One has not seen the likes of Stagecraft in recent years. He is undoubtedly an extraordinary specimen. It is a pity that his career has been interrupted by physical problems that prevented him from winning his share of races as a juvenile. Making a belated debut as a four-year old in the early part of the Summer season, Stagecraft smashed opposition in a manner that was breath-taking. He repeated the feat in his second run but reserved his extraordinary feat for the third when his connections decided to take a quantum jump and race him against the horses belonging to the highest class in the 1600 metres J B Mallaradya Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, that featured Saturday’s races. He passed the test in spectacular fashion, putting daylight between himself and the rest to herald his arrival as a horse of immense potential and one to follow in the terms races during the monsoon and winter seasons. The more likely immediate target could be the Nizam’s Cup at Hyderabad.

 

Stagecraft perhaps gets the distinction of being the first horse to move up in handicap in such exemplary fashion in just three runs and win straightaway in the highest class. Classic horses have taken a little longer to make their presence felt in elite company against older horses. Though Stage Craft was out handicapped, he enjoyed public confidence despite the overweight carried by his jockey Suraj Narredu. Believer, no mean horse, was expected to pose a hurdle or two but Stagecraft proved to be something special. Believer led the field from the word `go’, with Stagecraft in four or fifth position and gradually moving up to be behind the front runner approaching the final bend. Suraj did not have to search for good ground as Stage Craft was handling the difficult underfoot conditions remarkably well. When asked for an effort, Stagecraft stretched away to spare over seven lengths to Believer who in turn was way ahead of Blue Hare. The rest of the runners were flat-footed. Stagecraft is a full brother to the celebrated Wild Eagle but appears to be infinitely better.

 

Rashid Byramji’s three-year old filly Camarioca is certainly a classic horse in the making. The daughter of Burden of Proof recorded her second straight win in splendid fashion. Dr Evil who trailed the field, finished on strongly to be an eye-catching second ahead of Thursday Nite who clearly did not relish the soft underfoot conditions. The progeny of Glory of Dancer have shown a distinct dislike if the track is cut up.

 

Arjun Mangalorkar’s Reach Out was unfortunate to lose the Tokyo Plate due to inept handling by jockey Harish. Suraj on Dakshinam shifted out on turning for home in search of good ground but to his dismay, found the horse drifting further and interfering with Grey Hawk who was on his outside. Grey Hawk however managed to edge out the front-runner close home. In the meanwhile, Harish who raced Reach Out, out of reach of the front-runners in the early part, chose to bring his horse on the wide outside despite seeing the horses in front drifting out and he finally ended up on sand track. Apparently, the front-runners had no role to play in his going to the sand track and it was his own lack of judgment or will that resulted in this folly. The Stewards who ordered an enquiry into the race strangely relegated Dakshinam to the third position. Dakshinam did cause interference to Grey Hawk but since that did not alter the final result, the ruling must be considered dubious indeed because Reach Out suffered due to the fault of his jockey and not due to the front running duo shifting out. Harish, instead of being pulled up for his poor handling, ended up getting the second slot by default. The public lost good money on account of his incompetence while the trainer too suffered similar fate as he let go of his anger on the jockey both in the paddock and in the weighing room which resulted in the Stipes slapping a fine of Rs 5,000 on Arjun Mangalorkar for improper professional conduct. Only can only sympathize with the trainer’s frustrations.

 

After picking up enough stake money, Freebee was given the go ahead and the daughter of Bee’s Prospector was not unduly pressed when claiming the Santorini Star Plate (Div I). There was a flood of money on Fashion Verdict but nothing has gone right for trainer Loknath during the season. The favorite ended second best as Freebee took charge of the proceedings from the start and stretched away in the straight to record a facile win. The lower division of the race was claimed by Crown Court who is bred as half brother to India’s best horse ever Saddle Up. Though he looked soft and far from ready, he had enough class to win from a late-finishing Sunlight King who without much recorded preparation served notice of an early win. 

 

Silva who steered Freebee, had another win for the day when she guided Space Craft to a resolute win over Aerographer and Newmachar in the 1800 metres Maj E Fownes Memorial Plate. Top-weighted Titanium received a flood of support but he found the going hard to tackle. Relishing the conditions, Space Craft accounted for the opposition quite capably. 

 

Sholavaram bred horses are mostly confined to Chennai but one of those who got a chance to show his mettle was the son of Predapio. Spirited Vision who was quietly supported by the people in the know, just about held on to win from Cartouche who put a noteworthy effort after many disappointing runs. Anaroma swallowed much public money with a doleful performance. Silver Ring who had let down as a favourite last time out, won at the expense of Impressive and a late finishing Bohemian Girl to provide apprentice jockey J Rahul, the first win of his career.