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MYKONOS WINS SERUM INSTITUTE TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 23 Feb 2014 | MUMBAI


Mr K H Vachha leading Mykonos (A Sandesh Up), winner of The Serum Institute Of India Trophy

Prime Fancy Mykonos (Noverre – Land Ahead) finally came good to score a fashionable victory to clinch the Serum Institute of India Trophy to score her first win on the Mumbai track. The winner of two back-to-back races in Pune had shed her winning habit for some time now and had only placed in her last three runs. She however, came into her own to reel off a start to finish victory, outpacing her nearest rival Emperor of France and the others in a most convincing manner.

Cooji Katrak trained Mykonos got straight down to business soon on start and galloped at a good clip. Pitbull tried to match strides but failed to keep up once they turned for home. Catharsis tried to make his bid from the inner rails but he too could not make much progress. Emperor of Romance the close second favourite just could not measure up and Mykonos sped away from them all posting a facile victory, jockey Sandesh not having to do much at any stage. Rio, who was last at the turn, finished on fastest and although he could not get any closer to the winner, Rio did well to pip Emperor of France for the runner-up berth. Mykonos was simply too good and clocked a brilliant 0:57:96 for the scurry, which was close to the course record of 0:57:70 which Way Out established in December this season.

Silver Streak (Verglas – Optimal) notched his fifth career victory, his second this season as he literally coasted to win the Rusi Patel Trophy. Setting off at a fast pace, Silver Streak shook off Set To Fly who tagged along until the turn. Once into the straight, Silver Streak kicked on as Winston moved to second. Neath was over on the outside but not finding anything. Manyatta improved between horses, but by then, Silver Streak had stretched out beautifully to leave the rest far behind. Silver Streak thundered home to beat top class opponents to register an easy victory.

Shivalik Breeze (Rebuttal – Phoenix) won the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy shedding her maiden status in her third attempt. She was right alongside favourite Mine Forever until the turn and then sped ahead soon on turning for home. Shivalik Breeze gathered momentum and sailed away galloping at an alarming rate as Athnes and Mine Forever just couldn’t keep pace with her. Angeling ran on to pip Something Special for the second slot, while Mine Forever ended a close fourth. Angeling was the one to progress well towards the finish and did well to end second. Mine Forever started off well, but could not capitalize on the good start. She may need another run to sharpen up.

Mufasa (Glory of Dancer – City Tamer) came good over the 2400m Intervalve(India) Ltd Trophy and won handsomely at nourishing odds. Jockey P Trevor rode a patient race setting far back down the field with only Yodha Shakti and Arzaan behind him. Hot Pepper set a decent pace and led the field by a good margin before fading out well before the final turn.

Favourite Gran Turismo, who was trudging along in fourth position all the while, started to improve early in the straight and wore down Danse Dabonaire and Romantic Beauty approaching the distance post. Gran Turismo grabbed the lead with a furlong to go, but soon Mufasa warmed up to produce a powerful finish. Dixie Delight too improved positions, but Mufasa was simply too good and had compiled a winning lead in the last 100 meters. Dixie Delight could only manage to peg back Gran Turismo while Mufasa roared to victory in a comfortable manner.

Knight of Ke (Noverre – Sweet Affair) won the day’s opener without any difficulty. Jockey Zervan ensured a smooth jump and settled to chase leader Hawker who shot into the lead soon on settling down. Belmont, Highraz and Haunting Moments were up close and together.

Knight of Ke surged into the lead soon on turning for home and Hawker could only watch as Knight of Ke cruised past him to consolidate coming into the latter half of the homestretch. Knight of Ke marched on ahead and encountered no resistance from any one. Hawker let no one else pass him and did well to stay put in the second spot. Highraz disappointed a large following and ended listlessly outpaced clearly by Haunting Moments as well.     

Heatwave (Glory of Dancer – Shockwave) scorched the turf with a long stretch-run emerging from the rear to clinch the Satinello Trophy with surprising ease, particularly since he was at the rear end of the field along with favourite Isadoro when they turned for home. You’re The Boss led them into the straight but was soon passed by Song Sa who shaped well. Heatwave made steady progress and came into contention in the final furlong. Jockey SP Ranjane rode out Heatwave and in the final 100 meters collared Song Sa to score a well compiled victory, his third in a row this season. For Song Sa, this was third consecutive time that she found one better in her last three runs.

Rashun (Ajaad – Dancing Huntress) picked up his first winning bracket in an interesting finish in the last race of the big day. When Zaagros galloped on ahead in the homestretch, he looked good enough to create a flutter. He had shaken off Captain Smart off his back and Skywalk in third, didn’t look threatening at all. Rashun at this stage was in fourth but had to clear considerable ground. Tanusha came alongside Rashun and they started to narrow down the margin that Zaagros had built. Trainer Himmat Singh’s ward, Rashun, with TS Jodha astride, gathered the rocketing speed well inside the final furlong and Rashun arrived charging down with a lot of zing, leaving Tanusha behind. Rashun had picked up tremendous acceleration in the final fifty and just managed to strike the wire at the precise moment.

For the professionals, trainers Dallas Todywalla and CD katrak saddled a double each, while jockeys A Sandesh and P Trevor scored a brace each as well.