CLEAN SWEEP BY TRAINERS OF PARSI COMMUNITY ON THEIR NEW YEAR EVE!

There have been very few occasions when veteran Rashid Byramji has set out on a mission that remains unaccomplished. On this occasion he arrived with The Music Man from Bangalore to take on some of the good type of Western India based youngsters in the F. D. Wadia Trophy (Grade 2) on Sunday. The outcome was not surprising. The Music Man (Distinctly North – Isola) accomplished the mission, winning the prestigious event in great style despite conceding weight to his adversaries.  Through this race, there was a lesson or two in ‘`how to place your wards and win big events’' for the young Western India-based trainers to learn from Rashid Byramji.

In a rare coincidence, trainers belonging to the Parsi community, which is celebrating their New Year on Monday, saddled all the seven winners on Sunday! Nirad Karanjawala led in a pair through Jonty’s Pal and Arvana. Rashid Byramji, Bezan Chenoy, Hormuz Antia, Dallas Todywalla and Sarosh Mody saddled a winner each. C. Ruzaan rode a fine brace in Jonty’s Pal and The Music Man.

Deep Blue, a winner on debut and  a half-sister to the likes Super Brave and Priceless Asset, was installed the firm favourite to win the main event. Though Deep Blue had spurted well, her final gallop wasn't impressive. And that perhaps made the difference in the end as Deep Blue, after making all the front-running, wobbled under pressure and   faded out at the all important end.

Jockey Rajeev Pandey, given the responsibility of guiding Deep Blue again, took charge of the running at the start and led the field till the final furlong. Here Rajeev put the gun on Deep Blue’s head asking her to thwart the challenge of The Music Man. The filly failed to keep a straight course forcing her panic-stricken rider to make use of the whip on her. The desired response never came as The Music Man swooped down on her to go away for a stylish victory. Jockey C. Ruzaan was a picture of confidence astride The Music tMan and rode the winner with great aplomb.

Finishing with good purpose towards the end were Princess Xena and Anagram who ended second and third respectively behind The Music Man. Before taking the shortest route home, My Blue Moon traveled all over the place and ended a close fourth. Gironde ran far below expectations to finish sixth, a length and three parts behind Deep Blue.  Shashi Gopal of Magnasound fame owns The Music Man who is bred at the Galloping Acres Stud Farms.

Unfancied Jonty’s Pal made short work of his three rivals in the Timeless Beauty Plate run over the derby trip. Favourite Russian Czar packed his bags much before entering the straight. That’s Momentum flattered briefly and was no match for the winner who zoomed ahead for an effortless win.

The reports circulating in the racecourse about favourite Helianthus (Alnasr Alwasheek-Troika) being a "choker" sent her odds rocketing up from ante post 10 to 5 on to 5 to 4 against by the time the runners reached the starting gates. That, however, did not stop the daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek from registering an emphatic victory over Mariazella. Dalsinghar became another White Crown progeny to gobble the punters hard earned money.

Those who were able to detect a pattern in the running of Hormuz Antia’s winners this season, picked the right one in Knight Moves who accelerated tremendously in the straight to win from Park Royal. A weak set allowed Heartbreaker to register his maiden success. Hearts In Motion found her galloping shoes at last and flew across the length of the homestretch to humble favourite Very Beautiful and Voice of Freedom.

The bookies were sent on a leather hunt on Saturday as six winners in the card of seven races were all backed with enthusiasm by the followers of big money. Silver Rock was the only exception who gave a breather to the battered turf accountants.

Mallesh Narredu-ridden Yukon (Cristofori-Confiture) returned victorious with a slender margin over Crowning Moment (Tecorno-Save The Future) in the opening event. The downfall of Crowning Moment in this race was marked by an uncharacteristic display of riding by champion jockey C. Rajendra. Showing early daylight to the runner-up, Rajendra took over the running early in the straight before giving in rather meekly to Yukon.

Dominant Force was a runaway winner of the Potential Champion Trophy in the hands of B. Prakash. Runaway Bay's best seems to be behind him. Altiama also met little resistance as he overcame Orange King and Legendary Lover and earned an overdue bracket.

In a lively tussle Mark Gallagher-ridden Machrihanish (Razeen-Prima Facie) was edged out by Sedona (Don’t Forget Me-Stop It Dear) who was aided by the powerful finishing efforts of C. Rajendra. The same rider then partnered Tazo (Don’t’Forget Me-Native Habitat) to carve a narrow win over Shirley Valentine. Failing to get the smoothest of starts, Shirley Valentine with Mallesh Narredu  in saddle lost precious ground at the start and that contributed largely to his defeat. Discarding blinkers paid off for Suresh Chavan's  Peace March who sprinted away for a wire to wire victory over Raise A Toast.