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Camacho Ekes Out a Cheeky Win

By Mahendra Mallya | 16 Sep 2011 | PUNE


Trainer P Shroff leading Camacho (S Zervan Up), winner of The Mysore Race Club Cup

Camacho (Razeen - Gourgandine) seemed to be toying with his two rivals, but the game turned serious when Star Alliance produced a sudden surge in the final 100 and Camacho eventually survived by a whisker, in a razor-sharp finish. Camacho entered the straight getting past Star Alliance and Clarion Call comfortably. He quickly established what seemed an unassailable lead and was lengths clear coming into the final furlong. All looked well and Camacho appeared to be on course to post a victory that was expected of a 3/10 favourite, but Star Alliance had other ideas. With a sudden surge, under some strong riding, the Nina Lalvani-trained Star Alliance put in a strong gallop which all but toppled Camacho at the wire.

That was not all; Camacho then had to overcome another hurdle, though this was a lot less serious. An objection by jockey Trevor against Zervan for causing interference a bit before the home turn caused more anxiety. However, there didn’t seem much substance in the objection but for the thin margin of victory and a minor scuffle. The Stewards rightly disallowed Trevor’s protest.

Rehanullah Khan’s Last Tango (Burden of Proof – Soonerland) certainly gave his supporters a lot to dance about when he produced a winning gallop to collar Lady Genereuse past the Grand Stands. Settling into the fourth position behind Adams Prince, Lady Genereuse and Voices of Angels, Last Tango made his move late in the straight. Lady Genereuse put in forceful gallop in the straight and went ahead. While the others wilted, Last Tango gathered momentum and caught up with Lady Genereuse approaching the distance post. Lady Genereuse offered some resistance but Last Tango was getting better with each stride. Jockey Sandesh then vigorously rode out Last Tango to prevail by a length. Golden Kingdom improved from the last position to come through the rails and pip This Is It on the post for the third. This Is It was always in the picture, his folly though, was he took the turn wide.

Applaud (Senure – Mosaic) produced a brilliant stretch-run to sail away from his rivals and post his maiden victory in a convincing manner. Applaud behaved at the gates and was rewarded by a resounding first-win! While Adventurer, Queens Kiss and the favourite Circus Ring ran closely up front, Applaud made steady progress to bridge a gap of about 3 lengths as they neared the turn. Soon on straightening up, Circus Ring got past Queens Kiss as Adventurer threw in the towel. No Sooner had Circus Ring headed the field, Applaud burst on to the scene with a nippy gallop and sailed ahead encountering no resistance from the favourite and established a healthy lead. Grant Park warmed up late and covered ground noticeably, but could only manage to narrow down the margin of victory to just a length. Grant Park’s was an eye-catching run and he should be able to enter the winners’ circle before long. Applaud was simply too good and can repeat. Circus Ring disappointed a large following.

Aristocratic (China Visit – Adored) was lively in the straight but was given a run for his money by San Rafael who came with a late charge that was a wee bit too late. Mystic Temple led them till the turn and bowed out. Aristocratic assumed command and shot ahead opening up a handy lead. Takestwototango tried hard not to let Aristocratic get away, but there was little she could do in the kind of galloping mood that Aristocratic showed. Soon San Rafael and Forward Charge joined Takestwototango from either side and got past her. Aristocratic was still well ahead and with the winning post approaching fast, the Katrak trainee had it well covered. San Rafael then finished on fastest only falling short of Aristocratic by half length. Forward Charge ended another length behind just ahead of Takestwototango.

Arctic Minstrel (Mambo Minstrel – Cymbidium) obliged her large number of supporters winning in a clinical manner. She settled into the third slot, just behind Springbank and Mountain Treasure with Moonscape on her outside. The quartet ran close in a bunch and took up the judges placing between them, only, Springbank fell back a distance.

Mountain Treasure got past Springbank soon on entering the straight and took charge momentarily. Jockey Ladjadj Stephane then switched Arctic Minstrel out from the rails and made a dash for the lead. He soon had Arctic Minstrel on full throttle and they easily sailed into the lead. Moonscape warmed up late and when she did, she covered ground briskly and ended close behind the winner. For a first run, Moonscape did not do badly and showed that she has it in her to earn her winning bracket soon.

Saddlers Rule (Brave Act – Queen’s Rule) trained by Suresh Chavan provided an encore, adding to his last start victory. This was a laboured victory though, as he was stretched by the more fancied Eye of the Storm in the final furlong. Saddlers Rule was niggled to improve position all the time and he got to the front bunch at the commencement of the turn. Marudhara Ratan, Eye of the Storm and Major Wager were at the helm upon turning for home. Saddlers Rule made his bid early and soon joined Eye of the Storm to set up their battle. Major Wager remained in the frame and ended so, earning place money. Eye of the Storm and Saddlers Rule went stride for stride and at the end of the tussle, Saddlers Rule edged out Eye of the Storm by less than one length.

Rank outsider Out Of My Way (Majestic Missile – Miss Danehill) overcame a tardy start and an erratic last furlong, to post a power-packed victory over another long-shot Borderline. As the gates flung open, favourite Follow The Dream was quick to take charge. Out Of My Way and Coccinella were slowly off. While Out Of My way was quick to recover, Coccinella took her time to get into rhythm and was tailing the field by a huge margin.

Follow The Dream and Borderline were disputing the lead at the turn and soon Out of My Way got past Star Blessings and Aflame to be prominently poised in third on straightening up. Borderline shot ahead and looked good, as Follow the Dream was not matching her. Out of My Way surged ahead and galloped strongly. However, he shifted out under pressure and was running green before jockey PS Chouhan gave him a couple of backhanders. That spurred Out of My Way on and the Imtiaz Sait gelding forced his way past Borderline to score an emphatic victory. Borderline also gave a good account of herself and improved on her last start third, finishing a length behind the impressive winner. Follow The Dream however, did not justify the support and ended a tame third. Star Blessings ended in the frame. Coccinella kicked on to finish sixth, but did not really provide any yardstick to derive any conclusion about her.

Orito (Major Impact – Radiant) produced a fiery fast gallop to launch into the lead soon on turning for home, coasting to a facile victory in fast timing, clocking 1:10.89, the fastest on the day. Awesomeness was simply outpaced and had to be content with the runner-up berth. Orito was up front, just behind Midnight Club, Awesomeness on the rails and Always Smile. Orito forced his way to the front early in the straight and went streaking clear in the first half of the homestretch. Awesomeness came out from the rails and tried hard to catch up, but in vain. Orito went further away to post the most impressive victory of the day. Midnight Club did well to end alongside Awesomeness and should do well again. Zaracha ran on to end in the frame without making any impact.

Ashwa Prahar (Serious Spender – Sweet Memento) scored a facile start-to-finish victory without encountering any challenge. Darting into the lead soon on settling down, Ashwa Prahar with apprentice jockey Kavraj Singh in the saddle, utilized the five-kilo allowance fully and shot further away in the straight. Peregrine Falcon tried hard, but could not sustain. Let It Fly improved in the latter half of the straight and ran on to end second, about two-and-half lengths behind Ashwa Prahar. Hickory too improved and managed to peg back Peregrine Falcon to claim place money. Winchester bolted and was withdrawn.