Indiarace.com - india's first & foremost horse racing portal

Adhiraj’s Ranthambhore Reigns Supreme

By Mahendra Mallya | 15 Apr 2012 | MUMBAI


Mrs Magansingh P Jodha receiving The Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy Gr-3 from Mr Champaklal Zaveri

Ranthambhore (Hymn – Radiance) passed the test by fire to beat a tough set of top class rivals and bring home the Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy (Gr3) with a gallant show on the turf. Settling last of the six runners, Ranthambhore yet again produced his sizzling gallop at the business end to hold a spirited challenge thrown by Berlusconi. Onassis surprisingly did not trouble the winner at any stage.

Dear Henry, as always, hit the front and worked up a true pace leading them clearly until the turn. Berlusconi was up in second and not too far away were the rest – Onassis, Star Trainer, Ciel Indienne and Ranthambhore in that order. Ranthambhore made steady progress without much effort and was ready to strike as they straightened for home. Dear Henry wilted in the last 300 when Berlusconi powered past him. Onassis and Ranthambhore made their move precisely at the same juncture. Ranthambhore tackled Onassis without trouble but had to make an effort to get past Berlusconi inside the final furlong. Although Onassis was creeping close behind, he never raised a hope. Ranthambhore got stronger coming into the final furlong and although he looked good all the way, he sealed the issue only in the final 100 meters to score his first success in a group race and he did it with his narrowest margin of victory till date – one length!

The Bahrain Trophy was the lead-up to the feature event and some loose talk led many to believe that Act of War would be withdrawn. However, nothing of the sort happened as Act of War walked into the paddock and also ran the race as a prime fancy. Malesh Narredu’s Maximus (Royal Kingdom – Marquisa) also received good support and was next in demand.

At the start, Windmill Lady got past Taj E Shahi to control the proceedings with Mighty King close behind, Maximus ran a close fourth, a couple of lengths away was Macedonian and they formed the front bunch. Act of War was further behind. Windmill Lady could not quicken when Mighty King got past her and soon jockey DK Ashish switched lanes to produce Maximus alongside the front runners. Maximus found no difficulty in getting past Mighty King and he stormed ahead approaching the distance post. Into the final furlong, Maximus had a clear lead and Ashish ensured that he didn’t relax and sustained his gallop past the post to clinch the Bahrain Trophy without encountering any challenge. Macedonian warmed up far too late but showed good paces to cut the margin with his fast finishing effort. Act of War surfaced when all was over to take the bottom rung of the judge’s frame, well behind Mighty King.

Rodeo (Home Affairs – Rainbow Vision) led the small field of four rookie aspirants searching for their maiden success. He kept the lead all the way to the wire and handled the pressure much better than Zanthos who ran a bit erratic while tackling Rodeo. Rodeo made his own pace with Krypton and Zanthos in tow, Equinox ran a detached last all the way until the turn. There was a bit of jostle between Krypton and Zanthos soon on turning for home. Rodeo galloped on relentlessly and while Zanthos did manage to get closer and even got to less than a length of Rodeo. However, he failed to keep a disciplined straight course and ran a bit green thus losing whatever chances he had. Rodeo sped away to notch a memorable first win convincingly.

Trainer Bezan Chenoy picked up the last two races saddling two well-backed winners - Dictator (China Visit – All Heart) and Moonscape (Senure – Cafe Noire). Dictator had it easy until the final stages as he settled early and well into the second position as Roesti ran away to construct a over-five-length lead. Star Empire stayed in the rear and made progress only at the turn. The entire field which followed Roesti were closely huddled.

Jockey YS Srinath eased Dictator into the straight and waited for a while before opening him out. He was travelling sweetly and when asked to surge, he shot ahead past Roesti to take charge. Star Empire moved up along the rails and found an inviting gap to make quick progress to be one behind Dictator approaching the distance post. Living The Dream showed old zest to be close up with the two in front. Dictator powered his way in front while Star Empire was making a strong bid on his outside. In the final fifty, Star Empire looked imposing as he was gaining on Dictator but the latter didn’t falter and carried his momentum past the wire to hold on narrowly. Star Empire yet again had to taste defeat but this time he was much closer to the winner. Living The Dream ended a decent third.

Moonscape was confidently ridden by promising apprentice Tushar Nemane who relied on his pushing to inch his way to the winning post smothering a stiff challenge posed by a spirited Expelliarmus who fought bravely until the end. Expelliarmus got straight down to business and led them at a good clip. Pronto Star too showed good early speed and was right up close behind Expelliarmus and Moonscape was not too far behind. As they turned the corner, Expelliarmus was steadily progressing. Pronto Star gave chase and got to her haunches. Moonscape moved closer to the two and the three were grappling for the lead.

Expelliarmus was resisting Pronto Star strongly and was not letting go of the lead. Pronto Star tried his best but couldn’t get past. Meanwhile, Moonscape got the measure of Pronto Star and Nemane was working up Moonscape’s final charge. He gained on Expelliarmus and got her in the final few strides to just win by half a length.

Fast And Furious (China Visit – Serrafina) lived up to his name finally and notched up a memorable first win of his career. The front bunch comprising Heavenly Prize, Afsoon, Intequam, Fairy Queen, Encore and Fast And Furious were pretty closely knit as they hit the turn. Bat Yam, the prime fancy was way behind and he committed hara-kiri by taking the turn wide and going further wide out to the extreme end of the track.

Heavenly Prize and Intequam were disputing the lead on turning for home when Encore produced a promising gallop to get past them. Fast And Furious moved up weaving his way through horses and Sandesh set him alight coming into the final furlong. Encore provided a tough fight and the two pulled away from the rest. A grim battle ensued as both Fast And Furious and Encore fought out the final 100 meters. Fast And Furious got stronger at the finish to score his maiden victory. Encore was a notable second and while Afsoon galloped on to claim place money.

Sacred Soul (Placerville – Pre Eminent) rewarded her connections pulling off a good gamble if there was one and obliged at nourishing odds. While Saddlers Rule and Ibis cornered most of the betting, Sacred Soul was being offered at 6 to 1.

Major Wager did the front running all the way until they straightened up. Sacred Soul, who was chasing Major Wager all the time, shifted gears and took charge soon past the 400. Ibis moved along the rails and then switched to the outside to mount her challenge. Saddlers Rule was never prominent. In the final furlong, Sacred Soul and Ibis drew the battle lines and matched stride for stride all the way to the wire. Both went for broke and on the wire, Sacred Soul managed to nose his rival off to win in a sensational manner.

Perfect Strength, trained by Subhag Singh scored a fashionable victory in the opening race of the day. Sitting close behind early leader Adventurer and Apache Indian, Perfect Strength sizzled past the duo and shot ahead displaying tremendous speed. By the time they hit the final furlong marker, Perfect Strength had sewed by the race with ridiculous ease. It was a no-contest as none of his rivals matched up to his brilliance and Perfect Strength established his fitness and staying power to decimate the opposition with complete authority.  Cougar who was detached last until the turn did well to run a faraway second.

For the professionals trainer Bezan Chenoy and jockey Dashrath Singh scored a double each.