Indiarace.com - india's first & foremost horse racing portal

ALAINDAIR REACHES THE PINNACLE OF INDIAN RACING

By Mirror Image | 08 Mar 2014 | HYDERABAD


Dr Nevill R Devlaliwalla & trainer Altamash A Ahmed leading Alaindair (Y S Srinath Up), winner of The Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Gr.1)

Alaindair (Multidimentional-God’s Grace) won the 2014 edition of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup – Grade I in taking style at the Malakpet race track in Hyderabad on Saturday. The race originally scheduled for the first Sunday of March had to be put off after un-seasonal rains forced an abandonment of half the day’s card which included the Maj. P.K.Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup and the Suresh Mahindra Multi Million Trophy. Although the traditional fervour of the Invitational day was lacking, a card of eight races were successfully completed with no further interruption from weather Gods. The authorities played it safe by going through the card on the Monsoon track as racing on the winter track looked dicey with the penetrometer reading being close to 5 centimetres.

Alaindair and Murioi had the highest reputation among the sixteen ‘invitees’ after their Indian Derby exploits and the two were rightly sent in as the favourites to claim the biggest crown of the Indian racing calendar. Followers of Murioi had their faith in the clash of the titans that there shall be no excuses this time but the shocker came in the most bizarre manner when the illustrious son of Dubawi collapsed even before crossing the half-way mark. Murioi had to be euthanized and the debate if he could have turned the tables on Alaindair will continue to be alive.         

Unaware of what had transpired behind it was left for the hero of the Indian Derby to prove his worth. Isn’t She Special tried her ‘Indian Oaks’ strategy to steal the race with a start to finish attempt, closely followed by Starry Eyes. Alaindair was not far behind. As the race unfolded into the final straight Starry Eyes made the first running with 400 metres left from judge. Alaindair closed in on Starry Eyes with his trade mark acceleration and the monsoon track was no hindrance to the son of Multidimentional. Alaindair was well home and only Agostini, the Bangalore Derby winner turned out to be the only worthy challenger, finishing second. Tintinnabulation, the winner of last year’s Invitation Cup at Kolkata laboured on to be third while Starry Eyes filled the judge’s frame.

Jockey Y.S.Srinath rode a copy book race on Alaindair and it was a typical replay of the Indian Derby running. “It’s a pleasure riding a horse like this and I would like to thank the connections for putting me on him” said Srinath after the race.

The trainer Altamash A Ahmed deserves accolades in sending out his ward in ship-shape condition and the connections could not have asked for anything better than winning the pinnacle of the Indian racing calendar.

Multidimensional, who is making waves in the Indian classic circuits sent another of his progeny, Amelia (Multidimensional-Adamile) to lift the Grade I Maj.P.K.Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup. Amelia paid tribute to Maj.P.K.Mehra when the filly sported the colours of his daughter Miss Ameeta Mehra while proving to be the best ‘miler’ of the country. Ameeta jointly owns the homebred filly with Mr.Berjis Minoo Desai, Mr.Rakesh R. Jhunjhunwala and Mr. Mehernosh H. Deboo.

Mariinsky and Amelia both trained by Pesi Shroff were the top contenders among the dozen hopefuls for the ‘Super Miler’ of the country. S.Padmanabhan’s Equine Lover  led the field in her customary front running style and brought them all well into the home stretch. The first challenge came from the local hope Machiavellianism.  Amelia looked to be in box seat from the stands but only the young Zervan was aware of the fact that his saddle had shifted forward. He could not even dare to pull out his whip to remind the filly of her task as he would be inviting more trouble. Zervan kept his cool without showing any signs of panic and managed to keep the filly going straight. Amelia went through her task in an exceptional manner and it was mission accomplished long way from home. Another Multidimensional progeny, Striking, came flashing in a threatening fashion only to end up third behind Equine Lover by the shortest of margins. Machiavellianism completed the frame. The much expected Mariinsky disappointed her followers in both the Sprinters’ and the Super Mile.  

A weeklong rest to Speed Six (Burden of Proof-Six Speed) after his gallant effort in the Sprinters’ last Saturday, where he finished third in a nail biting finish, seems to have done good as he rose to the occasion to register a splendid victory over the seven furlongs trip in the  Suresh Mahindra Multi Million Trophy – Grade II. The local challenger Galiat showed urgency well before the half way stage to join the leader Gentle Knowledge. Inside the last 400 metres Galiat headed to the front and opened a lead of over two lengths. Saddle artist Suraj Narredu got Speed Six to make his move around the five horses in front and the 6 year old gelding changed gears fluently to raise a terrific gallop and settle the issue. Galiat finished on being second while another Hyderabad challenger Kohinoor Wish did well to take the third spot ahead of Plenipotent.

L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Shamrock Lady (Ace-Sure Future) who is in rousing form, having won four races from five starts with the Fillies’ at Bangalore being the only exception, made it a start to finish affair in the Madras Race Club Million. King Julien tried to slip in along the rails inside the last 200 metres but was hampered for a clear path as the ‘Lady’ shifted in and ended up in second position. Little Love and Rumour Has It finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer D.Netto saddled a double through Princess Cruise and Winds And Waves to have the satisfaction of having trained the most number of winners this winter although he missed the ‘Championship’ as the awards were officially declared a fortnight ago. Jockey J.H.Christopher who is gaining in confidence with winners coming his way in recent weeks gave a determined ride on Princess Cruise (Epicentre-Tiana) to down the favourite Mount Titlis in the opener, the Palazzio Plate. Imran Chisty took Mount Titlis to the lead right from the word ‘go’. Princess Cruise after racing second in e early stages fell back to fourth as Graceland and Nano Dame moved forward. Princess Cruise was pulled out near the 800 metres marker and improved well to be in striking position. Inside the last 300 metres Princess Cruise was set alight but Mount Titlis kept kicking on and was looking to pull it off. The ‘Princess’ finally responded to Christopher’s relentless effort and despite lugging in managed to surge forward in the last 50 metres. Graceland and Tamanna ended up third and fourth respectively.

Winds And Waves (Sussex-Venice) which was relegated to the fourth position after an objection being upheld last Saturday won the Good Fellas Plate with ease. Jumping out from draw one, Winds And Waves did not have any difficulty in going to the lead. Rounding the final bend Dashrath Singh brought Winds And Waves from around Kohinoor Desire and shot ahead to leave the rest behind with two furlongs left from home. Greek Star and Decathlon both made their bid but found the winner too good to catch and finished second and third respectively.

T.Srinagesh trained Pakat Pakat Pakat (Epicentre-Crystal Beauty), which had won only once from 32 starts, made every post a winning one in the Avalanche Star Plate. The 5 year old chestnut gelding sent in as the first favourite at a nourishing 4-1 among the fourteen runners was the smartest out of the gates. Leading all the way Pakat Pakat Pakat suddenly veered out from the fence in the last 100 metres but still managed to be a clear four lengths in front at the finish. Racing Queen managed to pip Dazzling Princess for the runner-up berth by one thousandth of a second.

L.D’Silva trained Palm Springs (Placerville-Shalaya) was ridden with renewed effort by A.Sandesh to nose out the favourite Racing Ahead in a pulsating finish that can be termed as a fitting finale to the Winter season at Hyderabad. Palm Springs set out on a start to finish bid and Racing Ahead started to move up with a strong challenge. Sandesh continued to ride out Palm Springs even as Racing Ahead got stronger from the outside. The two went past the winning post together in a stirring duel and technology helped the judges to declare the winner. Palm Springs had touched the wire first, a minute 0.002 seconds being the difference between the two of them.