Dhariwal trained Connemara displayed great maturity while winning The Governor’s Trophy at the Bangalore races on Saturday. The grey filly raced like a seasoned campaigner over a metric mile, and dug deep into her reserves of stamina while overtaking a helpless Supreme Dominator near the winning post. Since the day’s feature was a terms event for first season horses, in which winners and maidens were separated by the usual sex allowance of one and a half kilos, there were a number of contenders who had a realistic chance of winning it. The fact that each one of them was tackling a mile for the first time in their careers, made it even more interesting. A majority of the runners in this nine horse field had won an earlier start. A closer look at their performances showed that Medinah and Connemara were marginally better than the others. Medinah had displayed a sparkling turn-of-foot in late December, when he had come from the back and trounced a bunch of maidens. Apart from the fact that he had won by a widening margin that day, he had also clocked a very smart timing. Since the son of Razeen was bred to “stay”, there were many who were happy to back him with confidence. Connemara, Supreme Dominator and Rulers Secret had ended close besides each other in an earlier clash. The last named had led from the start in a sprint, and despite slowing down in the straight, had just about managed to scamper home in that race. Connemara had subsequently beaten Supreme Dominator over a seven furlong race, and since she had accelerated from the back, the Dhariwal camp was extremely optimistic about her chances. As far as Rulers Secret was concerned, there were strong doubts about his limitations of stamina. However, the morning track trials indicated his present form and fitness, and this helped him garner some support in the betting rings. The ever increasing odds against the favourite Medinah confirmed that this was going to be a closely fought affair.

After a level jump from the gates, the big made Medinah went to the front. Wanting to set his own pace, he led from Major Attraction, Supreme Dominator and Connemara. While most of the others were close behind the leaders, Rulers Secret was finding it tough to move forward. The order remained more or less the same till they turned for home. Medinah continued to dominate the proceedings and was still ahead of Supreme Dominator and Connemara. It was hereabouts that things got a bit more serious. Imran Chisty pulled out his stick on Medinah and asked him to quicken. Unable to get any further response from the favourite, he tamely surrendered the lead to Supreme Dominator. This mount of Suraj Narredu went ahead in the straight and roused hopes of bagging this trophy. But these were dashed by a late finishing Connemra. Under the able guidance of David Allan, the grey came with a strong challenge down the centre of the track and went on to nail Supreme Dominator before reaching the finishing line. Medinah ended a tame third, while Apollo Star and Rulers Secret were locked together for the final spot on the result boards. This was the third time that Supreme Dominator had got beaten in a close finish. In this sort of form, it may not take him long to score an overdue victory.

The rest of the day’s card was headed by a sprint for older horses in class II.  The upper division witnessed the closest finish of the season. Three horses ended besides each other, while another two were breathing right down their throats. Less than a length covered the first five at the finish. With Kiran Rai in the saddle, Neil Darashah’s Mr Carpe utilized his early speed and sped away from the others.  Smooth Glider, Icelander and Nickel Chrome raced in close order, as the runners entered the straight. With Mr Carpe drifting to the centre of the track, a huge gap appeared towards the inside rails. Nickel Chrome grabbed this space and enjoyed a slender advantage into the final furlong. Smooth Glider joined her in front and there was nothing between the two of them thereafter. They matched strides for rest of the way. While the crowds were getting involved in the excitement, another horse joined the fray. Mr Carpe made a final surge on the very wide outside, and was involved in a three way finish. The judge took a very long time to declare the winner. The photo-finish cameras confirmed that Mr Carpe had won on the last stride from Nickel Chrome, Smooth Glider and Icelander.

The lower version was annexed by a vastly improved Frenemee. It happened to be the third win for the five year old this season. In what must surely be some sort of record, Frenemee was running for the twelfth time this winter. Doing that within a span of less than four months, could be taxing on the horse. However, trainer Narayan Gowda needs to be complimented for keeping him going. It must be mentioned that he did not win out of turn, as there was a fair amount of support for Frenemee with the bookmakers. With the two market fancies Alcazaar and Amazing Redd getting straight down to business, apprentice Kiran Rai was content to wait with Frenemee. He kept him on the rails and saved ground throughout the race. After Alcazaar overtook Amazing Redd and set sail for home, Frenemee appeared on the scene. For a moment it seemed as though Alcazaar would succeed in winning this race. But once Kiran Rai straightened Frenemee’s neck, the race was over. He devoured ground in the final furlong and won much easier than the official verdict announced by the judge. Smithsonite made a late bid and succeeded in beating Amazing Redd into fourth place. For the young Kiran Rai, this was a great occasion as he had completed a coveted double.

Narayan Gowda was the next one to do so. Exactly an hour later, he saddled his second winner of the afternoon. Athletic Star had taken down a lot of money in an earlier start, when he had failed to quicken at a very crucial juncture and was beaten into fourth place. Meeting a weaker set of Class III runners today, he was backed to recoup those losses. To the delight of his fans, he did that in great style. After taking a slightly sluggish start, Athletic Star found his rhythm. Moving steadily from behind, he began to improve positions all the way. He joined Lads Ability, Mountain High and Sweet Secret at the final bend. Not wanting to take any chances, Gnaneshwar produced him on the wide outside. The horse saw “daylight” and surged forward. Within the next few seconds, he went more than four lengths ahead of his opponents. Riding him hands-n-heels thereafter, the jockey nursed him safely across the finishing line. Mountain High, who took the runner-up berth, ended marginally ahead of Lads Ability and Hillstone.

The lower division of the above race was the day’s opener. In the absence of a clear favourite, there was sudden support for Volt. The only thing that seemed to favour him today was his low handicap. Those who backed him somehow failed to realize that he was meeting a higher set of rivals. Last outing winner Living Legend was appearing after a nice rest, and there was a big switch in the saddle. With Suraj replacing Afsar, this Faraz Arshad trainee  was attempting to win another race in the same category. Suraj kept out of trouble by taking him to the front and led at a steady pace till the bend. In a mild skirmish at the back, Bold Nature, Volt and Simpleton interfered with each other. This obviously helped Living Legend’s cause, as he skipped clear in the straight. By the time the others got close to him, he was already across the finishing line. There were a couple of objections that were lodged by the rider of Simpleton against those of Bold Nature and Volt, but both were over-ruled in quick time by the Stewards.

The easiest winner on Saturday afternoon was surely Ancient Title. This Prithviraj trainee was backed with utmost confidence in a class IV handicap by his connections, and the odds against him shortened from 3/1 to 90/100 in a very short span of time. Those who had watched his movements on the outer sand felt that he would be difficult to beat in this race. TS Jodha took a smart jump astride the favourite, but was content to settle him in third place behind Santa Ana and Smile Stone till they reached the final bend.  It was hereabouts that he made his move. Coming between the two front-runners, he pressed the accelerator. Ancient Title responded immediately and stormed ahead of the rest. His lengthening strides enabled him to post an extremely comfortable victory. With nothing improving from behind, both Santa Ana and Smile Stone managed to retain their minor placings.

The day ended with an interesting sprint for class IV horses that had run at least twice this season and were yet to win a race. Additionally, the runners had to be ridden by jockeys who too had failed to win this winter. To make it tougher, the boys were not allowed to carry a whip. Ten horses agreed to face the starter. With the withdrawal of Raaga, nine of them took off from the starting gates.  The field was tightly grouped till the bend. Blackbird, Jaanvi , Spanish Move and Tiger Eyes were prominent till the bend. It was hereabouts that the race became a two horse affair. Under some hard pushing from HG Rathod, Sharat Kumar’s Tiger Eyes slipped through the inner rails. The four year old enjoyed a two length lead over Spanish Moon, as the pair entered the final furlong. With Tiger Eyes beginning to slow down, and Spanish Moon refusing to give up, the stage was set for a real thriller. The winning post came to the rescue of Tiger Eyes, who managed to win by the shortest of margins from an unlucky Spanish Moon. With a stronger jockey in the saddle, Spanish Moon looks like a ready made winner in her next start.