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TRANCE WINS BK RATTONSEY MEMORIAL MULTI-MILLION

By mahendra mallya | 03 Feb 2013 | MUMBAI


Mr Shapoor P Mistry leading Trance (J Fortune Up), winner of The B.K. Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million

The Derby day is all about special performances and there were a few on record. Among the major races on the D day was the BK Rattonsey Maidens Multi-Million which had 11 juveniles seeking their first career victories.

Trance (Phoenix Tower – Gobelin) who had run a good second on debut, was the favourite to go one better. Debutante Presidential had caught the eye on his morning work and was in the betting. Little Love, who was to make a debut in mid- December but was withdrawn hours before the race on veterinary grounds looked all set to make it this time. Indian Touch too was one in the reckoning.

As they jumped out, lesser fancied Bombardier set the tone with Stiletto and Silver Streak in tow. The rest were not too far from the front. Silver Streak and Stiletto shot ahead soon on turning for home, with Little Love and Trance just getting into the groom behind the pair. Presidential took the turn wide as did Indian touch.

Silver Streak was gaining on Stiletto when Little Love and Trance came up to challenge. The field had spread across the turf and Presidential too was seen galloping along strongly. Indian Touch too threw in the hat with a late bid. Less than 100 to go, the heat was at boiling point with five runners in a line to Trance shifted out and Presidential who was about to make his presence felt, faced the brunt. Grant managed to stay out of the way and finished a good third. Trance put in a forceful last ditch thrust to pick the race right under the nose of Little Love, who went down on the wire. Indian touch grabbed a slot in the frame at the expense of Silver Streak. The one to watch out for is Presidential.

Bullseye (Kheleyf – La Cienega) with Zervan atop let a bunch of front-runners set the stage for her to come late on to the scene and bask in the spotlight at the business end. National Glory and Emerging Star galloped out in front, with Hawk of the Wind and Borderline in close attendance.  Bullseye was a few paces behind but travelling at a very ease pace.  Even though Borderline and Hawk of the Wind started their charge forward, Zervan was not in any hurry. He didn’t move a muscle but must have indicated vocally to Bullseye to increase speed. The Shroff trainee spurted ahead in a trice, Zervan just helping her into a rhythm. Bullseye strode out majestically to leave the rest stranded. She was still not firing on all cylinders when she took charge and cantered to a record breaking victory. Bullseye clocked 57.78 to create a new course record for the five-furlong scurry.

Zervan struck immediately again in the very next race with Winston (Glory of Dancer – Social Place) to score his fifth winner on the Derby weekend. This time he took the initiative right from the start and this was a brave ploy considering it was a mile race. Winston settled beautifully under Zervan and the two set off on a decent pace. The field behind them was closely huddled with Sun Salutation and Soneeyo following close behind. Papakura and the others were all hunting in a pack.

Winston moved further away, Zervan’s elbows were still steady and they gradually increased the lead over Sun Salutation and Soneeyo. Soon Papakura wove his way through horses and joined Sun Salutation. A furlong more to go and Zervan started to ride out now as he sensed Papakura was getting too close for comfort. Papakura tried hard to get the measure of Winston, but Zervan could do no wrong on the day and he easily warded off the late challenger. Sun Salutation did well to end third.

The RN Kanga Gold Trophy was another interesting race traditionally run on the Derby day. Smashing was the biggest disappointment as she failed to jump out of the gates. Silver Birch took up the running with Okavango and Rajasthan Royals chasing him. Yuville was the link between the front runners and those at the rear. Star of Gibraltar was next and at the rear were Cardinal and Ranthambhore.

Yuville darted ahead in a hurry as they turned for home and went off at a good clip. She soon took charge and was looking good to last it out. Star of Gibraltar and Ranthambhore came with strong final efforts. Star of Gibraltar had picked up good speed and just managed to pip Yuville on last stride, with  Ranthambhore ending a short-head behind Yuville.

Falcon (Razeen – Tarnished Lady) won the Four Seasons Trophy and was well ridden to victory by Daniel Grant. Settling in fourth behind Mars, Mahaakaushal and Noble Reward, Falcon kept improving position from the 800 meter mark. Circle of Life was close to the rear and galloping four off the fence. On turning for home, Mars kept at it even as Mahaakaushal shot the bolt. Falcon started to gallop closer to Mars. Circle of Life was coming alive with a decent effort. Inside the final furlong, Falcon quickened well and started to speed away. Circle of Life was also picking up speed. In the final surge, Falcon finished on the best and stayed comfortably ahead to win sparing a length and half to Circle of Life.

The day started off with C.D.Katrak trained 4 year old filly, Hawaiian Princess (Ontario-Hawafiz) shedding off her maiden status in taking style in the lower division of the Royal Challenge ‘Game For Life’ Cup. After taking a good jump from the inner most draw, Hawaiian Princess settled well in mid field. Approaching the last 400 meters, jockey Martin Dwyer started to get busy on the ‘Princess’ and the filly responded with a brilliant turn of foot to surge forward and extend by almost five lengths. Suntan Beauty rallied late to get to the runner-up berth, beating Zanthos.

Bangalore based jockey B.Sreekanth rode a peach of a race on Karthik Ganapathy trained Sophisticated (Oath-Mayfair), to give the silks of Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy a win on the big day. Eleven horses took off the gates in the McDowell’s No 1 Platinum Trophy, run over 2400 meters. Bonobo moved around on the wide outside as they took the first turn immediately after the start, to get to the lead. Monet was quickly into second and Sophisticated tucked in nicely in third along the fence. Monet rushed to the front as heads turned for home and Sophisticated joined alongside soon.

Richard Hughes was in full flow on Monet with Sreekanth giving his best on Sophisticated. The two went stride for stride in the last 300 meters and the latter heaved forward to earn its maiden win. Antonius Maximus was the fastest moving towards the closing stages but could only peg back Monet on the last stride, for the runner-up berth.

The curtains came down on the Derby day with H.J.Antia trained Stormyday (Sussex-Fame Star) earning a pillar to post victory in the higher division of the Royal Challenge ‘Game For Life’ Cup.  Cerro Negro came flying in the last 150 metres but failed to get to Stormyday by a neck. The favourite Ice Age managed to finish third, ahead of Arabian Glory in a tight finish.

For the professionals, Pesi Shroff was the lone trainer to saddle a double. Jockeys J Fortune and S Zervan scored a double each.