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One Magic Moment bounces back

By Sharan Kumar | 29 Jun 2003 | BANGALORE


One Magic moment (P.Kamlesh up) winning the Juvenile Sprinters` Million (Grade III) from Onnu Onnu Onnu (C.Alford up)

One Magic Moment's victory in the Gr 3 Juvenile Sprinters' Million should have been considered as a certainty considering the kind of speed she had showed when winning her debut race last winter. In the intervening period, she had been campaigned over extended trips and her last run was over a mile where she had run below par. She was brought back to sprint and there were many who felt the filly's speed might have been blunted and that she would find it tough to make the switch in distance. The daughter of Tirol silenced the critics who doubted her versatility with a strong stretch run, edging out Onnu Onnu Onnu.

The fact that One Magic Moment was stretching out well at the finish suggested that she should tackle extended trips as competently. Trainer Padmanabhan believes so and he is in no mood to concede that the filly has limitations and over trips longer than a sprint, her effectiveness would be blunted. The forthcoming Mysore season should put things in perspective.

Coming back to the race, One Magic Moment was available at nourishing odds and it was surprising to say the least. She towered over the opposition and as such, the odds were generous and those who put faith in her abilities stood to profit. The race ran true to form and Onnu Onnu Onnu who had run an eye-catching fourth in the Karnataka Juvenile Million was the only realistic challenger. The Hyderabad based Onnu Onnu Onnu put up a game show, losing in the shadow of the winning post. Much was expected of Star Wind who had performed brilliantly only the previous week but the daughter of Placerville did not reproduce that effort and lost even the third spot to Highness.

 

Star Wind hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the six-furlong trip, with Onnu Onnu Onnu in close attendance. One Magic Moment had moved up nicely from the outside draw to be well in touch with the leaders. Onnu Onnu Onnu surged ahead of Star Wind inside the final 300 metres and had a break of couple of lengths over favourite One Magic Moment. The latter took sometime to get into top gear and once she began to stretch out, it was clear that the daughter of Tirol would eventually overcome the front-runner. One Magic Moment won quite capably in the end. The filly was positively seen in better light than when she showed up for the Fillies Trial Stakes. Jockey Kamlesh did a fine jockey on the favourite.

Those supporting the Jockeys Association of India's demand for a higher mount fee stayed away for the second day running but it had little impact on the day's proceedings. The day's collection on the club-operated totalisators touched Rs 3 crore. Jockey Pesi Shroff clarified that the jockeys were not on strike and that the jockeys who did not accept the existing mount fee, stayed away from races. They would continue to do so till such time their demand for an acceptable raise is conceded.

Full sister to the celebrated Six Speed, Sure Future's career has been interrupted due to soundness problems. Making an appearance on the track after a longish interval, the daughter of Placerville made mincemeat of the opposition, to win in great style. She will continue to win as long as racing fitness keeps her going. Fugleman who dragged himself to the second spot with no apparent support from the saddle, should be an early winner. 

Puttanna trained Lusitania was backed to the exclusion of the rest but there was big disappointment in store for those who put blind faith on the favourite. After leading all the way and shaping like a winner, Lusitania grounded to a halt close home. Battle Honour came from behind and swept past the front-runner to make amends for his failure as a favourite in his last start. Make a note of Jimbo who should strike soon.

Zareer Darashah trained Newmachar had been systematically prepared to have a bold show in the 1600 metres Honeyday Plate. There was solid support for Generic Emperor, with Perfect Ten being next in demand. Generic Emperor bolted to the front and led the field by a big margin but the front-runner shortened his strides in the final furlong. Newmachar warmed up in time to edge out the favourite. The trainer thinks highly of Newmachar who is expected to shine over longer trips. Perfect Ten finished third but the second favourite could have finished closer with good support from apprentice Ashwin Rao.

There was a big upset in the Hampi Cup when the pacemaker Star Sensation kicked on gamely to stave off the challenge of stablemate and favourite Own Vision. Own Vision could have made it but jockey Prakash who was riding after a bout of fever, was below par. This was one of the biggest upsets of the day, which saw just one jackpot hunter take home a big booty.