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Apprentices Continue to Rule the Roost

By Epsom Ace | 27 Aug 2008 | KOLKATA


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A heavy downpour after the fifth race on Wednesday resulted in the last two races being considerably delayed. Adding to the unwanted time lapse was the tantrums thrown by Sangoma in the fifth race. The Karki-trained gelding had to be ultimately withdrawn.

Apprentice jockeys were once again at the forefront. Imran Khan, claiming an allowance of 5 kg, rode an extremely judicious race on the John Stephens-trained nine-year-old mare Secret Desire in the Prince Regent Handicap. Though rated only one on the handicap scale, Khan was able to claim his full allowance as the weights were raised by 2 kg. He allowed the top-weight favourite Shining Example fight out for the early lead with Manjhale Nawab. The other fancied runner, Gracias Senorita, appeared to be struggling right throughout. After the turning for home, he urged the aged mare who responded with great alacrity.

In the very next race, Amandeep Singh pulled off a great win on Certain Smile. The on-money favourite Zafir was trying to make it a start-to-finish affair but had no answer to the powerful gallop unleashed by the Daniel David ward. Amandeep's 2.5 kg allowance may have been the deciding factor as the top-weight Delhi rider (also called Imran Khan) was using the stick freely on the horse of public choice. Considering that he was carrying a crushing impost of 62 kg, Zafir's run may be considered pretty impressive.

The most spectacular win by an apprentice was that registered by Arman Khan in the day’s feature, the Shinjuku Cup. Run in heavy rain with poor visibility, the 6/1 shot was quickly up with the leaders from the word 'go'. The on-money favourite Fighting Star was travelling well ahead, but Arman maintained his cool admirably well and only made his move after heads turned for home. The threat came from nowhere in the form of stablemate Best Of The Blues. However, the young apprentice kept going, focussed fully on the winning post, and achieved his objective with a short-neck to spare. Entrepreneur was a good third. The Stewards were unhappy with the run of Best Of The Blues and have opened an enquiry.

Trainers Pesi Shroff and Rashid Byramji made the trip to the city. This generated quite a bit of excitement among punters. Shroff's prize colt Agios Nikolaos was the cynosure of all eyes in the Zelda Handicap. Considered to be a prime candidate for the Monsoon Derby in the first week of October, the blue-blooded three-year-old by China Visit out of Allaire romped home a clear winner. The best of the rest was David's Bountiful Talent, who looked threatening opposite the grand stand.

The Javed Khan-Md Islam combination notched up a lucrative double with Royal Ballerina and Salazaar. Both runners won their respective sprints fairly comfortably.

The disappointment of the day was the poor run of Loughborough who was completely outpaced by the likes of Highly Fashionable and Mythical Star. Alford atop the former had to work pretty hard to gain the day.