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EASY WINS FOR ALAINDAIR AND STARRY EYES

By Mahendra Mallya | 17 Nov 2013 | MUMBAI


Dr Nevill R. Devlaliwalla, Mr Gaurav Sethi & trainer Altamash A Ahmed leading Alaindair (A Sandesh Up), winner of The Mathradas Goculdas Trophy

The excitement to the start of the new Mumbai Season was on expected lines as thousands arrived to watch the first day action. The followers of favourites could not ask for a better start as six firm favourites obliged their large number of followers, most of them at back-able odds, considering the lesser number of competition in the small fields. Starry Eyes for example breached the half-money mark in a three-horse field, while Alaindair, the other ‘certainty’ closing a shade under even money. Both cantered to victory as expected.

Champion jockey A Sandesh got off to a solid start, riding home four clear favourites to victory, three among them trained by master trainer Cooji Katrak. Their first score for the season came with the classy Starry Eyes (Multidimensional – Pricewise) scoring an impressive win to clinch the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy, thereby setting up the filly’s future campaign on  the right note.

Zoraavar set a rather friendly pace for the seven furlong race and as Scenic Warrior jumped to a tardy start, Starry Eyes found herself in second. They continued in that order until Scenic Warrior made a surge past the 600 meters to join Zoraavar in the front, at the home turn. Starry Eyes stuck to the rails all along, biding her time.

Zoraavar was finding it hard to stay in the lead as Scenic Warrior was looming large on the outside. Sandesh could not resist the passage along the rails as Zoraavar shifted outward and he quickened, perhaps a stride too early to gain the advantage of the rail run. Starry Eyes got the signal and she galloped fluently to surge ahead approaching the distance post. Both Scenic Warrior and Zoraavar could not match up to Starry Eyes and the Guineas hope from Katrak’s yard owned by Dr YK & Kamil Hamied in partnership with Mr Atul  Amersay, announced her form with a facile victory. The timing was slow, but then so was the initial pace. Starry Eyes caught the eye in the manner she scored such a clinical victory.   

The Kingfisher Bangalore Derby winner Alaindair (Multidimensional – God’s Grace) raised a graceful gallop and showed no sign of rustiness in his appearance on the race track after about 120 days. What was notable is that he reverted back to the seven-furlong trip, after winning the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby over 2000 meters and won flawlessly. He looked good all through and Sandesh astride Alandair, confident.

Winston led the field that was closely huddled right through until the homestretch. Winston led them into the straight with Silver Streak getting to work early on straightening up. Manyatta too was ridden out as Alaindair began to emerge from the rails to join Winston. Winston resisted commendably as Alaindair matched strides with him. Although Sandesh was not exactly getting the Altamash Ahmed trainee to fire on all cylinders, to Winston’s credit, he took slightly longer to shake off the leader. He did eventually, to stretch away nicely and score a convincing victory. While Winston was a gallant second, Silver Streak could have done better. She was sketchy under pressure and that flowing finish that she put in at Pune was missing.

The Sandesh-Katrak combination followed up Starry Eyes’ victory with another strike immediately after with Rosie Sunshine (Lawman – Fresh Bread). The 11/10 favourite who had scored two tear-away victories in Pune before just about managing to make the frame in the Coolmore Million over an extended seven furlong race, was back to her best over six-furlongs, which appears to be her pet distance.  

Port Blair was quickest out and led for a brief while until Catharsis and Mable went past him. Rosie Sunshine came next with Emerald Valley and Remember Me behind her. Catharsis was the first into the straight. Rosie Sunshine was keen to make her surge and Sandesh went along with the filly. They gathered brisk momentum and within strides they were well ahead of the bunch. Remember Me progressed to beat the rest, but found the winner too good. Rosie Sunshine clocked an impressive 1:10:00 implying that in her current form, she will add to her winning tally as the season unfolds. Remember Me is for the notebook. His style will suit this Mumbai track and he too looks likely to pick up a race or two soon.

The Nyayo Plate saw a line-up of a dozen runners with only Say When having faced the starter before. Katrak had a huge representation in this race with as many as seven from his stables on their first mission. Shivalik Storm among them, was installed the piping hot favourite.  The prerace whispers from the stables and the track reporters were so high on this debutante, that he opened the odds on favourite. Shivalik Storm obliged, but not without anxiety.

He was quick on the jump and matched early speed with Himalayan Dancer, tracking them was Himalayan Queen with Praelector and Double O Seven making up the front group. Coming into the straight, Himalayan Dancer had a two length lead but Shivalik Storm soon appeared with a serious challenge. Himalayan Queen too was making her presence felt. The final furlong saw a tough battle between the two stable-mates. Jockey Sandesh atop Shivalik Storm rode a lot aggressively and it was his riding that stood out who in comparison with that of S Shinde in the saddle atop Himalayan Queen. Shinde squandered a realistic opportunity of accounting for the favourite when he even headed Shivalik Storm and lost out to the stronger riding prowess of the champion jockey.

Sandesh was cheered on his way back through the aisle. Shivalik Storm will improve even further after the first experience and so will Himalayan Queen. It may pay to keep an eye on Shivalik Showers who was seen finishing on towards the end.

Beforememoryfades (Lawman – Gold Bar) prevailed over the more fancied Sheer Class to take home the Race of Hope Gold Cup in what was held as a two-horse race from the outset. Jockey Neeraj Rawal did just the right things and made the right moves all along to outpace Sheer Class. War Horse showed a lot of spark for a major part of the race, leading all the way well into the straight. Beforememoryfades moved to challenge the leader midway in the straight. He was galloping zestfully past the distance post and once in the lead, he looked the winner. Sheer Class was made to toil and Sandesh this time could not make any impact on the winner.  

Isadoro (Glory of Dancer – Flying Home) was another favourite to delight his backers. Sitting fifth at the turn, jockey TS Jodha switched Isadoro to the outside and made his move when My Freedom, Samay Balwan, Miracle of Mercy and Ancient Warrior were fighting each other. Ancient Warrior had traffic problems and had to be steered out of trouble. My Freedom fought on but had no answer to Isadoro when the favourite burst on to the scene with a sustained gallop. Isadoro bounded ahead despite failing to keep a straight course. He veered out awkwardly but had a good momentum going which saw him through with a measure of comfort.  Miracle of Mercy provided some fight, but was whipped to remain in contention. Isadoro was unstoppable and drew away in the final few strides from Miracle of Mercy. Calypso Queen ran on to take place money.

The opening race of the season proved auspicious for punters as Janis Jay (Razeen – Grand Passion) obliged a large following, but had to dig deep to smother a spirited challenge from Belmont. They raced in single file with Morals leading them into the straight with Janis jay, Belmont and Queen. Morals soon surrendered the lead to Janis Jay soon on entering the straight. Belmont started to warm up and made his challenge to join the favourite with a furlong to go. Queen failed to make any impact.

Belmont and Janis Jay were battling it out. Belmont was getting too close and at one point may have even headed Janis Jay. Janis Jay came up with that lil extra to wrest back the initiative and finish on strongly to clinch the race narrowly.

Sydney (Razeen – Pearls of Thought) brought off a well-fought victory as he improved from the fourth position he had settled in to get to the front to challenge Bella Figura, when the latter had just taken charge from leader Princess Love. Bella Figura was shaping well as she improved from second, but soon had Sydney snapping close behind. Sydney surged ahead inside the final furlong and looked safe. Favourite Ghanghorr appeared when all seemed over, yet closed in on the winner and should be given another chance.

For the professionals, Sandesh led the way scoring four victories, while trainer Cooji Katrak saddled a treble.