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Refresher edges out Hope And Faith

By Sharan Kumar | 11 Nov 2001 | BANGALORE


Refresher (A Imran Khan up), winning the Karnataka Police trophy from Hope and Faith (KPG Appu)

Hope And Faith’s defeat in the Karnataka Police Trophy on Sunday was more on predictable lines. The three-year old filly from Zareer Darashah’s ward Hope And Faith had an imposing record to back her credentials but Refresher definitely had an edge as the latter was well placed in scales vis-à-vis one of their clashes during the Bangalore Summer Season. Hope And Faith had prevailed in a photo finish over Refresher when conceding just 2.5 kgs to her adversary. But the scales were more decidedly in favour of Refresher this time out. Hope And Faith was set to concede as many as 12.5 kgs and under such circumstances, notwithstanding the improvement made by daughter of Broto, Refresher was bound to have a chance of pulling it off. Jockey A Imran Khan, who is in the limelight these days, could not make the weight and the four-year old gelding ended up carrying a overweight of about three kgs but this did not deter the son of Be Fresh from scoring a resolute win, catching up with the front-running favourite in the shadow of the winning post.

Hope And Faith’s defeat in the Karnataka Police Trophy on Sunday was more on predictable lines. The three-year old filly from Zareer Darashah’s ward Hope And Faith had an imposing record to back her credentials but Refresher definitely had an edge as the latter was well placed in scales vis-à-vis one of their clashes during the Bangalore Summer Season. Hope And Faith had prevailed in a photo finish over Refresher when conceding just 2.5 kgs to her adversary. But the scales were more decidedly in favour of Refresher this time out. Hope And Faith was set to concede as many as 12.5 kgs and under such circumstances, notwithstanding the improvement made by daughter of Broto, Refresher was bound to have a chance of pulling it off. Jockey A Imran Khan, who is in the limelight these days, could not make the weight and the four-year old gelding ended up carrying a overweight of about three kgs but this did not deter the son of Be Fresh from scoring a resolute win, catching up with the front-running favourite in the shadow of the winning post.

Hope And Faith, who was a modest purchase, has been a money-spinner for Darashah. And she was the pride of the stable until stable mate Nairn scored an upset win over her in the Mysore 1000 Guineas. This race was meant to be a lead up race for Hope And Faith for the Bangalore 2000 Guineas but considering the fact that the handicap was against her and that she was running after a break of over a month, she should improve a great deal after this run but one cannot be too sanguine about her classic prospects.

Antwerp who has lost his form totally, led the field till the final furlongs at which point Hope And Faith surged ahead. But Hope And Faith failed to draw clear and Refresher, after a brief tussle, emerged stronger at the finish to win close home. Antwerp kicked on to take the third spot.

Jaggy Dhariwal’s Senor Pele has been touted as a classic contender and the son of Tejano went into the 1200 metres Maj Gen E Habibullah Memorial Plate went into the race at a cramped price despite the fact that this was only his second run and that too after a lay off over six months. The price was certainly not justified. However, the driving finish of Pesi Shroff enabled Senor Pele to keep Native Red and Minstrel Star at bay. Senor Pele may need time to mature into a top class performer but jockey Pesi Shroff said that he was pretty happy with the performance of the gelding. Senor Pele may be campaigned in the Hyderabad 2000 Guineas but on the basis of this run, it is difficult to come any definite conclusion about his prospects.

The race meant for first season runners went in favour of Ganapathy trained Smart Charmer who just about lasted out to win from second favourite Adolfito. Serious Endeavour gained a lot of ground on the duo in the closing stages of the race. Jockey Abraham went on a start to finish mission on Smart Charmer but with Shroff on Adolfito chasing him, he perhaps panicked and used up the horse in opening up the lead. The effort told on the front-running duo who were slowing down at the finish when Serious Endeavour came charging home. Smart Charmer held on to win. Adolfito who looked soft, should strip fit after this run.

Apprentice jockey S Ramesh’s runaway tactics on Scenic just about failed to bring the desired results. Scenic who had a break of over five lengths when turning for home, shaped like a winner but Odeon came from an impossible position to pip the front-runner on the post. Favourite Anzac was a close third.

Darashah’s Airtel appreciated the step up in distance when recording an impressive win over Indian Native in the Sarb-Kla Plate. There was inspired support for Anchor but the top-weight never showed up at any stage of the race. Airtel picked up momentum mid-way through the mile long race and in a trice covered the leeway on the front-runners and went past the front-running Indian Native on entering the homestretch to record a facile win.

Crystal Delight who had run behind Arterial at Mysore, had the right credentials to win the 1600 metres Linganamakki Cup and the Tiajuana progeny did not disappoint, staving off the challenge of a late-finishing Luxor. Ardous who did the entire front running, ran out of her reserves inside the final furlong and faded out of contention. Fancied Our Ambition came up with a flourish on the wide outside but failed to sustain and ended with the third slot. Pride Valley who had disappointed as a favourite at Mysore, made amends, with a comfortable start to finish mission. Royal Caribbean once again disappointed while Barassie came far too late to make an impact on the outcome. The Darashah ward should benefit from this run and should be in different light next time out.