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Taipan wins a thriller
By Sharan Kumar | 25 Mar 2004 | BANGALORE
Taipan (David Badel up) winner of the R.W.I.T.C Trophy being led in by trainer M.Eshwer
Taipan who was steadily improving as the season was coming to a close, struck form in the nick of time to pip Solar Rocket in a thriller on the concluding day of the Bangalore Winter Season on Thursday. Taipan appeared to have lost his zest but found his bearings with a late surge perhaps relishing the hard underfoot conditions in the scorching heat of Bangalore to win from a difficult position.
Some poor tactical riding by Shobhan Babu undermined Solar Rocket who was bidding for his third win. Solar Rocket had moved to the highest class swiftly with just two runaway wins and considering the form that he was in, the son of Sir Bruce was expected to maintain his winning streak. Shobhan Babu unwisely chased Winelight and then hustled Solar Rocket to take over the running at the top of the straight. Solar Rocket went clear of the field and established what looked like a winning margin but he was grinding to a halt close home.
Taipan who responded well to the urgings of jockey David Badel, flew home to get the nod in the last stride, a mere nose separating the first two. Blue Hare was a faraway third while Starzaan continued his unpredictable ways after a brilliant show in his last essay. The winner clocked a smart time of one minute 26.39 seconds and trainer Michael Eshwer deserves credit for persevering in his endeavor to get Taipan back to his winning ways.
Rashid Byramji’s Crown Ambassador had everything going for him in the Varada Stakes as apprentice jockey Mark who was claiming five kg allowance was guiding him. But Mark, in trying to settle the favourite, saw to his chagrin, the saddle shift right to the front so much so that the jockeys legs were dangling below the neck of the horse. Mark could not offer any assistance to the horse and throughout the race; his only concern was to ensure that he did not fall or if he was unseated, to look for safe ground. Special Request shaped like a winner as he went clear on turning for home but found the nine-furlong trip a little beyond his capability and slackened close home. This enabled Indian Native to catch up in the shadow of the post. Crown Ambassador finished fifth and was less than five lengths from the winner and barring this mishap; he could have well justified the support in the ring.
Ganapathy trained Elite Zone showed out to be a good type of a juvenile when trouncing the opposition in the Gangavathi Trophy, a race for three-year olds, run over a sprint. The son of Placerville left the field stranded after entering the straight and recorded a decisive win. Vishnupriya was a long way second ahead of Black Berry. In contrast, the Ullal Beach Stakes, a race for seven furlongs for maiden three-year olds did not have a competitive field. The trainer-jockey combination of Irfan Ghatala and Silva Storai mopped up both races, in the process the jockey reportedly recording her first double in a day’s races. There was inspired support for Final Fantasy who is bred as full sister of celebrated Star Supreme but she did not raise hopes either at the paddock parade or during the race. Mount Royale had a long lead over the rest but Fioredoro easily collared the front-runner without much fuss and won with something to spare. In the lower division where most of the runners appeared below par, Sandokan came from way behind and sailed pas the front-runners with effortless ease.
Nimitz got up in time to overhaul the front-running Astigmatic and Limitations to land the spoils. Silver Cat proved too speedy for the opposition Kumta Stakes, a race for horses rated 10 to 25, at the expense of Track Fantasy. Trainer Inayathulla who has found the winner elusive right through the season, having the mortification of seeing as many as 18 of his wards end up second best, saddled track Fantasy.
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