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Impressive El Tropico Wins Serum Institute Trophy
By Mahendra Mallya | 28 Feb 2010 | MUMBAI
El Tropico (S A De Sousa Up), winner of the Serum Institute of India Trophy
Trainer Siraj Sunderji had a prolific day as three of his trainees came out with flying colours not to mention the second and third places in the big one – The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr1). The lead-up on the day to the PBMM couldn’t be better for Siraj as both his charges, El Tropico and River Knight, obliged with conviction.
El Tropico (Juniper – Nature’s Miracle) carrying the bottom weight, never let Forever Young get away and tagged along all the way into the straight. Jockey SA De Sousa who has struck top form, eased El Tropico into the lead even as Forever Young was ridden out to stay alongside. Within a couple of strides from here, it was clear that De Sousa had the race well in control even before they hit the distance post. Forever Young just couldn’t match strides and the weight difference was just too much for her. However, the manner of victory of El Tropico was impressive and El Tropico proved that he belongs to the top class without doubt. Irish Queen had a good run too finishing on, on the haunches of Forever Young.
River Knight (Razeen – Set Aside), after a couple of below par outings, vindicated his trainer’s decision of strapping on the blinkers. Angelo shot into the early lead and did extremely well to finish a good third and showed his fighting spirit over the gruelling mile-and-a-half trip. Angelo brought the field homewards and made River Knight earn his way to the front. Confiserie was in the picture briefly but could not raise to the occasion. Doi Moi and Cambiasso, who were at the rear, made their move at the same juncture, but it was Cambiasso who quickened well to proceed and stretch the winner.
Sea of Kisses was prominent midway up the straight, but moved inwards for reasons best known to his jockey Richard Hughes and just failed to make the judge’s frame holing out to Doi Moi. A lot was expected from River Knight as he is the sibling of the great filly Set Alight. After his winning debut in Pune, he had failed to live up to the top billing conferred upon him merely on his pedigree. He however, made amends amply to lift the Interactive (India) Ltd. Trophy.
River Memories (China Visit – Santorini Star) served as a fitting booster to the Wadhawan camp after Ocean And Beyond dampened the spirits somewhat owing to the PBMM loss a race earlier. Coming from a detached second bunch of horses, River Memories gained momentum with able assistance from Richard Hughes and sailed past the favourite Star Crowned in the final furlong. Star Crowned shaped well in the straight and accounted for Bright Future who had just gotten past the long-time leader Highland Bounty. River Memories progressed between horses to force his way through and get to the front just inside the last furlong. Once in the lead, River Memories surged further away without encountering any challenge to lift the Jasdanwalla Cup. Vibgyor came from behind to wrest the runner-up berth from Star Crowned and Big Old Man too grabbed the final place in the frame from Tudor Regent.
Long shot Hugo (Greensmith – Mariella) returned to his old form when least expected. After some ‘nothing to recall’ runs, Hugo surprised the followers of form to win the Rusi Patel Trophy beating another outsider in Romantic Impact. The popular choice Swahili was the biggest disappointment. Priapus played the pacesetter and escorted the field into the straight before bowing out. Romantic Impact soon took over amid lurking threat coming from Swahili who was just behind. Swahili failed to quicken as he had done in the past and seizing the opportunity, Hugo produced his best this season to collar both Swahili and Romantic Impact close home and win the Rusi Patel Trophy. Equidae warmed up far too late but put in a noteworthy gallop to end a close third.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy for 3 year-old maidens wore an open look with a couple of first timers taken on rivals with short experience. Awesomeness though was installed favourite on the basis of his late finish, third to Batista on debut. Illustrious (Emerald Cat – Splendid) hit the front and grabbed the upper hand quickly and it is to the credit of jockey Rajendra that he managed to keep the momentum going all the way. Awesomeness chased the leader throughout the race until the final furlong. Constantina and Emerald Valley made the front bunch while the rest did not quicken at all. Illustrious maintained a safe distance in the lead and when Constantina lived up in the final stages of the race, Illustrious had enough to ensure she stayed ahead. Constantina too will return with a lot of post race pluses and it would be worthwhile to keep tabs on her progress.
Saints N Sinners (Burden of Proof – Corsicana) followed his last start victory with another one over a furlong less than last time to win the BCA ‘India – Australia’ Cup. Taking on a full house of 21 rivals and overcoming a wide draw, jockey McCullagh steered the Rehanullah Khan-trainee to an emphatic victory.
McCullagh nursed the gelding to the front bunch without exerting too much and settled into the fifth position in the huge field. Blue Thunder brought the field into view but had Alize and Feona too close for comfort. Meanwhile, Saints N Sinners got into the thick of things and at the business end put in a string gallop to outpace the rest. Alize was rewarded the runner-up berth for her relentless effort. Marine Zone needs special mention to have come on strongly to run into place money a neck ahead of Gatravat who didn’t do too badly either.
Tehrani (Flitch – Share The Spirit) won the day’s opener with surprising ease. Mypethoney and Tehrani entered the straight well ahead of the rest. Mypethoney soon weakened making it easy for Tehrani who accelerated further and stretched away to post a comfortable victory. Nonios ran on to finish second while Kimaya put in a late gallop to claim place money.
Trainer SK Sunderji sent out a fine treble while trainer Imtiaz Sait and jockeys SA De Sousa and C Rajendra scored a double each.
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