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AWESOME RAJASTHAN ROYALS WINS WIRHOA MILLION

By Mahendra Mallya | 06 Jan 2013 | MUMBAI


Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha leading Rajasthan Royals (B Sreekanth Up), winner of The Western India Race Horse Owners' Association Million

Rajasthan Royals defied the odds stacked against him and the weight he has giving to his illustrious rivals to establish his class and superiority while winning the WIROHA Million in a superlative fashion. For one who was on most occasions grossly underrated, Rajasthan Royals not only outpaced a strong field of 14 runner, but also sniffed the course record of 1:22.52 for the seven-furlong distance by himself clocking a fiery 1:22.86, easily the fastest timing for the distance this season. He did this dictating his own pace from gate to post.

Slipping out quickly from the gates, Rajasthan Royals set a crisp pace from the first stride. The others followed in a close bunch, with the bottom weighted Yuville galloping close behind. Star Trainer, Amadeus and Dancing Glances were swapping positions and Ranthambhore gracing the rear.

Rajasthan Royals came in with a handy lead when Yuville started to inch closer.  Star Trainer failed to quicken and fell into the oblivion sooner than expected. Amadeus got a clear run and started to make his presence felt. Ranthambhore had moved outward to make his charge from the wider outside. They were all going all out after Rajasthan Royals, but the Adhirajsingh Jodha trainee kept the foot firmly on the gas pedal and galloped on all the way to return a convincing winner shaking off all the challengers with amazing ease. Amadeus ran on to run a good second while Yuville and Ranthambhore did only that much to fill in the judge’s frame.

“He has improved a lot after his Bangalore stint. I was confident of his victory in Pune and he has been consistent ever since. He is strong and fit and despite his age he is game for a challenge. I am thrilled with his performance and this victory is certainly one of his best,” trainer Adhiraj Jodha told Indiarace. Asked about his more fancied runner Ranthambhore’s not measuring up to expectations, Adhiraj said “He is big made and takes slightly longer to settle down. He had the inner most draw and the other horses converged in front on him. He had to skirt around and that took away considerable ground. He was forced to take the turn wide too, all this went against him. He fought on to beat a good lot of horses to run fourth.  I am not disappointed with his run, I am confident that he is back in good shape and hopefully his next run would bring a much better  result. Rajasthan Royals on the day, proved too good for the rest of them all, Ranthambhore included”.

The Mid-day Trophy saw a nail-biting finish with leader Cyclops and challenger Gerome involved in a thrilling battle. The race got gripping in the homestretch as Cyclops got past leader Thunder Star soon on turning for home. Gerome improved positions and rose from fifth to be alongside Cyclops and fancied Forest Vision. Cyclops and Gerome proved too fast for Forest Vision and the latter soon dropped out of the fight.

From the stand-side view, it appeared that Gerome was getting a firm grip on the race as he thrust his nose ahead, but Cyclops was not done yet. Cyclops raised his game and matched the speed with Gerome. The heads were bobbing, the shoulders were together as jockeys S Zervan and CS Jodha fought stride for stride. This pair was many lengths clear of the rest. They zipped past the wire locked together and in the paper thin verdict went against Cyclops. Gerome (Choisir – Kobalt Sea) had won it with the drop of his sweat off his nose. 

Meanwhile, Silver Arrow, who was at the rear end of the field and several lengths away, made considerable ground to end just 2 1/2 lengths behind the top two. I say just 2 1/2 lengths due to the fact that Silver Arrow was way too far back and had got to as close to the fighting duo in full flight. Surely Silver Arrow is one for the notebook.

Zervan and Sandesh won three races each on the day and were the show stealers. Besides Gerome, Zervan, who is on a dream run this season, had guided Ambrosia to a splendid win in the Velvet Rope Trophy over 2000 meters.

Ambrosia (Razeen – Adored) was ridden well off the pace and was a distance behind Spirit Of Mercy who set off at a lively pace. Limitless Hills and Cogito Ergo Sum were the ones galloping behind the leader, while another 6-7 lengths behind was Ambrosia who had Maximus on her tail and Enlightenment further back trying to recover from a slow start.

Spirit Of Mercy entered the straight with a clear lead and was travelling well too. Ambrosia had cleared a good chunk of the deficit as they were nearing the turn and soon set about in chase. Maximus got closer to Ambrosia too, but failed to accelerate further with the same thrust. Ambrosia caught up with Spirit Of Mercy inside the final furlong and when she put her best forward, she had enough to forge ahead and win by half a length. Maximus settled for the third spot just over two lengths adrift.  

Zervan completed a fine treble atop veteran trainer SS Shah’s Papakura (Senure – Autocop). This one was a far easier ride to victory as once they turned for home; Papakura sprang to the lead with 400 to go and from there simply sailed away from the rest. Papakura took charge from long time leader Krypton and produced an impressive burst to stretch out well and kept the momentum going all the way to the winning post. Starring improved from the mid-bunch and ran on to finish a tame second. Fond Memories gave her supporters a little bit to shout about but never really raised any hope.  She was beaten to third by Starring while Jacqueline Smile usurped the final position in the frame.

Sandesh matched Zervan’s achievements on the turf and had his series of positive results in three races as well. Sandesh set the ball rolling with piping hot favourite Saturday Affair (Ace – Native Tactics). Sandesh took off with Saturday Affair at a fast pace and was clear of the field when they turned for the final run. Mid-way in the straight and Saturday Affair appeared under no threat and it seemed a matter of a few seconds before she logged her maiden victory. Sandesh was apparently confident too as he just let Saturday Affair complete the formality when in s sudden burst, Stiletto gathered rapid momentum. Stiletto covered a lot of ground and nearly embarrassed the connections with that telling late burst. Fortunately for Sandesh, Saturday Affair had enough cushion in hand which helped her stay ahead by the shortest of margins. Another stride and the story would have been a lot different. The finish was dangerously close for the Dallas Todywalla camp.

In the very next race Sandesh pulled off a contrasting run-away victory astride Snow Angel (Noverre – Ashwakrupa) from MK Jadhav’s stables. The favourite was quickly off the stalls and Sandesh sped away to establish an impressive lead which proved a decisive one once they turned for home. Snow Angel showed lovely rhythm and systematically got away and out of reach of her rivals even before the distance post. She completely overwhelmed the opposition and it was an effortless silencing of her rivals. Capitano and Adams Vision who were closest to Snow Angel on turning for home, proved no match as Snow Angel left them far behind fending for the minor placing. Fly By Me ran green and could do no better than grab the only place left in the frame.

Sandesh completed a fine treble when he partnered MK Jadhav’s Edwina to an impressive victory. This one too was a start-to-finish essay and no troubled brewed at any stage. Edwina shot out of the gates and assumed the leader’s role and went at a cracking pace. Fireheart was quickly in chase with Monsieur Strauss and Scarlet Regent close behind.

Into the straight, Edwina sped ahead purposefully leaving the ones behind struggling to catch up. Ice Empire covered good ground in the latter half of the straight but had too much to do to pack the winner off. She finished on well to be a noble second ahead of last start winner Monsieur Strauss and Fireheart did well to end in the frame.

Shahenshah proved a costly disappointment and the prime fancy shocked her followers to finish dead-last.  At no time in the race did Shahenshah provide any visions of victory. He was travelling behind leader El Clasico until the turn and then simply faded away as though jaded. Mighty King smoothly moved ahead and took firm charge once El Clasico gave up the lead. He was dominant in the final furlong having moved ahead and piled a handy lead and when Etesian and Set To Fly tried to gather speed and topple him. Mighty King galloped on regardless and registered a fairly comfortable victory in the hands of CS Jodha (who replaced Rajendra) sparing over two-lengths at the wire.

Ad Infinitum (Royal Kingdom – Tout de Suite) after three previous forgettable runs over shorter distances, relished the long Mumbai straight and the longer distance to make her presence felt and lodge her maiden victory in her fourth attempt. The slow pace of the race seemed to have given her time to get all her bearings right as jockey Neeraj Rawal was coaxing her even before the bend to wake up for the cause. A couple of backhanders past the 800 and vigorous pushing and plodding got her alive in the final furlong. She had to contend with Wind of the Hills, Dancing Splendour and Equinox in the final stages. She was lucky as a yawning gap created by Wind of the Hills going wide when in the lead invited Ad Infinitum to surge through. It was too good an opportunity and the Nosher Cama trained mare was motivated to pick herself up and zoom through to bring home the bacon more to the surprise than joy of her connections. This was indeed a splendid show by Ad Infinitum who has indicated that she would prefer the longer distances.

For the professionals, trainer MK Jadhav compiled a well-rewarding double with two fancied runners, while Zervan and Sandesh scored a fine treble each.