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Hesperus puts it across Democraticus

By Sharan Kumar | 08 Jul 2006 | BANGALORE


Hesperus (Appu up) winner of the Daisy Appoo B.T.C.Anniversary Cup

The Gr 3 Daisy Appoo BTC Anniversary Cup had one of the best lines up that could be assembled for a seven furlong race. There were as many as seven individual Graded race winners. But the perception of race-goers as well those who offer odds were quite at variance with the closeness of the race. Padmanabhan trained Democraticus certainly had the best credentials but in a race with such a quality field, a slight slip up could produce a shocker. However, Democraticus was backed to the exclusion of his rivals and the cramped price certain did no justice to the quality line up. In keeping with the glorious uncertainties that is the hallmark of the sport, Hesperus, hitherto denied his share of success because of the fact that he was campaigned over trips from six to ten furlongs, blunting his sharpness for the crucial occasion, burst on the scene against the run of expectations and held off a late flourish from Democraticus to earn a well deserved success. Though Hesperus had a chance, the victory surpassed the expectations of even his most optimistic supporters, barring a few exceptions. The victory should also boost the confidence of jockey Appu who has been going through a lean patch. Green Bax hit the front as the starter dispatched the field for the seven furlong trip, with Spectacular Quest, Hesperus, Adesina and Democraticus racing behind, with the others struggling to cope with the early pace. Jockey Suraj Narredu erred in trying to settle his horse soon after the start instead of going with the pace for some distance and then settling into a good position and he got knocked around and very nearly put the rider of Parthenon in great danger. Parthenon was affected by the interference and dropped right back to the rear of the field. Spectacular Quest had the first run on his opponents but he slackened in the final furlong and Hesperus was switched from the rails to take charge. Hesperus quickly established a few lengths lead and this held him in good stead as Democraticus came charging home only to miss the bus by ¾ of a length. Amazing Power, who came from the rear of the field along the rails, did not get a clear run but was full of running at the finish to be a close third. Coral Gables came with a big run on the wide outside but weakened to finish a good fourth. The saddle of Democraticus reportedly shifted out but all said and done, jockey Suraj Narredu needs to improve a great deal to make his mark in big races. It is a pity that the jockey, who showed great potential in his formative years, has not made the expected progress. Unfortunately, in a field where flattery is what the professionals want all the time, criticism of any kind is resented. When two quality horses from the same stable are entered, it often throws the punters into confusion. But more often than not, when it concerns the gold and brown brigade, it is always the best supported one which puts the best foot forward. Unfortunately, for punters who backed Flashy Wings to the exclusion of her rivals, she could not put the best foot forward literally because she pulled up lame. Star Perfection came up with a splendid acceleration to sail past Dynasty inside the final 100 metres to win as she pleased. Alandra, who found the trip sharp, was finishing on purposefully. Man of the Match who had raised great expectations after his fluent win last time out, was a beaten cause at the final turn. Imtiaz Sait trained Almandine recorded a splendid win in the 1400 metres Basque Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds. The run benefit seemed to have worked wonders for the daughter of Razeen who put daylight between herself and the rest in the final furlong. Woman In Charge who was the firm favourite, flopped miserably and she is surely overrated. Faustino justified the favoritism in the 1400 metres R M Puttanna Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 70, with a start to finish dash. Talk of the Devil once again found one better and his late flourish only ensured him a second spot ahead of Distributor. Magical Spirit, who showed great improvement, both in her gate manners as well as her sharpness, won the lower division in similar fashion. Bezan Chenoy trained Elmwood managed to survive by the skin of his teeth to win the 1100 metres Sir Bruce Plate. Acceptance, despite essaying a sharp trip, put in a game effort but failed to collar the front-runner narrowly. The day’s opener had gone the way of favourite Alinski who had the measure of the opposition quite capably. Ariba brought off a quiet touch, lucky to land the spoils due to poor effort on the part of jockey Harsha who allowed Glitter As Gold to the edge of the grass track and lost in a photo-finish. Favourite Okinawa was a close third.