Apprentice R.K. Mahesh’s drama overshadows Eclipse Stakes
By Usman Rangila
February 15, 2004
For the third successive Sunday this month there was a high competitive quotient visible in the card which included the Eclipse Stakes of India, sponsored for the third year in running by R.R. Oomerbhoy Pvt. Ltd. The rare magnanimous gesture of the Oomerbhoy family, which did not restrict itself to sponsoring the group two race, saw three other events being sponsored by them. Barring the first two races in the card, the number of participants in the other five events was exceptionally high and, not surprisingly, there was a remarkable increase in the gross collections of both the combined jackpot pool and the super jackpot pool. Some food for thought this for the RWITC think-tank?
The Jaggy Dhariwal trainee Adolfito, sporting the famed colours of Dr Vijay Mallya, claimed the RRO Eclipse Stakes in a start-to-finish mission and also took sweet revenge over his erstwhile conqueror Radical Force. Since Dr Mallya’s retainer Pesi Shroff would’ve had to carry an overweight astride the chestnut son of Tejano, who was to carry 50kg on his back, jockey S. Rajesh was summoned from Bangalore.
Running without the cross-nose-band and blinkers on this occasion, Adolfito was quickly off from the barriers and called a merry tune to his nine rivals all the way. Although Radical Force, Star of Windsor and Glensanda took turns in throwing the gauntlet at Adolfito in the home stretch, the chestnut went streaking clear of his rivals when Rajesh put him in top gear. The change in strategy adopted by the connections of Glensanda in trying to race from behind didn’t work as the Placerville progeny appeared to be all at sea. Both Radical Force, who rallied late, and Star of Windsor were simply out-handicapped by the winner. The latter, however, has the potential to shine when meeting his opponents on equal terms.
Punters were on a rampage as the public choices ran true to form to a certain extent. Imtiaz Sait-saddled Speed was the lone exception as the filly failed to improve on her previous run. The more experienced Fiery Future, hailing from the yards of Magansingh Jodha, landed the spoils as Speed was unable to cope with the onslaught unleashed by him.
Hosidar Daji-groomed Star Destiny had earlier kicked off the marauding spree of the moneybags as his four rivals failed to hold him back in the opening event. Later, Rehanullah Khan’s ward Blue Devil, after playing truant as a favourite in both his previous outings, finally chose to discard his devious schemes. Blue Devil was ably steered to victory on this occasion by Naill McCullagh. Nota Bene, Bionic Angel and Storm Alert were not disgraced when following the favourite home. Nota Bene came across a better one; Bionic Angel found the trip a bit sharp while Storm Alert was alerted to her task late.
Tuned to the moment by her master Cooji Katrak, the three-year-old filly Rivage (Greensmith-Virginia Princess) found her saddle partner P. Kamlesh a compliment in saddle as she drew away from the pack at the turn and stayed put for her maiden victory. Jockey Zameer Sayyed astride Don Surti- schooled Caring, who ended up playing second fiddle, appeared content in enjoying the sight of the rear anatomy of Rivage but for which he would’ve surely given the favourite a run for her money. Mehmaan ran a good third considering this was his debut run and should benefit from this experience. Strength And Honor and Princess Charming both found their footing late and appear better suited for longer trips. Joint favourite High Opinion languished at the wrong end of the field for most of the way and was seen gathering steam rather late.
The flashy dark bay gelding Dunbar (Sir Bruce-Caleche) proved too good for his fancied rivals Special One and Heroism in the Primio Trophy. Veteran Bajrang Singh, astride the resident from Bezan Chenoy’s barns, displayed his acumen and consciously averted any possible traffic snarls when he pulled Dunbar out from the inner rails where he was racing in the initial stages of the race. Dunbar produced a sparkling run to measure the early leader Keytothevaults and it was plain sailing for him thereafter.
The drama witnessed in the last race of the day overshadowed the earlier proceedings. Apprentice R.K. Mahesh, who was suspended for his alleged offence on Special One at the start of this season and resumed his saddle duties late last month due to the kind courtesy of the RWITC Board of Appeal, found himself in the dock once again. Mahesh, allegedly, didn’t do justice to the Don Surti- trained favourite Montana.
The favourite, who usually goes to the front, dropped back to the fifth position as Ameerat took charge of the running and Mahesh made his move only when the winner Fair ‘N’ Square had established a commanding lead. Montana, eventually, ended just three-parts of a length away. The Narendra Lagad-saddled Fair ‘N’ Square, incidentally, had run twice before in Class IV without creating a flutter. Having opted to run in the lower class, there was a flood of money that came gushing towards Fair ‘N’ Square, who was bang on target for his connections.
Even the RWITC stipes seemed aghast with the impunity with which Mahesh seemed to have gone about doing his business. Only last week, it may be recalled, the RWITC Stewards of the Club had come down heavily on the apprentice for not allowing Dras to run on its merits and his riding license was suspended till October 2004 pending another appeal before the RWITC Board of Appeal. It would be interesting to see the reaction of the appeal board members when Mahesh reappears before them shortly with a fresh plea.
