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Mystic Heights swamps opposition
By Sharan Kumar | 16 Jan 2004 | BANGALORE
Mystic Heights (Suraj Narredu up) winner of The Nilgiris Cup being led by trainer Padmanabhan
Curiously Mystic Heights’ ascent started only after his full sister Fair Always won the Indian 1000 Guineas last month. Mystic Heights, who has had a series of hiccups, has come good and his win in the 2000 metres Nilgiris Cup which featured Friday’s races was only a confirmation of the fact that he can only improve from now onwards. His narrow win over Aerographer last time out may have put off many into being guided by the relative weights of the runners as against the possible improvement that a winner is always capable of showing. They were soon ruing their decision of making Chimango as a firm favourite. Assigned to Suraj Narredu who is the star of the moment, the Padmanabhan trainee, Mystic Heights led the field from the word `go’ and won pulling up from Aerographer and Baffert. Chimango gulped down lot of good money. Master Craft has been given too many chances to prove his credentials but he is grossly overrated.
Mystic Heights hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the mile and quarter trip and stayed there quite comfortably till the end. In fact, the son of Alnasr Alwasheek who was traveling well within himself into the straight quickened nicely when asked for an effort and had a lot to spare, underlining the tremendous improvement he had made since his last essay. Aerographer was second ahead of Baffert who ran a fair race considering his lackluster runs in the recent past. Summer Storm was a fair fourth and considering the form that the son of International has struck, he may strike again in less exalted company.
Price wise, full brother to the well-performed Allied Forces must have commanded as high estimation but performance wise, he has a long way to go. Pricewise was backed to the exclusion of his rivals though the trip was expected to be sharp for him so much so that Stilton, who had reasonable credentials, was allowed to run at nourishing odds. Stilton led the field from the word `go’ and jockey Suraj Narredu could afford to relax close home. Pricewise who was out sprinted, finished on to take the second spot ahead of Winds of Fire.
The six-event card did not run kindly for punters who ended up the day in a poor way. Goldsmith had all the credentials to repeat but the Dominic trainee, who failed to take a favourable position early on, was a beaten horse before the final turn. Allespange, a worthy runner barring his disappointing run on the previous occasion, had the race well sewn up from the start and finished well clear of Dizzy Lizzy. Trrillennium was another who let down badly, running a poor fourth as Autobahn recorded an encore quite capably. King’s Pride was a noteworthy second.
Darashah trained Emilio led all the way to win the Gumbaz Cup unchallenged. There was solid support for Dramatic Heights but then the full sister to celebrated Running Flame hasn’t furnished well and has a long way to go. In the day’s other action, a big touch on Red Fort failed to come off as Adarco picked up momentum close home and won much to the chagrin of the followers of the favourite who looked a winner when he cruised into the lead at the top of the straight. Towering Success was unlucky not to get the luck of the race and he was a noteworthy third.
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