Adapting himself to the new role wasn't too difficult for him and it
won't be overstating the facts to mention that he seems to have the
Midas touch. His success has been phenomenal to say the least and he has
gone from strength to strength adding one classic feather after another
to Ramaswamy's cap.
No prizes for guessing the identity of the man whom we are talking
about. He is none other than S.Ganapathy whose headquarters are located
in Bangalore.
After Dallas Todywalla's exit from Ramaswamy's camp earlier this year,
an additional responsibility of training horses in Western India fell on
Ganapathy's shoulders. Being one of the few trusted lieutenants in
Ramaswamy's legion meant that Ganapathy didn't have the luxury to
grumble. Regardless, this soft-spoken professional has instead gone
ahead and accepted his new responsibility as a challenge.
Aware that he will always be under the scanner in the new surroundings,
Ganapathy has been assiduously tried to safeguard the reputation of
being a match-winner. If the results of the past week are of any
consequence, Ganapathy's reputation remains intact and is not likely to
be harmed in the near future.
He has carried out just five assignments in his short stay here but
Ganapathy has reaped four winners. His latest winner was Ruben Star
(Placerville- Forest Fantasy), who won the prestigious F.D.Wadia
Trophy (Grade 2) in taking style. Although the margin of victory may
flatter runner-up Nimble Feet, the fact remains that had Ruben Star not
only responded gallantly to the adversity imposed on him by the
interference he met mid-way through the seven-furlong journey, he
definitely altered the course of an imminent eventuality that would been
unpalatable for many.
As his contribution, B. Prakash proved that he is made of sterner stuff
than what his down-to-earth persona reveals. Prakash extricated Ruben
Star from the mess like a captain would rescue his ship from disaster
and then essayed his challenge from the outer edge of the monsoon track
to avoid further obstacles. Ruben Star's final burst consumed Nimble
Feet on the post. Both Count Du Monet and Escravos were not disgraced in
this defeat and live to fight for yet another day.
Evatina, Ruben Star's barn-mate, had a relatively easy passage to
victory in the Class I Squanderer Trophy. The daughter of Placerville
out of Abbess had apparently emerged from the dark shadows of that
controversial outing at Bangalore last month and gave a thrashing to her
five rivals. One Way tried to make it start-to-finish but was no match
for Evatina's power surge.
Earlier, as they entered for the final run-in, Malesh Narredu opted to
bring Count Du Monet home through the shortest route. Escravos was
racing just ahead of Pesi Shroff's candidate at that stage. The two
steeds then held centre stage and fought a fierce battle. Count Du Monet
managed to overpower Escravos but lacked the acceleration required to
steal a march. Meanwhile Nimble Feet gathered momentum and almost
stunned the crowd before Ruben Star stormed on to the scene amid loud
cheers from his supporters.
Elsewhere during the day, Narendra Lagad led in a popular double to
wrest both the divisions of the Sub-Area Commander's Trophy. Alamshaara
(Key of Luck - Alidade), the shortest priced runner of the day, was one
of them. C. Rajendra had no real skills to employ astride the got-abroad
filly who measured front-runner Incomparable with consummate ease close
home. Ganador took Babita by surprise with his late charge to deny the
latter a paying slot on the judges' board. Lady Trooper finished fifth
without being stretched by apprentice Dashrath Singh.
Stunning Star (Storm Trooper - Gironde), who escaped harsh treatment
from the handicapper on account of her neck victory over Accessible on
the opening day. The pattern remained the same as S.N.Chavan took the
chestnut filly in front and stayed put comfortably disregarding the
bluff of The Rising. Keytothevaults and Te Quiero followed them home.
The day started on an ominous for the punters when Premier Star lost
precious ground at the start and then Atmosphere clipped the heels of
Jubilation. These three horses attracted all the money in the betting
market. Jubilation seized the initiative but capitulated meekly before
Cosmos (Placerville - Cosmic Energy), the rig recently purchased by
trainer Subhag Singh and who rallied positively in response to Nirmal
Jodha's call.
C. Rajendra ridden Leonora (Placerville - Queen Ann) provided Imtiaz
Sait his solitary winner when the filly took charge of the running and
successfully kept Jolteon at bay right from the word go. Favourite Fall
of the Hammer continued with her disastrous outings and even managed to
avoid the judges' frame on this occasion. Britney started galloping when
it hardly to those who lost bets on her and only gained a minor berth.
The day ended exactly the same way as it began when Sangramsingh Joshi's
grey ward Sam Aldo (Joint Account - Chanelle) who finished with a
flourish to foil the intentions of another outsider The Praetorian near
the post. Art of War another Pesi Shroff trainee to bite dust ended a
tame third ahead of Vedic Chants, the stable-mate of the winner who was
content keeping away from the spotlight. Duke of Ellington was a rage
with the moneybags but he flattered to deceive. The Great Pansy wandered
aimlessly after losing her way in the bookie's ring.
