Sport of Kings goes through its motions at Mahalaxmi
As the Sport of the Kings went through its motions at Mahalaxmi, the number of runners in several races among the thirteen conducted during the week were barely sufficient to prevent them from being declared void at acceptance stage. There was no mad scramble to earn precious stake money by many of runners in other events where the participation was seemingly good. Looking at the number of horses involved at the finish, it was obvious that many of the runners were simply out for an airing.
Big names like Pesi Shroff and Malesh Narredu continued to keep away from the saddle whereas C. Rajendra found trainers reluctant to trust him with their mounts as he has been deprived the use of the whip for the remainder of the season. In this scenario, jockey P. Kamlesh and youngsters Yogender Singh and Neeraj Rawal continued to make merry. Towfeeq Shaikh and Vikram Jodha also managed to pick a winner each.
Trainers Mansingh Jadhav and Imtiaz Sait took a gamble in engaging Rajendra atop Shining Star and Capture The Moment respectively. Their gamble, however, didn’t pay off. As it turned out, both Shining Star and Capture The Moment weren’t able to perform true to their ability and Rajendra sorely missed the possession of his whip which was quite evident from response these two horses gave when asked for an effort. Mansingh failed in his mission to prove a point or two to the racing fraternity with his charge Shining Star as the Wattlefield progeny lost a couple of lengths at the gates itself. It may be recalled that Shining Star had lost to Heroism in a close finish when ridden by Zameer Sayyed last week subsequent to which the trainer reported his displeasure to the stipes. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Zameer has got away with a fine of Rs. 5000 for his misdemeanour.
Trainer Bezan Chenoy, who is facing imminent suspension after the confirmatory sample of his charge Adams Beauty also returned positive, is making full use of the time he has on his hands before the RWITC Stewards can decide his fate. The veteran professional increased his tally through the five-year-old mare Ladybank, who won at nourishing odds after receiving a confident ride from apprentice Neeraj Rawal. The daughter of Steinbeck out of Oiseau De Guerre galloped resolutely in the straight to overhaul leader Incomparable opposite the stands. Shining Star never recovered after a slow start.
Capture The Moment went down to Temple Tune by a narrow margin after failing to respond to the fervour attempts of the whipless Rajendra. Temple Tune made the entire running in the hands of rookie Towfeeq and held on to her task as Classy Devil and Capture The Moment made a futile attempt to catch her.
Four horses ridden by P. Kamlesh were in great demand in the seven-race card on Saturday. Kamlesh managed to steer Narrator and Rigged to victories but he was forced to play second fiddle astride Magical Sunset and Victory Queen. Kamlesh found R.K. Mahesh-piloted Ballynahinch succumbing to his onslaught at the post while Rigged outsmarted Divine Protocol in the home stretch. Magical Sunset was not really geared up for the start after she threw tantrums at the gates and lost precious ground in the process.
Faisal Abbas’ candidate Goodness Gracious produced another speedy display to show a clean pair of heels to her rivals on her way to her second straight success. Magical Sunset ended a tame second followed by Corsican Gal and the disoriented Dominique. Magansingh Jodha-saddled Power Zone flat-footed his opponents by going wire to wire under the guidance of Vikram Jodha. Victory Queen rallied well in the closing stages but had to bite the dust despite Kamlesh’s “chivalrous” riding display.
Robert D’Mellow, who is back in action after serving a suspension for drug abuse at Mysore, failed to create any ripples on resuming his duties in Western India. Where Eagles Dare and Charlie Parker both saddled by Robert D’Mellow, and ridden by Satish Nayak, had a good chance to win but destiny had willed otherwise. Where Eagles Dare loitered at the tail end till the horses entered for the final run-in and ended a reluctant third behind winner Bhanuja and runner-up Serendipity. Favourite Stravinska limped back after being in contention till the last furlong after which Mark Gallagher stopped riding her.
Charlie Parker went down to favourite Babita on Sunday. The former appeared to be in sight of a winning comeback but his rider hardly showed any enthusiasm in the saddle and appeared content to follow Babita home. Satish Nayak lodged an unsuccessful objection against the winner and but may’ve succeeded in his primary motive of putting the stipes off his trail.
Lesser fancied Grey Storm and Rare Edition returned triumphant in the first two events on Sunday. The former had a decisive lead when the horses came into view for the last time and stayed out of reach of his main rival favourite Queen’s Special. Rare Edition unleashed a powerful run down the straight after a slow beginning and won warding off from Texas King, Tribal Warrior and the late finishing Moonlight Fantasy.
Stunning Force obliged his connections and also his horde of supporters after taking charge of the running close home from Chasing Destiny. Favourite Ramada drifted out of a straight course when P. Kamlesh applied pressure and finished far behind the winner. Ramada is reported to have bled during the race.
Jaggy Dhariwal saddled filly Class N Style lived up to her name when making a winning debut in the Alarming Plate. The chestnut daughter of Burden of Proof out of Indian Style lay a handy second till the final two furlongs and stormed away from her rivals when given her head by Harish, who replaced Malesh Narredu in the saddle. Vrikodara finished a faraway second.
