As for Mystical himself, he was both unaware and unconcerned about this
perception. Like a true athlete he understood that so long as he
performed to the best of his ability, views and opinions hardly
mattered.
Jockey B. Prakash settled Mystical in the fifth slot while his
stable-mate Admiral’s Force was pushed by M.R.Singh to hit the front.
The latter set a scorching pace and wrapped up his act at the turn where
Suraj Narredu atop Cromwell seized the opportunity but his hopes were
short-lived as Holding Court bounded forward.
Before Martin Dwyer could step on the gas, Mystical arrived all guns
blazing. Although there was no panic situation, Prakash put his head
down and kept up the pressure on Mystical. The son of Alnasr
Alwasheek strode away magnificently to win his maiden classic in record
time. Aquilo's aggression lasted for a while
before Amazing Power came with a late run. Cooji Katrak grabbed all the
three minor places as Velvet Rope ran on to fill the frame.
Ganapathy was ecstatic as his labour of love had paid off and is
confident that Mystical, with the 2000 Guineas under his belt, can get the Derby trip. S.Padmanabhan was
seemingly disappointed with Holding Court’s show. The Kingfisher
Bangalore Summer Derby winner has now lost twice in quick succession.
Troubling indeed for any professional but Padmanabhan was optimistic
nonetheless. According to him, Holding Court lives to fight for another
day. He also said that he has kept open the option of running Holding
Court in the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Cup (Gr.2) before the Derby.
The Indian Derby is still another seven weeks away, but the excitement
has already begun. Barely had Mystical passed the winning post in the
2000 Guineas, before racegoers started questioning his ability to stay
the 2400-metre derby trip. Will Amazing Power or Aquilo turn the tables on him?
Can Holding Court rise again? This guessing game will go on till the
D-day, the first Sunday of February.
Martin Dwyer who was flown-in for Holding Court had a miserable day in
the saddle. Apart from Holding Court, three other fancied horses, Black
Warrior, Naval Academy and Brindisi, were entrusted to him but none
obliged.
Trainer Bharath Singh, who recently shifted base to Western India after
finding a new patron in Harish Mehta, aspired to start his new innings
with a
couple of wins. Black Warrior was his first hope but weight proved to be
his undoing. The Saeed Shah saddled filly True Beauty (Concordial-Vinho
Verde) came with a dazzling run to overpower the aged Millennium King
and was home and dry before Black Warrior could intimidate her. Teaser
moved in late to earn some precious stakes. Make a note of Force Nine,
who failed to get a clear run and ended a close fifth in the hands of
Mansoor Khan.
Trainer Hanut Singh brought off a nice coup with Mint Master (Duja-
Mariana) where favourite Naval Academy with Dwyer astride made no show.
Jockey I. Shaikh logged in a rare win as he powered Mint Master to gain
control over Storm Alert. The rest were simply not in the hunt.
Brindisi also failed to grace the finish after being interfered.
The Rehanullah Khan trained Love And Be Loved (Warrshan-The Rule)
notched the second win of her career after Vikram Walkar gave her a
confident ride. Romantic Ridge was the best of the beaten brigade.
Irishman Colm O’Donoghue registered a back-to-back double in a
workman-like fashion right at the day’s beginning. He faced traffic
problems in the straight aboard the half-money favourite Nectar Jewel
(Placerville-Million Girl) but it ceased to be a contest once the bay
gelding found an opening between Only For Don and Great Giver. Shiraz
Sunderji’s candidate drew away from Indian Fashion and has the ability
to repeat.
The Irish rider then inspired Star Divine (Alnasr Alwasheek-Amatory),
who lay last at the final bend, to unleash a powerful in the straight.
Bezan Chenoy’s ward rallied on well to divest Belle Chose of the race.
Passion warmed up late as usual and ended third ahead of favourite
Sphinx.
Mallesh Narredu-driven Premier Star (Placerville-Star Spangled) from
Imtiaz Sait’s yard survived a major scare from second favourite Empire
Star and fortunately for the punters scraped through by a whisker.
Flareon’s victory in comparison was quite easy.
The Cooji Katrak nursed son of Razeen out of Colour Presentation had
reached Class II in spite of being a maiden. Flareon ran true to his
high rating after Niall McCullagh powered him home for an impressive win over
Aspinalls and Oriental Express.
Bharath Singh had to wait the entire day for his first win which came
through Golden Triangle (Royal Kingdom-Festival Flame) who gave a sound
beating to his rivals. The withdrawal of the favourite Prince Of Hearts,
who dropped his rider and bolted before the start helped Golden
Triangle's cause.
