Reign of Fire, Stunning Force keep Antia's bull-run going 
By Usman Rangila

Mumbai
May 14, 2004

The shock victory of Persian Lord and the drastic improvement in the form of Captivated didn't create any flutters as four clear favourites had their say in the card of seven through which the six-month long Mumbai racing season came to an end. The bull-run of Hormuz Antia continued as he saddled two winners in the form of Reign of Fire and Stunning Force, who were popular among the followers of big money.

Digital from the yards of Don Surti kicked off the concluding day's card by recording a comfortable victory over Bachelor. Top-weighted Montana called the early shots as his fancied barn-mate was settled beautifully behind him by Neeral Rawal. There was no change in the position till the field began their final journey for home. As soon as all the runners were off their bridle, the four-year-old dark bay gelding Digital, who was backed to the exclusion of his five rivals, was set alight by Neeraj. The son of Diffident stretched out magnificently although the aged Bachelor tried to intimidate him.

The four-year-old chestnut filly Captivated, who failed to make it to the judges’ frame in all her seven runs this season, seemed to have sprouted wings when entrusted to K.P.G. Appu on this occasion. Both Heart Throb and Oh God, the highly fancied duo in this race, proved easy fodder for the daughter of Green Forest who was saddled by Mansoor Shah.

Faisal Abbas-saddled mare Nice One Claire gave another speedy display as if to prove that her last-outing success was no flash-in-the-pan. The Balla Jidaal-progeny was quickly off from the barriers and was never troubled by her rivals as S. Sunil pressed home the advantage. Favourite Action Zone ran well below par despite managing to finish second ahead of See No Evil. Both Faisal and Suni got a bonus winner through Persian Lord, who got the seven-furlong trip with ease but to the shock of the students of form. Money poured in on Dr Anil Kumar-trained Lord of Thunder as the support for Zante and Uber Alles waned in the betting ring. The seven-year-old bay failed to oblige as he struggled to find his rhythm in vain. Meanwhile Persian Lord made gradual progress and shot ahead of Uber Alles and stayed clear of the late finishing Castle Beauty. Lord of Thunder ended a tame fourth.

Antia showed great acumen when he replaced Osprey with Reign of Fire in the Racing Journalists’ Trophy after the race had been declared void at the acceptance stage. The daughter of Greensmith had no difficulty whatsoever in measuring the frontrunners headed by Forever Sunshine and claimed the honours with authority over Dancing Mystery and Forever Sunshine.

Luck plays a major role in every form of success and Antia had that stroke of luck going his way when Stunning Force survived the onslaught of Long John in the Trainers’ Trophy. Even Viva Candy would've turned the tables on the winner had her saddle-partner Pradeep Chouhan not embroiled himself in the mess towards the closing stages of the race. Stunning Force, to the sheer delight of his supporters in the betting arena, escaped the clutches of both Long John and Viva Candy. Long John was seperated by a head from the winner with Viva Candy half a length away.

Dr Anil Kumar had done a beautiful job in patching up the unsound but fashionably bred Sauvignon which helped the six-year-old gelding clear the outstanding bills. The bay offspring of Placerville was ridden off the pace by A.R. Mani, who opted to stick close to the rails waiting for an opportunity to make his bid. Sauvignon found the shortest way home and was driven hard by Mani to land the spoils. Solidarity and Yvresse followed the winner home.