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No Sign of Summer 44 for Favourites

By Parjanya | 21 Apr 2009 | DELHI


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It was 44 degree Celsius temperature when the matinee show of the third last race day of the season began. Nothing new for the Delhities as regular visitors were all present to be the part of the racing on the hottest day. Unlike the temperature, favouritesm except Senegal, did not feel the heat. A card of six had five winners landing the spoilsport. Jockey Rajinder was the lone professional to make it treble. Withdrawal of Schubert had almost made Senegal to complete the formality to conclude its 2008-2009 calendar on the winning note. But it did not happen. She's Sexy made the class one field victim of her glamour. Despite guiding the way in the early furlong, she was forced back by Rajinder by letting allow Red Cat, Degas and Senegal to do the act. Before the field reached the corner of the bend, Senegal, who looked to be in hurry as usual, surged to the front. Finding no threat coming from behind, hardly Rajinder Saini in the saddle of Senegal peeped over his shoulder, She's sexy rose to the occasion and was in position to retire home at ease but Cataluniya's late effort made her to sweat for a moment before annexing the Mysore Race Club Cup. The five-year- old mare tasted her first victory of the season after being consistent from the last outings. Undoubtedly, she had an upper hand in terms of handicapping against Senegal. But the latter's debacle performance became the hot topic of the day. The horse, who set the new course record over 1,100m some weeks ago, was unable to show his class, at least to that level which enabled him many prizes. The run is best ignored. Cataluniya, who was lighter by 14 kilos on scale against She's Sexy, could have turned the table on the winner, had she got an assistance of strong handler. Degas, who ran third ahead of Senegal, seemed to be attaining the form that helped him once to keep the 1,200 mitres record to his name before being broken down. Rajinder earlier opened his account with Empire Maker in the lower division of the Mysore Palace Plate. Four-year-old gelding from Mumbai, who was maiden as yet, made mockery of the local field. He should repeat. The champion jockey had to work hard on Winning Chick to earn his third win when his supremacy was not only challenged by K Narender Kumar-ridden Sonic Boom but also had to raise a toast with him as the camera failed to segregate them. Just Like A Woman (third) indicated that her fine day has not come yet. Actually, a three-year-old Zarin set the trend in favour of the market-fancied competitors by emerging victorious in the Tipu Sultan Plate. The daughter of Ansbach and Endless Surprise led the front after the break-out and proved that she was not in mood to repeat the similar mistake she did in the previous outing which had cost her the race. She may earn more laurel over the five furlong trip in the next season. Saphire, who played the role of second fiddle, has come to hands. Black Thunder bears watching. The upper division of the Mysore Palace Plate was at the mercy of Phi. The mare has picked up form and may eye for double. Ashwa Pallavi, who ran fourth to none other than the Indian Derby winner Antonios before landing Delhi, had the mission impossible in her previous two outing that too over shorter trip. The suitable seven furlong finally made the rest grasping for breath. She should also achieve an encore.