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Heavy Showers Curtail Racing at Bangalore

By Pearcey | 23 Nov 2012 | BANGALORE


Trainer S S Attaollahi leading Striking (P S Chouhan Up), winner of The November Plate

Wet and gloomy conditions welcomed racegoers to The Bangalore Turf Club on Friday. A heavy downpour about an hour prior to the scheduled time of the first race soaked the race track. The Stewards took stock of the situation and decided to delay the start of the nine event card by half an hour. At the same time, they asked the stipes to check the penetrometer readings prevailing at that point in time. Even though it was found that the going had turned from good to soft and the readings had climbed from 3.6 to 5.5, they decided to go ahead with the afternoon’s programme. Almost everyone realized that should there be some more showers, the authorities would be compelled to put an immediate stop to racing, as an even softer track would endanger the lives of the jockeys. The weather improved before the first race, but soon thereafter, the sky became darker and darker. The start of the second race coincided with a fresh spell of rain, and an announcement thereafter confirmed that the rest of the card had been cancelled. 

Both the races held on Friday were won by PS Chouhan. The leading professional was quick to seize his opportunities, and a strong and powerful finish enabled his mounts to finish ahead of the others. The opening event was an interesting race for juveniles. Eight two year olds had accepted to face the starter. With most of them looking well in the paddock, racegoers had to glance at the betting boards as well as the trackwork of the various contenders to find a winner. On all available evidence, Neil Darashah’s Perfect Soul seemed better than the others. His morning work was impressive. The big made horse was well conformed, and he sported a good coat. He was backed at even money ahead of Charlatan and Agostini. With second favourite Charlatan being declared a non-starter at the gates, Perfect Soul’s job seemed a bit easier. With Suraj Narredu astride, the favourite stepped comfortably into the gates. With all seven getting of to an even start, it was the lone filly in this group that went ahead. Chouhan nursed Striking into a comfortable lead ahead of Prince Academy and Perfect Soul. With all three racing in close order, it was difficult to say who was traveling better at this stage. Near the top of the straight, things became clearer. Striking on the rails and Perfect Soul on her outside, began to pull away from the rest. Perfect Soul roused hopes of a popular victory, as he came alongside Striking in the final furlong. But Chouhan and Striking were not giving up without a fight. The filly fought back on the rails and got stronger at the finish. She finally won comfortably from Perfect Soul, Agostini and Prince Academy. The last named ran very green throughout this race, and is sure to improve after this experience. 

The next race was a scurry for horses in class IV. JS Pillay’s three year old filly Rich Celebration had been running some good races in maiden company. She had been a trifle unlucky to have lost in a couple of close finishes. She was undoubtedly one of the better three year olds in the 20-45 category at Bangalore. The connections backed her down to firm favouritism with confidence. In heavy drizzle, it was Boudicca that showed early intent and set a strong pace ahead of Sweet Secret and Amar Prem. Chouhan kept Rich Celebration in striking position as the runners took the bend and straightened for home. With Boudicca and Amar Prem running out of gas, it was plain sailing for Rich Celebration. She came with a fluent gallop and sauntered clear of the pack. With most of the early leaders getting exhausted, the minor slots were taken by a pair of late rushing tail-enders. Red Bishop came from the last position to finish second, while Day Trader improved to end a close third. The notable runner in this race was Red Bishop. Despite running over a trip that was really short for him, he made up acres of ground in the straight. He will be too good to miss the day he is campaigned over a longer trip.