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Camarioca wins in a tight finish

By Sharan Kumar | 17 Dec 2004 | BANGALORE


Mr. Zeyn Mirza receiving the Jog Cup from Mr. M Lokesh

Camarioca who let down in the Guineas more due to lack of fitness came good in the Stewards Trophy, barely lasting out the 2000 metres trip, winning at the expense of Brown Sugar, a race for horses rated 40 and above, which featured Friday’s races. Camarioca will surely figure in the line up for the Oaks after this win and though the extended trip of mile and a half may really test her staying abilities, there is no harm in trying because upsets are par for the event which has seen some strange things happen. Brown Sugar who missed action for nearly one year after a tendon injury following his win in the Deccan Derby appears to have come good because with a little more vigor he could have altered the result. If he has taken the race well, Brown Sugar is the one to watch in his future engagements, perhaps the Stayers Cup at Chennai being his ultimate target.
 
Camarioca and Brown Sugar enjoyed more support than the rest in the market and it was perfectly justified as these market leaders from the Kunigal Stud Farm were involved in a tight finish which went in favour of Rashid Byramji trainee. Baffert as is his wont, led the way till into the straight at which part, Ryan Marshall on the favourite made his move. Camarioca smoothly accelerated but appeared to be perceptibly halting as Brown Sugar came up with raking strides only to find the winning post coming to the rescue of the front-runner. Baffert ran on to finish third. The 
rest were out of depth. 
 
Dr Vijay Mallya’s colours were prominent as three of his horses were in their elements. Irish jockey Colm O’Donoghue who has been engaged to ride for beer baron Dr Vijay Mallya, created a favorable impression on his first day on the race track in India. He booted home a brace of winners and he seems to have adapted quickly to the Indian conditions which should augur well for the famous silks. He packed punch on Catch Fire to get the daughter of Tejano to stretch out remarkably in the final furlong to get her past the front-running Dare You Say who had shaped like a winner. Different tactics were tried on Dare You Say as he was held back and brought the shortest way home but much to his 
chagrin he found one better in Catch Fire. La Bella Vita, who led the field into the straight, must have had a useful outing. Donoghue’s other winner came through Scotsville who got strong close home to edge out on-money favourite Bellona. Scotsville had to be really goaded into a winning gallop but what was remarkable about the win was the fact that the jockey did not chase and expend the energies of his horse unlike Malesh Narredu on favourite and Imperial Fire who went hell for leather as if it was a short dash to the winning post. Kartikerri came late to finish third. 
 
Paul Eddery’s frustrating wait finally ended when he managed to keep Noble Excellency’s head in front of Golden Venture who charged home under the relentless riding of Malesh Narredu. Paul who had a good run when he came to India in the last decade, has been struggling to get his touch. 
 
Moahan Valavi brought off a big coup on Demanding who won at nourishing odds the 1400 metres J Tyrell Memorial Plate. Despite being fancied, Demanding was friendless in the betting ring as Diamond Caves was backed to the exclusion of his rivals as if her wins was taken for granted. The jockey of Diamond Caves, Ahsan Quereshi barely managed to stay in the saddle as he lost his balance half way through probably due to the filly losing a stride and the favourite thus lost all chances. Demanding who led from the word `go’, comfortably held on to win from Simply Amazing. 
 
Warren Singh timed his challenge to a nicety in the P Dougall Memorial Plate (Div I) to edge out Mount Royal who had tried runaway tactics. Blairgowrie cornered all the support in the ring but was legless in the final furlong. Laughing Wild threatened to cause an upset but lost steam as Illusive Lady managed to pick up momentum to get the better of Mount Royal who led al the way only to find the winning post a wee bit late. 
 
Darius Byramji’s Hesperus made an impressive debut, claiming the Dharwar Plate, a race for maiden two-year olds, with a start to finish dash. Hesperus should progress far on the handicap scale in the coming months. Cheryl who shared favouritism, has a long way to catch up. In the day’s other action, Dr Pepper recorded an encore, with a comfortable win over Flower Dew.