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Daring Don fulfills expectations
By Sharan Kumar | 09 Jan 2004 | BANGALORE
Daring Don (Gnaneshwar up) winner of The F K Irani memorial Cup being led by trainer Samar Singh
Samar Singh trained Daring Don’s victory in the F K Irani Memorial Cup was only an extension of the good form that he had showed in his previous essay in a terms race where he lost a place on board by a whisker to Just Brave. Now taking on a modest opposition in a handicap race and assigned to the in-form apprentice Gnaneshwar, Daring Don asserted his supremacy in splendid fashion. The ton of money that he attracted in the ring was only a measure of confidence that he enjoyed in everyone’s estimation.
There was some solid support to Nimitz who had run Star Wind close but he was not up to the task. Storm The Fort, another of market fancies, faded out after showing out prominently at the top of the straight. It was left to old warhorse Soviet Bay to throw a semblance of challenge to the eventual winner. Chity Bang did the front running before retiring gracefully on turning for home at which point, Soviet Bay slipped into the lead coming through the shortest way home. Storm The Fort offered a brief resistance but Daring Don who came up with raking strides on the wide outside, surged ahead and won with a measure of ease from Soviet Bay. Nimitz managed to take the third spot ahead of Storm The Fort who seems to have lost his old form.
Dr Evil had all the credentials to win the Novice Plate, a five and a half furlong race for maiden three-year olds. But Own Elegance, who had finished 11 out of 11 in her last essay, was backed to the exclusion of the rest so much so that the price on Dr Evil drifted out to end at nourishing odds. In the past, the expectations of the punters on such non-performers from the gold and brigade had been fulfilled but competition has now picked up and reputations are made on the racetrack and not on the volume of betting that a horse from this stable routinely attracts in the ring. Jockey Ronen Thomas took Dr Evil on a start to finish mission and the son of Ajaad stretched away for a facile win by over five lengths. Favourite Own Elegance was totally outclassed. Mount Royale covered plenty of ground in the end to finish a suggestive third.
Starzaan who had choked close home in his last essay, came good in the W J Sibbritt Memorial Stakes, winning with ease from Solar Rocket who despite being ridden to the ground and lackluster effort from Shakti Singh, took the runner up spot. Torodoro was expected to be in the thick of things but he was a disappointing third. There were quite a few who found fault with jockey Silva’s riding for not being vigorous but then that is the way she does things when winning or losing and despair is something that one has to live with.
Hero Worship was the medium of a good touch in the 1200 metres Tumkur Plate. The son of Conquering Hero quickened nicely on turning for home and held on gamely from a late-finishing Brora who is running into winning form. Dare You Say held on to finish third while All Rainbows who received inspired support in the ring was the first horse to call it a day at the top of the straight.
Samar Singh had a double for the day in association with jockey Gnaneshwar. Black Cat, who was knocking on the doors, was allowed to run at fancy odds as money poured on Bohemian Girl. Black Cat picked up momentum close home and won with great deal of ease from the favourite. In the day’s other action, Simple And Sweet duly won from Pop Star, Buddy and Ondhu Ondhu Ondhu.
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