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Nairn smashes the opposition
By Sharan Kumar | 08 Jun 2002 | BANGALORE
Nairn (K.P.G.Appu up), winning the Civil service cup
Trainer Zareer Darashah was back in action after a fortnight’s hiatus, with a bang, saddling Nairn to an emphatic victory in the Civil Service Cup, the highlight of Saturday’s races. The daughter of Razeen, Nairn is undoubtedly a talented filly but she has her limitations over staying trips as was revealed in her runs in the Derby and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup. Now up against a modest opposition and over a more suitable trip of nine furlongs, Nairn was not unduly extended to get the measure of the opposition. Nairn cruised past the opposition inside the final 300 metres to leave the rivals flat-footed.
Among the five opponents of Nairn, only Arterial who had lost by a whisker in the Calcutta Derby was capable of posing a challenge. But then the trip of nine furlongs was bound to prove sharp for the son of Green Forest. In the event, Arterial who took over the running at the top of the straight did not have the speed to contain the challenge of Nairn whose patented burst of speed had him stranded. Ciel Fleuri has never been a model of consistency and has rarely lived up to expectations, her best performances having come when least expected. Hello Brother appears to be a spent force.
Trainer Mohan Valavi had a very profitable day, saddling a grand treble. With favourite Astec Gold running a disgustingly poor race, Diamonds Galore made a comfortable start to finish dash in the 1100 metres Ankara Stakes, the day’s opener. The run benefit perhaps helped Diamonds Galore to come out sharper in this outing as compared to her plowing effort last time out. The drifting odds on Astec Gold forbade ill and the favourite was never in the reckoning, finishing way down the field. The son of Razeen reportedly came back lame. Valavi’s second win of the day came through Gem who just had to complete the formalities against a relatively poor set of runners and the favourite was a winner all the way. My Star Girl was a suggestive second. Valavi completed a glorious treble, as Peter Corleone staved off the challenge of the front-running Afaza with a measure of comfort in the concluding race of the day. Favourite Silver Feathers once again disappointed.
M P Mahaesh’s Fantasy Bay was one of the most impressive winners of the day. The son of Poet’s Dream, Fantasy Bay who had showed out in his preparatory workouts, was the overwhelming favourite to win the 1200 metres Sardar Khan Memorial Plate. Fantasy Bay, after being kept a handy third by jockey Malesh Narredu, shot through along the rails to leave the rest stranded long way behind. Set Aside finished on purposefully to take the second spot ahead of long time leader Princess Gabriella. Make a note of Set Aside who should strike before long.
Network was a lone late entry for the Bangalore Derby under the new regulations. Hitherto horses which were not entered for the classics at the earlier stage, had to be run as a final entry, with a whopping fee but BTC has amended the rules which provides for entering horses at a later stage to help owners who wish to run their horses in the plum events after they are convinced of the ability of their wards at a reasonable fee. Those who had noticed Network being entered for the biggest plum of the event before the season started, profited by backing him with confidence in the 1400 metres Jerry Can Salver, a race for maiden three-year olds. Ooty import Ascot Knight enjoyed total public support but the favourite disappointed. By the time, Ascot Knight waded his way to come into contention; Network had the race in his safe keeping despite racing on the edge of the grass track. Though shifting out to the far extreme, the son of Twist And Turn showed a good turn of foot to win in great style. Considering the fact that the progeny of Twist And Turn are more at home over staying trips, this emphatic win over seven furlongs augurs well for the Vijay Singh trainee. Time Is Money was a noteworthy third.
Christopher Alford, the Calcutta champion, who steered Network to victory, has been enjoying a fruitful season. With Aslam Kader out of the way, Alford is the retained jockey for Calcutta’s leading owner Deepak Khaitan. Alford has been seen in action quite prominently in almost every race of the day. Alford guided Assumer to a comfortable victory over Mythical Star in the 2000 metres Smart Chieftan Plate. Assumer, who appears to be one-paced, outstayed the rest. Interestingly, Twist And Turn sired all the first four placed horses thus highlighting the fact that his progeny come into their own provided they are given more ground to cover.
Forest Prince had been sharpened well by his runs in winter and the Ganapathy ward easily sailed past the front-runners to win in impressive fashion, the 1400 metres Star Supreme Plate. Hyderabad challenger Svetlana who had come in for inspired support, found the winner too good to handle.
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