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MACHIAVELLIANISM SCORES AN EXPECTED VICTORY

By Pearcey | 19 May 2013 | BANGALORE


Trainer L V R Deshmukh leading Machiavellianism (YS Srinath Up), winner of The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup (Gr.3)

The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup (Grade III), the first of the graded races of the Bangalore Summer Season 2013, was held on the local track on Sunday. This terms event over seven furlongs attracted some top class acceptors. Apart from the nine local horses, there was only one outstation participant. Deshmukh trained Machiavellianism had arrived from Hyderabad, and had chosen this event as his first target this season. His victories in the Colts Trial Stakes last year, both at Bangalore as well as at Malakpet, were crowned with a superb victory in the Indian 2000 Guineas at Mahalakshmi. All of them were scored over a mile. His ability to come with a blistering turn-of-foot in the straight was utilized to perfection in all these races. He was unlucky to burst a blood vessel in the Indian Derby. Even though today’s trip of seven furlongs was considered to be a bit short for him, he carried too much class in this race. Based on his recent exploits, Machiavellianism stood tall in this set. Despite his top weight, he was installed as a firm favourite ahead of local hopefuls Immense and Sovetskaya.

Apart from Immense, who missed the kick at the start, the other nine took off to a fluent start. Field Marshall, Indian Bolt , Quick Enough, Southern Bay and Sovetskaya headed the field and raced in close order till the bend. Srinath held back Machiavellianism in mid division and did not move till the runners skirted the wide false rails and entered the straight. The entire group moved off the inner rails and raced towards the centre of the track. While most of the runners were under pressure to keep going, it was Machiavellianism that was moving the best of the lot. He responded gallantly to his jockey’s urgings and settled the issue. Within a matter of seconds, he went to the front and scored decisively.  Sovetskaya, Southern Bay and Immense were locked together in second, third and fourth places. Immense made a valiant bid from the rear to finish within a couple of lengths of the winner. With a level start, the chestnut could have ended much closer. Machiavellianism is in great heart and he is likely to dominate all the graded races this season. Trainer Deshmukh has done well to keep him fit during his hectic campaign over the last one year.

Deshmukh’s dream run at Bangalore seems be continuing this year. After Magical Spell’s victory yesterday, he maintained his cent per cent record for this weekend. Apart from Machiavellianism, his other runner on Sunday was Shamrock Lady. She was opposing on-money favourite Arch Duchess in The Mount Everest Trophy. Being a short sprint over 1100 metres, it was felt that Arch Duchess would use her blistering early speed to run the others off their feet. She had won with a similar effort at Mumbai, but because that race had been declared null-n-void, she was entitled to participate once again in maiden company. On the other hand, one knew very little about Shamrock Lady. Since this was going to be her first ever run, one had to look in the betting rings to pick up a signal. Despite her wide draw, she received fair support to topple the favourite. Tograllu took a good jump with Shamrock Lady and decided to chase a runaway Arch Duchess till the bend. It was at this stage that he put her under pressure. Shamrock Lady quickened nicely and came alongside Arch Duchess. Zervan’s urgings astride the favourite had no bearing on the final result. Shamrock Lady zipped past the public choice to register a fine debut victory.

Neil Darashah enjoyed a glorious afternoon by saddling three winners on Sunday. All three of them were first favourites and each one of them scored comfortably. Three year old Nabisco had won his only start in winter, when he had emerged from the maiden ranks with a comfortable victory over six furlongs. Realizing his ability to accelerate from the back, Neil chose to run him over an extra furlong today. Despite carrying a back-breaking  62 kilos, this nice looking colt ran like a seasoned campaigner. Imran Chisty wasn’t perturbed by the early acceleration shown by stablemate Strengthandwonder and Scarlet O’hara. He allowed them to dictate pace till well into the straight and made his move on the wide outside. Nabisco devoured late ground to saunter clear of Scarlet O’hara and Strengthandwonder. The winner looks like a good type with a bright future.

Five year old The Guardian was rated very highly as a youngster. He developed a tendon and was out of racing for an extended period of time. A couple of runs in winter showed that he was fit to re-start his campaign. His close second to Little Lion in the middle of March was quite brilliant. Benefited by the re-rating process undertaken at this centre, The Guardian found himself in a lower category. The chestnut went to the front and never looked back. Srinath urged him a bit in the straight to ensure a healthy advantage near the distance post. Bebo and Tribal Queen tried to match strides with him till the bend, but were totally outclassed thereafter. This permitted Alpine Shine and Wonder Lash to take the minor placings on the result boards. If The Guardian manages to maintain his form and fitness, then he has it in him to win again this season.

Neil entrusted his own horse Velvetine to Trevor in a race earmarked for runners in the lowest category. This filly had placed in her last three runs in a higher group and was lucky to have got demoted to this set. She was so much superior to her opponents, that the bookmakers quoted unbackable odds on her. Even then, the brave ones amongst the punting fraternity backed her confidently. Her early position at the back of the field may have made them nervous, but her fluent strides in the straight were more than enough to zoom clear of Thunder and Starstruck. Those who had chosen to oppose her by supporting Sareeta, never got a run for their money. The Dominic trainee refused to come out of the gates and took no practical part in this race. Velvetine’s victory was the middle leg of a treble scored by Trevor on Sunday. The talented jockey shared the day’s honours with Neil Darashah.

Trevor’s other two winners were trained by Suleiman Attaolahi.  It started with a win astride Arziki in the day’s opener. The filly had run thrice amongst maidens in winter, and was now running for the first time in “open” company. Royal Salute and Arziki had crossed swords in their previous start, wherein, Royal Salute had won and Arziki had ended fifth. Considering the victory margin as also  the seven kilo difference today, the advantage worked marginally in favour of Arziki. Even though she was slightly better at the weights, Arziki was only a second favourite behind her conqueror Royal Salute. The latter had apparently done some brilliant work on the training track, and his camp was hugely optimistic about the colt’s chances. While Trevor made full use of the weight advantage by pushing Arziki to the front, Srinath chose to bide his time on Royal Salute and rode him for eventual acceleration. The pair skipped clear of the rest and fought a stirring duel in the straight. Arziki refused to cave-in under Royal Salute’s challenge and galloped away to post an authentic victory. Five year old Youre Gorgeous appeared late on the scene to finish an impressive third. The mare will be too good-to-miss the day she runs against horses in her own age group.

A seven furlong race for horses in class II saw last outing winner Cirque Du Soleil repeating in a higher category. In a large group of fifteen, that comprised horses like Raphire, Ratham and Athletic Star, Cirque Du Soleil proved to be too strong for all of them. Trevor took it easy in the back-stretch and allowed his mount to settle comfortably behind Brabus Speed, Saganaki and Athletic Star. He switched lanes in the straight and pulled his horse towards the outer strip of the track. A mere tap with the whip was all that was required for Cirque Du Soleil to move ahead near the furlong marker. Riding hands-n-heels thereafter, Trevor guided him safely across the winning post. Raphire rallied late to take the runner-up berth ahead of a strongly urged Ratham and a tired Saganaki.

The rest of the card included two divisions of The MN Prakash Trophy, which was  a sprint for horses four years old and over , in class III. While the upper version was closely contested, the lower division failed to generate excitement. On the basis of some smart track work, Dhariwal trained Samara Sun received late support to start as a clear favourite. A lethargic start saw this fancied runner trailing a tightly packed field, as the twelve of them turned for home. Flying Tricolour and Catamaran  were being chased by Mr Carpe and Wind Of Soul at that stage.  With Franco DaSilva trying to find his way through a wall of horses,  his mount Samara Sun was caught in “No Mans Land”. While Christopher ridden Catamaran moved ahead of the rest and charged towards the winning post, Samara Sun was still looking for room. Even though the leader got tired in the closing stages of this race, the Hidayat Khan trainee still managed to finish marginally ahead of Magnomical and Samara Sun. The last named was the fastest finishing horse at the finish, and those who had backed him must consider themselves truly unlucky. Samara Sun lost a race that he could have won with ease.

The lower division was the last race of the afternoon. Irfan Ghatala’s Icelander was the shortest priced runner on Sunday, and the poor quality of the opposition made his job very easy. Icelander’s close second behind Final Countdown in November was his only start in winter. The fact that Final Countdown had gone onto win a few more races after that day, enhanced the quality of the said performance. The 40/100 favourite led from the word “go” and was totally unconcerned about what was happening behind him. Ashhad Asbar looked back in the straight before easing him completely in the straight. The public choice scored comfortably from Salsa Touch and Next Move. In this sort of form, Icelander is sure to enhance Irfan’s tally this season.