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Name And Fame maintains winning streak

By Sharan Kumar | 04 Jan 2003 | BANGALORE


Name and Fame (B Prakash up), winner of the New Millennium cup being led in by trainer Karan Singh (Deputising for trainer S Ganapathy)

Ganapathy trained Name And Fame continued his amazing sequence of wins with an emphatic victory in the 1400 metres New Millennium Cup, a terms race for four-year olds and over, which featured Saturday’s races. Unlike in the 2000 Guineas when he was the overwhelming favourite, top-weighted Ansbach displaced him from that position but only in the bookmakers ring. Name And Fame shot clear of the field inside the final 400 metres and won with a measure of comfort from Just Brave. Ansbach was not sighted and faded out of contention when the pressure was applied on him. May be the supporters of Alford would believe that Ansbach missed his services because the Calcutta champion had a treble only the previous day. Unfortunately, his connections don’t seem to have total trust in him because in a crunch situation, which calls for superior riding skills, he has invariably been jocked off in preference for a top-flight jockey. May be they should boost Alford’s confidence by retaining faith in his abilities for all time to come!

Ansbach had run an eye-catching third in his last run and considering the fact that the son of Alnasr Alwasheek had always been a rousing performer, his effort was considered as a sign of him returning to his winning ways. This was what most race goers believed but the Vijay Singh trainee appears to be a pale shadow of his former self. He may be capable of odd top-notch performances from now on but it is difficult to support him with any conviction. He had every chance to win after tracking Name And Fame into the straight but failed to quicken when asked for an effort and beat just one home. Name And Fame who is in great form, floored the opposition with a decisive turn of foot on straightening for home. Just Brave came up with a good performance to finish second ahead of Vivid Dreams who had a cramped passage along the rails.

 

Ganapathy had a cup double for the day when first-timer Smart Striker won the Ashoka Chakra Cup, swamping the opposition in splendid fashion. Smart Striker is a good type of a juvenile. There was some support for Clear Cut who had won her debut race impressively but the daughter of Tejano who sported a dry coat, buckled tamely when Smart Striker essayed a challenge inside the final 250 metres and was a long way second. Star Clarity who was tardy at the gates, finished on purposefully, suggesting of an imminent success.

Royal Heights’ defeat prevented what could have been a four-in-a-row for trainer Ganapathy. Royal Heights had won her last outing by a big margin but surprisingly despite the easy win, the trainer decided to use the blinkers. Royal Heights came up with a strong run and posed a stiff challenge to Rebelwithacause who incidentally had discarded the blinkers but failed to pass the front-runner. Prakash ended up with a fine of Rs 3000 for the excessive use of the whip on the runner up. The first race of the day had gone the way of Predecessor who easily accounted for Alybaby who came in for inspired support in the ring.

Britto trained Fast Trick proved too good for the opposition in the 1200 metres Tungabhadra Plate. Mahaesh trained Gem led the field from the word `go’ but failed to sustain, weakening inside the final furlong. Fast Trick came from behind with a powerful run to win with a great deal of comfort from a late-finishing Allespagne. Grisogono pipped Gem to the third spot.

After failing twice as a favourite, Michael Eshwer trained Zidane finally obliged, getting the better of front-running Ek Ek Ek in the shadow of the winning post. Special Request took the second spot ahead of Blue Gardenia who trailed the field in the early part but finished with a strong run in the homestretch. 

The concluding race of the day saw Indian Wine win at fancy odds at the expense of market rage St Lucinda. Diamonds Galore set a scorching pace only to fade out in the final stages of the race. Indian Wine got strong close home to land the spoils ahead of a fast-finishing St Lucinda who continues to find the maiden win all elusive.