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Star Chieftan resumes winning ways
By Sharan Kumar | 29 Jun 2002 | BANGALORE
Star Chieftan (B.Prakash up), winner of the Karnataka Sub Area Cup being led in by owner M.A.M.Ramaswamy
Star Chieftan’s win in the 1400 metres Karnataka Sub-Area Cup in Saturday’s feature event was not exactly a surprise as he had good reason to win. The son of Placerville, Star Chieftan had been a consistent performer at winter and in his two outings prior to this, he had finished second and a close fifth in the hands of jockey Abraham. The jockey switch, with the highly successful Prakash replacing Abraham had a salutary effect as Star Chieftan was able to make up the leeway and edge past his closest rival Whatmore, to win with a measure of comfort. Trainer Ganapathy, who saddled Star Chieftan, has proved to be invincible this season, with his wards winning race after race with amazing frequency. The presence of a horse from his yard has had an intimidating effect on the others!
Antequera, who had finished a close second to Purple Princess in his last outing, went into the race as an overwhelming favourite to win. The well-performed son of Green Forest hasn’t however been a big success as a fancied runner. He has run some great races in the past, over staying trips but has been found wanting when it came to winning. The weights seemed to favour him but Antequera packed up when the others pounced on him inside the final 300 metres to finish in the rut. Whatmore who had tracked Antequera surged ahead even as Spark of Life weakened by the effort of chasing the front-runner. However, Whatmore’s hopes were dashed as Star Chieftan came up with a rattle on the wide outside to win with something to spare. Refresher warmed up late to pick up tiring horses to finish third. Arrakis who was ``fat as a pig’’ ran a dismal race and it may take a couple of more runs before one can see the best of him. Spark of Life who had run three games races during the season should regain his spark with some break.
Nationalistic who had lost in controversial circumstances in winter, recorded his second straight win in emphatic fashion. The son of Razeen out of Vision of India, Nationalistic was backed to the exclusion of his rivals despite the presence of Cut Time who had two wins to back his credentials. Despite Prakash getting into a mess and getting blocked for a clear run, Nationalistic flew home when the cause seemed to have been lost, to catch Cut Time in the shadow of the post. Red Mamma was a close third and this daughter of Warrshan has been a game performer.
Mumbai jockey Aadesh Kumar drove out Aveste to land a nice coup in the Richelieu Plate (Div I). Cool Camp had seized the initiative but Aveste flashed home late with a big run to collar the front-runner. Jockey Aadesh reportedly used the controversial shock-absorbing whip the wrong way and jockey Shafiq who was on the runner-up reported the matter to the Stipes. However, the Stipes failed to find anything conclusive and let off Aadesh. It is a pity that jockeys have to resort to these methods because they have been thrust with a useless piece of equipment which has been put into use without as much as a trial run. The whip is increasingly found to be useless, with the rubber-covering coming off. The majority of the jockeys want a quick swap to the traditional whips. In the lower division of the race, trainer Loknath’s tactic of racing Genuine Article fresh without exhaustive workouts but the benefit of a mock race paid ample dividends as the favourite flew in from the rear to win close home from Polar Charge.
Jockey Warren Singh drove out She’s A Bird to a thrilling win over favourite Triple X in the 1200 metres Track Lightning Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds. She’s Bird seized the initiative from the word `go’ and just about lasted out even as Triple X was gaining momentum with each stride. In the other race meant for maiden three-year olds, Star Treasure made amends, albeit with the help of blinkers, overhauling the front-running Kingley in the shadow of the post.
Apprentice jockey Rutherford quickly seized the initiative on Mantle of Peace on turning for home and the son of Classic Tale held on resolutely to win from Baby Face Killer who was left to cover a lot of leeway on the front-runner. In the day’s other action, jockey Abraham who had winners by the dozen at Ooty, recorded his maiden win through Red Tigress. The daughter of Conquering Hero, Red Tigress shot through an opening along the rails to win comfortably. Burning Roma who was well placed to strike, found the winner too good.
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