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Iflookscouldkill prevails close home

By Sharan Kumar | 08 Mar 2002 | BANGALORE


Iflookscouldkill (Harish up), winner of the Bull Temple Cup being led in by trainer R.R.Byramji and owner

Rashid Byramji trained Iflookscouldkill was better placed than Whatmore to win the 1600 metres Bull Temple Cup, the highlight of Friday’s races. But the only question mark against the success of Iflookscouldkill was the fact that the son of Don’t Forget Me was being brought back to a mile after running thrice over a mile and half trip. But in the event, the start-to-finish tactics of Appu on Whatmore was bound to come to grief as Iflookscouldkill warmed up late to flash past the front-runner in the shadow of the winning post. Young jockey Harish did well to get his ward going in the nick of time.
 
Whatmore’s last win over a mile was impressive but that win had ensured a stiff penalty and as such the scales were decidedly in favour of Iflookscouldkill. Jockey Appu, as is his wont, had Whatmore racing in front and had a break of over three lengths at the top of the straight. But the front-running effort told on the son of Mischievous Music who was perceptibly slowing down and Iflookscouldkill easily had the measure of the front-runner with something to spare at the finish to justify the strong support he received in the betting ring.
 
Apprentice jockey R Mani has been riding winners consistently of late. In a closely handicapped field, a five-kg claimer can make a total difference to the composition of the race itself. Abroad, the maximum allowance that is permitted is three kgs but in India, it is five kgs, which is quite substantial because a winner in a close finish would have often received less than five kg penalty and a five kg claimer would alter the situation totally when the horse runs next time. While there may be justification for giving five kg allowance to a beginner, the fact remains that the situation needs a careful study. Mani is certainly no newcomer and has been on the scene for several years. The authorities could well consider reducing the five kg allowance to three if an apprentice has been around for more than one year irrespective of the fact that he has ridden 10 winners or not. For every year of experience, a kg or half should be clipped.
 
Be that as it may, Sunny Spice looked outstanding in the 1400 metres Bagalkote Plate, a race for horses rated 10 to 25. The five kg claimed by Mani ensured that the Young Senor progeny was too superior to the rest and it came as no surprise when Sunny Spice left the field for dead. Punters who persisted with Pristine Beauty continued to rue their decision.
 
Ganapathy trained Star Chieftan toyed with the opposition in the 1400 metres Hurricane Stud Stakes to easily account for Magic Mantra and the rest. In the kind of form that he is in, Star Chieftan should maintain his run of wins.
 
With Sound Reasoning drifting out in the betting ring, Goldsmith became the firm favourite and the Dominic ward had the race sewn up long way from home to win the Talakaveri Plate (Div II) in taking style. In the upper division, favourite Good Life also had it easy, with Astigmatic running below par.
 
When a Ganapathy trained horse drifts in price, rarely do they win. Royal Heights steadily lost support in the betting ring and Nice And Noble who was on the periphery of the winner’s enclosure, finally came good to win the 1600 metres Magod Falls Plate from a late-finishing Salona. River Nile has had many exploratory runs and when given the nod, the Mariensky progeny won his assignment with ease.