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DOC HOLLIDAY WINS FK VAKIL TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 26 Feb 2014 | MUMBAI


Trainer Rehanullah Khan leading Doc Holliday (A Sandesh Up), winner of The F.K. Vakil Trophy

Wednesday’s races stung the followers of favourites as only three obliged in the eight-race card, of which two were at non-backable odds. Amazing Grace was at ‘money-back’ and Greek God at 10 to 4 on, would have attracted very few takers. The other favourite Song of Africa (evens at best) managed to win by the proverbial skin of the teeth. The ones to create a flutter were Tachyon and 20/1 and Silsila at 10/1 which floored most of the punters.

Doc Holliday (Senure – Auto Cop) was strongly ridden by jockey A Sandesh who is firmly in command for the jockeys’ championship title, well ahead of Zervan and company. He was out quickly off the gates and settled in the third spot behind joint leaders Sound of River and Shaughnessy. Favourite Phelps was too keen while on his way to the starting gates and the jockey had to make an effort in holding him all the way to the gates.

Sound of River surged ahead coming into the straight and soon Sandesh began to ride Doc Holliday aggressively. This pair was a couple of lengths ahead of Phelps trying to make his bid from the outside. Samba Warrior was on the rails but taking his time to get into ‘war-mode.’ Doc Holliday seized the lead and raced ahead of Sound of River in the final furlong. Sound of River had given in to Doc Holliday and as they were heading for the winning post, Samba Warrior got into top gear and made a late splash, galloping strongly in the last 100 meters. But his effort was far too late as Doc Holliday nosed the wire thwarting the serious bid from Samba Warrior. Sound of River did well to finish a close third. Samba Warrior was the pick of the lot and should be able to score in his next outing.

Greek God (Chevalier – Pas De l’Argent) completely outpaced and outclasses his five rivals to clinch the Bright Hanovar Trophy with ridiculous ease. He hit the front soon on start and sped away from them all winning comprehensively on a tight rein. All jockey Sandesh had to do was guide the Dallas Todywalla trainee and Greek God left the others cold once in the straight. Zumi Zumi, who was tagging along the winner during the early half of the race, simply could not keep pace and fell back soon on turning for home. Captain Abdon made some progress in the straight to end a far away second ahead of Awesome Knight.

Amazing Grace (Hurricane Run – Efrhina) was another one who cruised to victory without encountering any challenge from her three rivals. Stable mate Belvedere led the four-horse field with Cactus Cash close behind. Amazing Grace was in no hurry as Trevor kept him well behind the front runners and Cyclops held the fourth spot for most of the journey.

Belvedere led them into the straight and soon Amazing Grace came at him with a fluent gallop. Trevor surged ahead early in the homestretch and Amazing Grace soon sped away from the rest with awesome ease. This was an armchair ride for Trevor and they romped home by an impressive margin. Belvedere had to fight back to take the runner-up spot from Cyclops who had once headed him in the final few strides. Cactus Cash did precious little and ended last of four.

The Jodhas had a lucrative day with Adhirajsingh Saddling Royal Passion to his maiden victory and his father Magan Singh striking twice with Song of Africa and Silsila.

Royal Passion (Sedgefield – Wonder Wings) who had run a good second to Zurich in her last start got one better with the benefit of that run. She was taking on two fancied colts Legend of the Seas and Daishonin for the Icebreaker Trophy. She looked the part in the paddock and on the track she literally pulled off an easy start-to-finish victory.

Setting off at a brisk pace Royal Passion went smoothly into the lead with Daishonin, Legend of the Seas and Grenadine following in a single file. This order stood good all the way into the straight and also in the final standing. Royal Passion galloped on in the straight and never let her guard down at any stage. Jockey Kavraj Singh confidently powered the filly to her first win in style. Daishonin fought out with Legend of the Seas to determine only the runner-up berth. Grenadine’s was the case on an also ran.

Trainer Magan Singh Jodha led in two winners, his first being Song of Africa (Sussex – Arabian Shuffle) who looked well on his way to victory until Tap Dance in a sudden rush put a terrifying scare on the wire. Going for it right from the start, Song of Africa led all the way into the straight. All seemed in control for the favourite as she led them into the final furlong and seemed to have had the measure of Africana who was her nearest rival. Africana did make a steady attempt at questioning Song of Africa but the favourite sped away nullifying his effort. Just when it seemed Song of Africa was in no danger, Tap Dance who was on the rails, switched on the outside, and made a serious dash to the post. Tap Dance accelerated powerfully and covered considerable ground to finish level with Song of Africa in a blinder of a finish. The winning post came to the rescue of Song of Africa and she prevailed by the shortest of margins.

Magan Singh Jodha walked the aisle again in the last race with Silsila (Sedgefield – Divine Honey). Ironically, this time his ward came from behind and successfully toppled the front-running favourite in the last couple of strides.

Fabrizio was the prime fancy and he jumped out quickly to share the lead along with Blind Date and Pretty In Patpong. Silsila too was well in touch with the leaders. Fabrizio shot ahead on straightening up and Blind Date was giving chase. Silsila was on the inner rails right behind Fabrizio. Mr Morrison started to make his presence felt in the final furlong and Windsor Queen too was improving positions.

Fabrizio was in command until the last fifty meters which is when Silsila made a fiery dash and got the favourite a stride away from the winning post. Mr Morrison too came to the fore and ended alongside Fabrizio in a dead-heat for the second place. Windsor Queen did well to figure in the frame.

Tachyon (Ontario – Artic Whisper) produced his best in a long time to shock the field that had several speedy customers including favourite Quick Fire. Albuurz and Celsius were in command as they turned for home with Quick Fire and Song of Sparrow close behind this pair. Tachyon, Strategy and Capitano were racing together not far behind.

Celsius had barely taken over from Albuurz when Tachyon came at him at a brisk rate through the gap between horses. Jockey Vikram Walker had set Tachyon on fire and the MK Jadhav ward surged ahead to score an impressive win. Capitano and Strategy too finished on at a good clip to finish ahead of Celsius in the final standing. 

Osric (Sedgefield – Oprah) finally entered the winners’ circle and brought about his first win in a start to finish essay. He entered the straight with a slender lead with Zoltan in second. Plated moved ahead of Zoltan and tried to challenge Osric, but jockey Trevor still had a lot of horse under him and he rode out Osric who stayed clearly ahead and win with a measure of comfort. Plated did well to beat the rest.  Zoltan held on narrowly to the third spot warding off Argyle Pink by a short-head.

For the professionals, trainer Magan Singh Jodha was the lone trainer to saddle a double. Jockeys Sandesh, Trevor and Kavraj singh all scored a double each.