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Superb'Safari' mauls the opposition

By Epsom Ace | 13 Sep 2008 | KOLKATA


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In an amazing display of supremacy, Darius Byramji-trained Safari made a mockery of her seven rivals as she lifted the Calcutta Fillies Trial Stakes in inimitable fashion. The Bangalore-based filly was looking an absolute picture in the paddock and her odds shortened in the ring before the race.

The China Visit-Safari Girl filly was ridden flawlessly by Suraj Narredu. Tracking pace-setter She's Superb till the bend, the property of Ashwin B Mehta made it a no contest. The biggest disappointment in the race was the run of the the other fancied runner Apollotina, who finished in the ruck.

Jockey C. Rajendra, who rode Apollotina, failed to open his score-sheet on the afternoon as his other two mounts, Afforce and Attention Seeker, failed to deliver the goods.
The day started in rip-roaring manner for the Jaiswals with their two wards, Betelgeuse and the aged yet consistent El Cid involved in a close finish for the winner's berth. Aided by a pull of 5kg, apprentice Md Sameer was able to get the best out of Betelgeuse to prevail by a head.

Apprentices continued to flex their muscle at this centre as in the very next race, Amandeeep Singh piloted Over The Limit to a conclusive victory despite drifting out of a straight course. The on-money public choice Indian Quest was never in the hunt. He appeared to be running in snatches and may have needed the run.  Though Man About Town and Helegonia occupied the minor placings, they failed to make any impression on the winner.

The day's most facile winner was undoubtedly Ascriptive in the Allaying Handicap. The gelding by Chevalier out of Ivyanna had finished a good second to Dancing Dynamite at Mumbai and this stood him in good stead. The best of the rest was Vignet who finished four lengths ahead of Bold Reply.

Bred-in-the-blue Arnatta (Placerville-Mitzvah) proved that she is meant for greater things when she won the Picture Perfect Handicap without being stretched.Tracking the front-runner Aptitude till the top of the home straight, Christopher Alford guided Arnatta to the helm of affairs without any trouble at all. Thereafter, a couple of reminders was all that was required to keep her going.

On paper Brilliant Victory was looking really good in the Evangeline Cup. The reason being that apprentice Aarman Khan was able to claim his full 5kg allowance on this occasion. So, that more or less negated the 4.5 penalty he incurred for his last win when Armaan could only claim 1.5 kg. He shot the speedster to the front as the gates opened and stayed there all the way. Ardelis was a flying second while Rajendra on the favourite Attention Seeker had no answer despite using the stick freely.

Christopher Alford completed his treble with a brilliant win astride Conquering Love in the Amorina Cup. Chasing the speedy Queen of Hearts till the distance post, Alford used the stick freely with his left hand as his mount was drifting out alarmingly to the outer rails.Top-weight Afforce switched to the rails and finished a good second while the bottom-weight Red Sails was outclassed.

The day's final event saw the indomitable John Stephens pull of an amazing 1-2 with the friendless Allied News and Mythical Star while the hot favourite Quantum of Solace was an unimpressive fourth.