Fears about Stage Craft’s staying ability come true in Idar Gold Trophy 

By Usman Rangila

Pune
Oct 01, 2004

Winning a race in the highest class in just the third career start is a no mean achievement for any horse. When an Indian thoroughbred achieves a feat of this sort, ardent racegoers go bonkers over this awesome performance and racing pundits are forced to sit up and take notice of him. Similar was the outlook when Dr Vijay Mallya owned Stage Craft won a Class I race at Bangalore at the fag end of his summer campaign in July this year. 

Bred as full brother to the superb miler Wild Eagle, Stage Craft overcame every setback suffered as juvenile to make a winning debut in Class IV in early June. Later on, the Jaggy Dhariwal protégé defied the handicapper by winning two races on a trot, one in Class II and another in Class I. It was established beyond doubt that this son of Don’t Forget Me out of Tsar Maiden carried a stamp of class. Stage Craft was slated to run in the Southern Command Trophy, a mile-and-a-quarter event held in late August, before the vagaries of a long road journey took its toll on the bay four-year-old gelding.

Barring an odd instance, it is a proven fact that the Don’t Forget Me progeny is found wanting on stamina when tested beyond a mile-and-a-quarter trip. That, however, did not discourage the connections of Stage Craft from racing him in the Idar Gold Trophy (Gr.3) run over the derby distance. The bubble of expectancy burst as the limitations of Stage Craft as a stayer got exposed.

Glensanda (I Chisty Up) Winner of The Idar Gold Trophy (GR.3)

Presentation Ceremony of The Idar Gold Trophy

Khushroo Dhunjibhoy owned Glensanda went streaking into the lead as the starter’s flag came down and one thought that she was setting the pace for her barn-mate Decent Proposal. Meanwhile, Simply Supreme waged a grim battle for nearly two-thirds of the journey with B. Prakash, who just about managed to keep the Indian Invitation Cup winner on a tight leash. Stage Craft was racing a handy third thereabout with Road Runner in close tow.

C. Rajendra asked Stage Craft for an effort when Glensanda entered the home stretch followed by Simply Supreme. Stage Craft groped for the elusive momentum even as Decent Proposal began rallying on the outside. Finding Glensanda in a defiant mood, Imran Chisty spurred her confidently and found the winning post coming to his rescue as danger was looming large in the form of Decent Proposal. A mere head separated the two horses sent out by Vinayak, who prefers to keep a low profile despite his prolific success. Simply Supreme was always poised to launch his assault but Prakash couldn’t locate the trigger. Digesting this run would no doubt be very difficult for the admirers of Simply Supreme however it deserves to be taken with a pinch of salt. The RWITC Invitational Trophy, to be run towards the end of this season, appears to be the obvious target of Simply Supreme. Stage Craft was not disgraced in this defeat and could rise from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix when he races next over a shorter distance.

Soul Mountain (P Kamlesh Up) Winner of The Multirosa Trophy

The piping-hot favourite Soul Mountain won many hearts and minds with his second straight victory. The immaculately bred son of Placerville out of Haunting Beauty, whose career was threatened by a hock problem, gave another fabulous performance in the Multirosa Trophy. The Cooji Katrak saddled Soul Mountain encountered a few traffic snarls along the seven-furlong journey but that was hardly a matter of concern for his saddle-partner P. Kamlesh. Soul Mountain skilfully eluded the minefield and was never off the bridle for even a moment. Lara Croft, after lying at the wrong end of the field initially, covered good ground towards the end stages of the race to finish a game second ahead of Sixty Seconds and Liesl.

The punters fraternity were let down by Star Forrester in the curtain raiser but trainer Dallas Todywalla and jockey B. Prakash compensated them with a quick-fire double through Star Aviation and Solar Flower. Star Forrester raised many eyebrows when he dropped out of contention at the final turn to end a miserable fourth. Amyn Merchant-ridden Where Eagles Dare swooped down on Brezhnev in the straight and the Robert D’Mellow trainee surged clear of his rivals for a convincing victory. Narrator gave a listless show and looks to have embarked on a weight-reducing mission.

Where Eagles Dare (Merchant Up) winner of The Replican Plate

Presentation Ceremony of The Nava Ratna Trophy

But for the courtesy accorded by the rider of Sugar N Spice, Star Aviation was doomed for disaster. The Altaf Hussain ward relished running in front and refused to make any concessions for her rider Imran Shaikh which sent a chill down his spine. Instead of looking up towards the heavens, Imran glanced over his shoulders more than once to see where his "saviour" was. Hard-ridden by B. Prakash, Star Aviation arrived just in the nick of time to relieve Sugar N Spice of her misery. Imran Chisty-steered Mint Master’s gingerly approach saved some blushes for the moneybags too. Likewise, Liesl with C. Rajendra on board surrendered meekly before Solar Flower in the next race. Ridden by none other than R. Rupesh, Rainbow Shine’s late flourish made little difference to the final outcome.

Astute handling by Malesh Narredu was the singular factor that enabled second favourite Naaina to shed her maiden status. The Magansingh Jodha saddled filly was inclined to veer out in the home stretch but Malesh maintained a firm grip and encouraged Naaina to stretch out. Great Alliance let down a large following, which was totally unwarranted in the first place. Soon afterwards, C. Rajendra had an armchair ride atop Starlite whose task was made a shade easy by Falaknuma who, for no apparent reason, took a long lead in the early part of the race. Majestic Vision tried in vain to conjure up a fight against Starlite, who proved too good for everybody.

Naaina (M Narredu Up) winner of The Mohawk Trophy

Capt Jamshed J Appoo & Sunil Jhangiani with The MultiRosa Trophy

Star Aviation (B Prakash Up) Winner of The Nava Ratna Trophy

Solar Flower (B Prakash Up) Winner of The K.Raghunath Plate