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De Sousa Powers Slickkit to Superb Victory
By Mahendra Mallya | 18 Feb 2010 | MUMBAI
Trainer Altamash Ahmed leading Slickkit (S De Sousa Up), winner of The Sir Charles Forbes Trophy
Slickkit (Senure – Baloustar), from the stables of trainer Altamash Ahmed and well ridden by S A De Sousa romped home to beat favourite Ecstatica convincingly to win the Sir Charles Forbes Trophy is taking style. Call To Arms led the pack and had The Gain, Divine, Clarion Call, Ecstatica and Slickkit all close on his heels. On straightening up, Ecstatica made quick progress to take charge past the 400. Tge Gain and Divine were not up to it as Slickkit followed the path of Ecstatica between horses to start to chase down the two length lead that Ecstatica had built up. Ecstatica came under pressure from Slickkit at the distance post and surrendered the lead meekly as Slickkit produced a decisive final burst to collar Ecstatica and surge past the favourite with conviction. The resounding victory ought to earn Slickkit a nomination for the sprinters cup during the Invitation weekend.
Violetta (China Visit – Perpetual) from Pesi Shroff’s yard proved too good for her opposition in the five-furlong Emperado Plate. Sepia Tone hit the front soon on start and was closely followed by Star Attraction, Oyster Blue, Classic Ruler, Blazing Spectacle. Violetta was closer to the rear but improving constantly. Sepia Tone faded away on straightening up as Star Attraction went ahead. Soon Violetta came abreast, devouring ground with giant strides to speed past them all. Violetta thus completed a three-in-a-row victories a first for a China Visit progeny over the five furlong scurry. She improved on her earlier timing as well clocking under a minute for the first time. Blazing Spectacle did well to take the runner up berth from Star Attraction.
Notability (Placerville – Thanksgiving) gave apprentice jockey Kavraj Singh a ride to remember as the Karthik trainee provided the young lad his first career victory which is so very important for any professional. Sitting up in front just behind Surmount, Kavraj hustled Notability pas the leader midway in the homestretch. Once Notability stormed into the lead, there was no doubt he would kick on. Sparkler who was chasing the duo most of the time, improved towards the end to garb the runner up berth form Surmount who did well to hold to the third spot.
Opportunity was a big disappointment. She did not get the fastest of starts and ran a below par race. West End broke a blood vessel and Banana Boy ran green taking the turn wide almost on the outer rails and even stopped galloping about 50 m from home.
Ocean Power (Ontario – Indira) powered his way to the front in the final furlong to post her maiden victory in a scintillating fashion. Her stable mate Ocean Legacy made the running initially with Titleist in pursuit. Ocean Power settle in third about three lengths adrift. Legionnaire, who received tremendous support in the betting ring, just couldn’t make any impression whatsoever. Titleist easily got past Ocean Legacy and barely had he taken charge when jockey Rajendra got Ocean Power to respond. The Sunderji ward came up with a terrific burst to sail past Titleist to post a facile victory in under the minute.
A Stewards’ inquiry was ordered as the stipes noticed that Titleist hand lugged in at about 200 m thereby preventing Ocean Legacy a clear run. The Stewards, however, did not change the order declared by the judge.
Absolute Reality (Mr Mellon – Yes No Maybe So) displayed tremendous form and registered the most facile victory of the day. Grabbing the lead soon on settling down, Absolute Reality stretched her lead in the straight. Absolute Reality got stronger as the race progressed and there was no worthwhile challenge emerging from any quarter. Favourite Grand Warrior ran a disappointing race. Top Action, who was chasing the winner all the way, ended doing so. Full Throttle was the one who improved from the rear to finish into place money.
Shodaan finally gave his connections something to shout about with a comfortable victory over the equally well-backed Golden Grace. Shodaan (Major Impact – Flames) who has always been consistent in his previous runs, earned a solid victory, sparing two-and-a-half lengths to Golden Grace. Sitting second behind Golden Grace until the straight, Shodaan moved alongside the leader soon past the 400 and encountered little resistance going into the lead. Wings Of Angels was the other closet rival but she was working hard to stay ahead of the rest. Shodaan won with a measure of comfort, while Golden Grace just managed to keep Wings of Angles from snatching the second spot.
Shabdeez (Brave Hunter – Honey N’ Gold) pulled off a surprise victory in the last race but her connections were not too surprised, so it seems. News from the ring, post the race, stated that the Asad Siddiqui ward had found some backers to shake her odds before race time.
Medtias Pride set a decent pace and brought the field homeward. Gypsy Queen was in chase while favourite Distinguished was working hard to match strides. Soon Shabdeez with V Chandrakant started to warm up and covered ground with purpose. Medtias Pride fought on bravely but in the final 100 metres Shabdeez grew stronger and had no difficulty in passing Medtias Pride and posting a well deserved victory. Grey Island covered a lot of ground to finish a notable fourth just short head behind Gypsy Queen.
Trainer Altamash Ahmed and jockey NS Parmar were the only professionals to score a double each.
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