Stage Craft out erase the bitter memories of his last-outing defeat by lifting the RWITC Invitational Trophy 
By Usman Rangila

Pune
Oct 31, 2004

Will class have its say in the RWITC Invitational Trophy (Grade 2), the last of the big events of the Pune racing season 2004 and which will be run on the concluding day. A field of twelve horses will vie for prime honours in this prestigious race. Going strictly by the terms of the race, the finish should be confined to Protégé, Simply Supreme and Kanthara. However, the claims of Londoner, Glensanda and more importantly Stage Craft’s cannot be ignored at any cost.

Stage Craft’s ascension to the highest class has been meteoric to say the least. Bred as full brother to that enterprising miler Wild Eagle, Stage Craft started his career late but did so with a bang at Bangalore during the last summer. The bay gelding came out on the racetrack on just three occasions and defied the handicapper twice after his maiden victory. The four-year-old gelding tasted his first career defeat in the Idar Gold Trophy run early this month.

Stage Craft (Suraj Narredu up)

The blemish on Stage Craft’s brilliant career canvas may’ve appeared due to the mile-and-a-half trip being beyond his compass and also because he suffered a minor setback en route to Pune from Bangalore. Nonetheless, it must be mentioned here, Stage Craft ran just within two lengths of the eventual winner Glensanda. Stage Craft lives to fight for yet another day and he will be out to prove his superiority. Pesi Shroff would’ve certainly liked to guide the fortunes of Stage Craft as he bids adieu to a glorious career as a saddle-artist in India. Yet, the handicap does not permit Pesi to fulfil his ambition. Stage Craft has been entrusted to Imran Chisty.

Dallas Todywalla’s candidate Simply Supreme was not overtly interested in both his two outings this season but he might have saved his best for this occasion and a big performance looks guaranteed. Jockey B. Prakash will steer Simply Supreme.

Protégé, the surprise winner of the Indian St. Leger, has run just once during this season and his chances look very slim. Jockey Y. S. Srinath has been given the task of piloting Cooji Katrak’s ward. Kanthara is easily the best horse to be saddled by Cooji in this event and will be one of the fancied contenders. But whether Kanthara can tackle the mile-and-a-quarter journey remains doubtful. Jockey Suraj Narredu fills in the void left by his uncle Malesh atop Kanthara. Londoner also from Cooji’s barns figures prominently in the list of frontline contenders but her impact will be felt only if her last-outing success is not a flash-in-the-pan. Champion rider C. Rajendra gets to ride Londoner. 

Glensanda, who ran wire-to-wire in the Idar Gold Trophy, is capable of surprising once again and remains a live threat to all. Jockey P. Kamlesh will be seen in action astride Glensanda, who hails from the yards of trainer Vinayak.