just managed to scrape through at the end as Love Me Forever came with a menacing run to finish second. The bay daughter of Turtle Island, brought in-foal to Trojan Lady, was the centre of attraction at the Mahalaxmi racecourse as her odds were hammered down to 7 to 4 against after opening at 10 to 1 overnight.
Love Me Forever had had some good preparatory workouts but with trainer Cooji Katrak declaring his "blue-eyed-boy" S. M. Johnson to ride her, this was largely expected to be an educative run for the debutant filly. However, it seems, some insiders sought to make a fast buck on Love Me Forever. But the no-nonsense attitude of Mr G. N. Pedder and Dewan Arun Nanda, the sporting owners of the filly, probably annulled their nefarious designs. Unconfirmed reports suggest that both Pedder and Nanda did not take kindly to this hanky-panky act and Love Me Forever has now been relocated to the stables of Imtiaz Sait.
Trainer Mansoor Shah had a rich haul of three winners in Zosyn, Free Gold and Tagamet, all sporting the colours of USA-based Dr Suresh Chintamaneni. Had Prince Shazaan held his fort against Classic Rock in the first race of the day, the tally for Mansoor would have risen to four. Altaf Hussain-trained Classic Rock gave a good response to jockey Ravi Birmane in the home straight and brought the runaway tactics of Prince Shazaan to a nought.
Mansoor didn’t have to sulk for long as he had a back to back double via Zosyn and Free Gold. Jockey B. Prakash added another brace to his tally, keeping his lead over C. Rajendra intact. A resolute run down the centre from Zosyn took care of early leader Hiccups. Soliel ran on late to finish second ahead of Partner Perfect.
Free Gold then took full advantage of Thunder Clap’s waywardness and necked out the joint favourite at the post. A furlong away from home, Thunder Clap was in command of the running but the moment apprentice I. Shaikh applied pressure, the H. J. Antia trainee started hanging and tasted defeat for one more time this season.
Towards the end of the day, jockey K. P. G. Appu was made to work hard by Tagamet to complete a popular treble for Mansoor Shah. Tagamet landed the spoils but not before outwitting Champion Reef close home. Comment Allez Vous came flying towards the end to peg back Champion Reef and Black Falcon.
Trainer Mansoor Shah’s celebrations were cut short by the RWITC stewards, who found him guilty of breaching their notice issued on January 5 this year regarding the improved performances of horses. The trainer’s license of Mansoor Shah has been suspended from July 19 to October 19, 2001.
Wine N’ Song upset the fancied duo of Cruel Intention and Femme Fatale in the last race. The six-year-old mare came through the shortest way home and held on gamely towards the end to keep Femme Fatale at bay. Cruel Intention finished a tame third ahead of Heaven Sent.
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