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Khaitan-colours Call the Shots

By Epsom Ace | 13 Aug 2011 | KOLKATA


Trainer P Shroff leading elena (S Zervan up), winner of The Calcutta Juvenile Sprint

Despite the relentless drenching the track received, racing on Saturday proved to be thoroughly entertaining and form-based. Though the penetrometer reading was a not-too-healthy three, the timings were surprisingly pretty decent. As expected, the speedy filly Elena (Alnasr Alwasheek – Intuition) recorded the best timing of the afternoon in the 1,100 metres race for the Juvenile Sprint. But make no mistake, Dandified ran a great race to finish a good second over a scurry far too short for his liking. Moreover, he was conceding over 5 kg to the filly. Dandified will obviously be this centre’s candidate ‘numero uno’ for the forthcoming classics.

Though this prized colt of Mr Deepak Khaitan failed to deliver the goods, the red-and-gold colours of Calcutta’s leading owner were prominent throughout the afternoon. Trainer Darius Byramji tried three of his horses during the day but only succeeded in seeing the winning post with one – Abronia (Captain Rio-Glorieuse). She was shouldering a massive impost of 62.5 kg but was ridden very understandingly by Neeraj Rawal. The rider let Blood Rayne and I’ve Done It hog the limelight early on in the race and then stepped on the gas just as Mesmerizer was threatening to overhaul her. She responded magnificently and sprinted away.

Darius’ next fancied runner was Araceli in the Independence Cup. Despite this seven-furlong race attracting a small field of five runners, it was a very competitive affair. Araceli closed as the 18/10 favourite for the race but was out-paced in the straight by the winner Poles Apart (Black Cash-Winning Spurs) from Javed Khan’s yard. The colt was handled expertly by Shailesh Shinde who went over to the rails in the straight while Araceli was coming from the last berth to force a passage between the eventual winner and Raznandan, but found nothing extra in the tank. However, it is my belief, that this run of Araceli will bring her on and she will be a force to reckon with during the season.

Another seven-furlong race, The Harry The Horse Trophy, was equally competitive. Nine-year-old Samarkhand was withdrawn on veterinary rounds. Shub Shubh set the early pace but dropped out last and returned bleeding. Christopher Alford has always maintained that Arktouros (Diffident-Girl From Ipanema) is his favourite horse of all time and the six-year-old who fetched him his 1000th winner last monsoon did not let him down. Though briefly disturbed by Cayenne at the head of the field, the seasoned Khaitan-ward showed his class when he pulled away and quite easily kept at bay the on-money public choice Caribbean Queen. Silver Fox was a good third and needs to be watched in the future. With this win, trainer Vijay Singh completed a double.

Vijay had earlier led in another Khaitan-runner Credit Swap (China Visit-Santorini Star) who was ridden with superb timing by Neeraj Rawal. He timed his run to perfection after keeping him covered up till the straight. The favourite Lunar Quest was at the helm of affairs till the distance post but had no answer to Rawal’s strong handling. Vignet ran a very impressive race but as is his wont, he drifted out in the straight. It was to Neeraj’s credit that he hugged the rails for had he been on the outside of Vignet, he might well have lost the 1,800 metres race for the Young Lady Handicap.

Apprentice Mohit Singh completed a well-deserved double by picking up the first and last races. The afternoon commenced with Aeropostale and perennial failure Sugar N Salt closing as the fancied runners in the Silver Dawn Handicap by virtue of their morning trackwork. It was, however, left to Jasbir Singh-trained Successful (Don Micheletto-Raj Shahi) to make it a start-to-finish affair. Ebony Princess would have been nearer at the finish had M Ali Khan not given her so much to do in the straight.

The day ended with Daniel David picking up his sole winner – Kinshasa (Emerald Cat-Nature’s Miracle). The chestnut relished the extended trip of seven furlongs and kicked on merrily in the straight when challenged by the much-fancied top-weight God’s Creation. Darius Byramji’s Asian Rocket seems to be a slow starter but finished on well to be third.