The DP Sharma Memorial Sprinter’s Trial Stakes, a terms event for top class horses four years old and over, featured an ordinary looking card of eight races on Friday at Bangalore. This race is traditionally conducted to select the nominees for The Sprinters Cup, that is held during the Invitation Week-end every year. Padmanabhan trained Speed Six did really well by running true to form today, and earning the distinction of being the top sprinter at Bangalore. On a day when most of the races were won by first favourites, Speed Six was another one that justified the confidence of the betting public. With his surprise victory over a strongly fancied Shivalik Star in an identical event in early December, Speed Six had shown that he was perhaps in the best form of his career. To beat Shivalik Star, who had just returned from Mysore after some record-breaking performances, was truly special. What was even more special was the manner in which he had done it. Speed Six had come storming from behind and sailed away for an easy victory. Even though the three length margin between the two of them was fairly large, it did not really describe the authenticity with which Speed Six had won that day. Since Shivalik Star had bled in that race, there were many who wanted to give him another chance. They felt that their choice would give a good fight to Speed Six in the day’s feature. Interestingly, both of them were clashing at level weights once again. The other four acceptors in this race had modest form, and it was difficult to visualize any of them winning this event. Accordingly, both Speed Six and Shivalik Star received strong support in the betting rings and started as joint favourites to lift this coveted trophy. 

The speedy Shivalik Star got straight down to business and led at a steady pace from Speed Six and Jersey Shore. The other three runners were right behind them, as they made their way towards the final bend. The two market leaders were close to each other as they entered the straight. For those who had backed Speed Six, it was a pleasure to see Beuzelin’s posture in his saddle. While Shivalik Star was being whipped by John to stay in the lead, Speed Six was literally cruising at that stage. It was apparent that his jockey was yet to make a move. Beuzelin changed gears thereafter and asked Speed Six for an effort. The response he got from his mount was pleasing. Speed Six took over the running and went on to score an authentic victory. Esteban covered a lot of ground from behind to take the runner-up berth near the winning post. An exhausted Shivalik Star just about managed to retain the third spot ahead of a late rushing Chul Bul Pandy. In this sort of form, Speed Six should be considered as a top contender for the first prize in the Sprinters Cup, that is scheduled to be held on the first of March at Hyderabad. 

Another runner that impressed while scoring on Friday was Byramji’s Triumph. This horse had left a fine impression while registering his maiden victory earlier in the season. He had got stronger in the straight that day to win by a widening margin over a trip of 1200 metres. Even though the handicapper had given him a severe penalty of 23 points, a majority of those present at the race course were happy to stay with Triumph. They felt that he would be more effective over an extra furlong. A mere look at him in the paddock was enough to realize that he was spot-on for this event. Once second favourite Cullinan got withdrawn at the gates, there was further support for Triumph with the bookmakers. Imran Chisty eased him into third place behind Champakali and Kafka, and was content to move besides them till the final bend. After getting him on an even keel in the straight, he produced Triumph towards the centre of the track and asked him to “go”. The well built horse quickened like a seasoned campaigner and skipped clear of his rivals. He went on to register a popular victory ahead of Kafka and a hard ridden Cinch. The winner is a nice type that can be expected to win further laurels for the Byramji stable. 

A rare mile and a quarter handicap for those rated 20-45 had a strong contender in Arjun Mangalorkar’s Viktor. This colt had done well in a seven furlong race last month, when he had come charging from the back to finish close behind Frankness. Once Frankness succeeded in carrying her winning penalty to another easy victory during the Derby Week-end, Viktor’s chances to win today’s race got enhanced. The confidence of the yard was reflected in the fact that they had declared John astride their ward. Even though they realized that he would be carrying an over-weight, they were not bothered. The only question in everybody’s mind pertained to the extra yardage that these horses were trying to tackle. Once bottom weighted Czar Rule decided to set the pace, Viktor was quick to move into second place. Amazonas and Peter Parker raced right behind them, while the others were strung out in single file as the eleven of them tackled the rising ground near the three furlong marker. It was hereabouts that Czar Rule tried to steal the race. With TS Jodha making free use of his whip, Czar Rule maintained his advantage into the final furlong. But John was alert to his task. He gathered Viktor and asked him for his final effort. The brave colt came alongside Czar Rule and beat him comfortably near the winning post. A hard ridden Peter Parker managed to save place money for his backers. 

The only outsider to score in the eight event card on Friday was Faraz Arshad’s Living Legend. Once public choice Starstruck dropped John on the race track and ran riderless across the course, he was declared a non-starter. Second-in-demand Lads Gladiator was immediately installed as an odds-on favourite ahead of Whistlejacket. With Hackett and Truman setting a good early pace, the two market fancies were seen struggling at the back. The one that was moving smoothly on the wide outside was Living Legend. With Afsar astride, Living Legend covered a lot of ground and skipped past the leaders. He managed to open-up a two length advantage into the final furlong and strode freely towards the finishing line. Whistlejacket made a late bid to get close to him, but was marginally shy at the wire. Lads Gladiator could do no better than plod into third place. For rookie Afsar, this win was achieved after a fairly long interval. 

A class IV sprint attracted a large number of acceptors. The top division of this race, reserved for horses five years old and over, had a strong favourite in Fioritta. She had cut an erratic course in a recent start and taken down a lot of public money along with her. Those who were hoping for a much better performance from her today, were disappointed to learn that Fioritta had been withdrawn on veterinary grounds. This allowed Amit Caddy’s Hatchet Harry and the Dominic trained Right On Time to corner most of the betting. With top riders Suraj Narredu and PS Chouhan astride, the two of them were expected to finish ahead of the others. Once Hatchet Harry took a smart jump from an extremely wide draw and settled comfortably behind Super Saloni and Anfield, his backers realized that he had a great chance of winning this race. Hatchet Harry traveled on tight reins till well into the straight. With about 300 metres still to go, Suraj asked him to quicken. The bay put his head down and galloped strongly towards the final post. One look at his movements was enough to confirm that he had this race in his bag. Right On Time arrived late on the scene to beat early leader Super Saloni into third place. 

Last outing winner Vistabella carried her penalty to a hard fought victory amongst those placed in the second division of this sprint. While Vistabella had won in the same category, her main opponents like Affrikah and Burden Of Lady were making an effort to tackle tougher opposition. The Irfan Ghatala trainee tracked a runaway Burden Of Lady till the bend, and with John urging her relentlessly, the five year tried her best to get close to the leader. At one stage in the straight it seemed as though Burden Of Lady would be tough to catch, but the scene changed suddenly near the distance post. A tired Burden Of Lady came to a crawl, and this allowed Vistabella to move ahead of her. With John punching away to glory, Vistabella managed to maintain her momentum and finish ahead of a late rushing pair of Affrikah and Inspirator. The two placed horses were alongside each other at the final post. 

A seven furlong handicap for those in the lowest category was split into two parts.  A got-abroad four year old named Fancy Number had done well to finish a close fifth in an upper class in his previous start. Running on demotion today, the Tharun Thimmaiah ward was being partnered by Arshad Alam in this race. After receiving all round support, the bandaged runner charged to the front. He set a scorching pace and led by more than five lengths over Silhouette and Oriental King. With the leader refusing to slow down, both Silhouette and Oriental King came under pressure. They ultimately came to a trot in the final furlong and allowed Liquid Asset, Attractor and Attitude Xtreme to finish ahead of them. While Fancy Number won with a measure of comfort, runner-up Liquid Asset was seen doing some good work in the closing stages of this race. This is one colt that should be given another chance to win the first of his career. 

The lower division happened to be the first race of the day. In what could said to be a rare co-incidence, it was the third day running that PS Chouhan was able to win the opening race of the afternoon. After Pentagram and Prazsky last week-end, it was Pradeep Annaiah’s Byronic that was successfully steered by him on Friday. Byronic had run on a number of occasions last year, and was still a maiden. The chestnut had progressively come down to an extremely low rating of 12. Some good track-work in recent weeks coupled with a positive switch in the saddle, were the two factors that saw him figuring at the top of the betting charts. Since he was facing fairly modest opponents, the odds against him shrunk to 11/10 at race time. Chouhan pushed Byronic into an early advantage and led by a couple of lengths from Mister Grey and Mystic Lavenders till the final bend. With those around him getting tired, Byronic stole a march into the straight. Even though he came under pressure thereafter, his longish lead enabled him to last out till the very end. Extra Spark finished purposefully to end a fair second ahead of a tired Mister Grey and Oriental Belle. A major credit for Byronic’s victory must go to his jockey, as the horse won because of the positive tactics adopted by this top class rider.