Fond Fantasy scrapes through
By Sharan Kumar

Mysore
August 22, 2003

The victory of favourite Fond Fantasy in the Gr 3 Nanoli Stud Million was considered a foregone conclusion but the daughter of Razeen did not win in the manner expected. Much to the chagrin of the supporters of Fond Fantasy, the three-year old filly was continuously swishing her tail and though she did pass the front-running One Magic Moment rather comfortably, she was grinding to a halt when Son Of The Light came up with big strides. The winning post came too soon for the runner up who ran green but served notice of better things to come. 

Fond Fantasy (B Prakash up) winner of the Nanoli Stud Million (Grade III) being led in by trainer Robert Foley.

Trainer Robert Foley receiving the Nanoli Stud Million (Grade III) trophy.

There is no doubt that Fond Fantasy will be hard to toss in the Mysore 1000 Guineas and the extended trip should see her regain her old sparkle. As for as Son Of The Light is concerned, he can only improve because this was only his second run and he is still to mature. One Magic Moment has stamina limitations and though she could have finished closer than she did as Fond Fantasy hampered her progress by squeezing the passage along the rails which caused her jockey Srinath to check his mount and change course. Prakash was slapped a fine of Rs 2000 for causing interference to Srinath and earlier to Appu who was He’s So Fine. 

Fond Fantasy’s credentials to win the Million which was the star event of Friday's races, were impeccable. Having won the Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes and finished second behind stablemate Glorious Colours in the Gr 1 Kingfisher Derby, the Razeen filly towered over the field. There was some expectation of a possible close finish, as One Magic Moment turned out at the paddock parade in tremendous condition. Son of The Light had his own share of supporters. Srinath took One Magic Moment on a start to finish mission, with Crown Royal and Fond Fantasy in close attendance while Son of The Light was in the rear group. Rounding the final bend, Fond Fantasy accelerated tremendously and overhauled One Magic Moment, Prakash in the process also blocking the passage of the latter. Fond Fantasy shaped to win decisively but Son of the Light, who ran green, shifting out before being straightened, picked up momentum close home and came with raking strides only to miss the berth by half a length. The son of Bee’s Prospector will surely be contender in the 2000 Guineas on the basis of this run if shows the same rate of progress. There has been a significant improvement from his debut run to the run in the Million. 

Pesi Shroff had an armchair ride to victory on favourite Castle Park in the Y R Puttannaiah Memorial Gold Cup, a race for horses rated 30 to 45, the supporting event of the day. Winner of the Nanoli Million in Bangalore last year, Castle Park hadn’t moved up in the handicap scale as much as she was expected to. She was left to tackle a modest opposition. After tracking Snow Deer into the straight, Shroff let Castle Park take charge inside the final 300 metres and the daughter of Diffident sailed ahead without much fuss and won with something to spare. With Shroff easing up Castle Park, Snow Deer closed in the gap considerably but the verdict of one and a quarter lengths was only flattering the runner up. Axe finished on well to be a noteworthy third.

Jockey Harish has been going great guns this season. Ever since he returned from South Africa midway through the Bangalore Summer Season, the talented jockey has been winning a bagful of races. He stole the limelight by booting home a treble. At least two of them were achieved with the jockey’s contribution being significant. Sunny Spice was the betting rage but the son of Young Senor failed to collar stablemate Special Request who had the first run on his opponents. Harish tactfully drove out Special Request to stave off Sunny Spice on whom Rakesh went all out, including using the whip with excessive frequency. Harish earlier guided Deanston to a narrow win over Ithica and Brave Persian. Deanston lacked early speed and appeared to be in a hopeless position inside the final furlong but Harish managed to get the desired response in the nick of time to win close home. Harish ended the day with a treble, winning on favourite Musky Bird in the concluding race of the day. 

Castle Park (Pesi Shroff up) winner of the Y R Puttannaiah Memorial Gold Cup being led in by trainer R R Byramji.

God’s Gift recorded an encore, edging out favourite Braid Hills in a keenly contested race with Star Diamond finishing a lethargic third. Silver Cat was backed to the exclusion of his rivals though the grey gelding had not done anything significant. It was always on card that one from the formidable gold and brown brigade would beat the favourite should any one of them showed inclination. New Reality did that when giving jockey Narasimha one of those elusive wins. Royal Tarlair pushed Silver Cat to the third spot. In the day’s opener, the well-supported Park Street fought out resolutely with Towering Success to land the spoils in the hands of apprentice Christopher. Towering Success picked up momentum close home but failed to get the nod by a whisker. He may relish more ground.