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Romantic Heights runs true to her potential, wins in second attempt
By Usman Rangila | 06 Sep 2003 | PUNE
Romantic Heights (Abhishek up) winner of the Prince Of Ramgarh Trophy being led in by trainer Altaf Hussain
Romantic Heights (Diffident-Menorah), who suffered humiliation at the hands of Raziya at the start of the season, finally came good to prove her mettle. The dismal performance dished out by the Altaf Hussain-schooled four-year-old filly then was quite in contrast to her true potential and left many wondering as to what was really wrong with her. The fancy odds offered by the bookies then did raise some suspicion but none could put a finger on the exact cause of her defeat. Getting the benefit of a doubt, Romantic Heights was deservedly installed as a favourite, this time to win the Prince of Ramgarh Trophy. Imtiaz Sait’s Energizer too received inspired support from his band of followers but was second in demand.
Running according to a plan, Energizer took off with C. Rajendra in the saddle on a start to finish mission, which came to a nought when Romantic Heights arrived on the scene to dispute the issue with him in the final furlong of the journey. The chestnut filly literally flew in response to the urgings of apprentice Abhishek Habbu and was home and dry. Realism ran on to qualify for place money ahead of Forgotten Dreams. The Cooji Katrak-trained filly is slowly but surely getting into shape and is likely to land the spoils soon.
Jockey Pradeep Chouhan was experiencing a lean patch and his confidence levels had reached rock-bottom. But the young lad was back in the business by booting home a winning brace. It was heartening to see Pradeep riding out with the same panache as seen during the first half of the Mumbai season. Pradeep’s first winner of the day came when the Zadmal Singh-trained filly Sprungli (Razeen-Treasured) left the maiden ranks with a comprehensive victory in the Tribute Trophy. Runner-up Firey Future, Aerosat and Secret Obsession, who finished in that order behind Sprungli, were struggling to match strides with the winner when Pradeep put his head down and drove the winner with unusual fervour.
Pradeep seemed to have reserved his best for Mesopotamia (Farajullah-Precious Penny) in the next race. The bottom-weighted filly, owned and trained by Rehanullah Khan, was ridden plain hand and heels by Pradeep to stretch out and overhaul runner-up Speedster, who was being hailed as a winner after he took charge from Nice Once Claire. Sphinx came into the picture late and finished third to serve notice of his future prospects. Mountain Rose’s hard labour could not go beyond helping him to fill the frame.
Rehan had led his first winner Tio Pepe right at the start of the day where the on-money favourite Living Logic was given a thrashing by the aged son of Reasonable. Tio Pepe registered an encore in the hands of rookie R.K. Mahesh, who like his maternal uncle Malesh Narredu looks destined for a bright future. Mahesh brought Tio Pepe the shortest way home after early leader Silver Line strayed from a straight course.
Silent Deal provided the biggest upset of the day when another rookie Y.S. Faizan made full use of the feather-weight and went pillar to post over the seven-furlong trip. Faizan thus opened his career account with Silent Deal. Hope Floats, who shared favouritism with Wonderbird, could not catch the winner and met frustration despite the desperate bid of Abhishek Habbu to get her going. Wonderbird once again ran below par.
Brave Victor made every post of the seven-furlong journey for the Radhapyari Trophy a winning one in the hands of C. Alford. The rider from Kolkata got an armchair ride astride the Bezan Chenoy-saddled chestnut son of Alnasr Alwasheek out of Brave Ballerina and won pulling up from his rivals, who failed to make any impression at any stage. Going by the betting trend at race time, it emerged that the connections of Saeed Shah’s candidate Genius were quite upbeat about his chances. The Tirol progeny, however, failed to grace the finish. Tralee ran in chase of the winner and was rewarded with a minor berth ahead of Starissima.
Romantic Hero lived up to the expectations of Imtiaz Sait and defied the stiff penalty of 8kg for his previous win. The son of Placerville out of Romantic Feelings gained his second successive victory after being ridden confidently by C. Rajendra. The opposition conceded defeat quite early in the race and it was left to Yannis and the rank outsider Stunning Force to take minor slots. Royal Secret’s late flourish when finishing fourth was too good to be missed and he will be a force to reckon in his own age group.
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