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SHEER CLASS GALLOPS AWAY TO WIN MYSTICAL TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 27 Nov 2014 | MUMBAI


Trainer P Shroff leading Sheer Class (Trevor Patel Up), winner of The Mystical Trophy

The warm day at the Mahalaxmi racecourse brought in the chilling news of the sad demise of Aussie cricketer Phillip Hughes. Sport is a global connector and any such freak occurrence makes one aware of the high levels of peril that lurk. Racing too has had its share of such devastating calamities. One still remembers the tragic end of budding star jockey Karl Umrigar decades ago. There are several who have had fatal falls and many others who have been rendered with inability to pursue their profession due to terminal injuries.

In our country where cricket has the highest following, racing patrons at the RWITC were seen and heard discussing the tragedy and were evidently disturbed by the incident. There are such dark sides to sporting events but the show goes on. The ones that lost their lives shall always be remembered. R I P Phil, the racing fraternity shares immense grief over this tragic accident.

Sheer Class (Shamardal – Ripple of Pride, Kunigal Stud) dominated the race from the word go. The dark bay filly from Shroff’s yard hit the front and never looked back. She kept galloping at a nippy pace and when they turned for home, jockey Trevor had little to do as Sheer Class kept a good momentum going all through. She clocked a fast timing of 1:36:48 without particularly firing on all cylinders and the pack of runners following her could not even manage to narrow down the margin even as Trevor eased up Sheer Class going for the line. Trance, who received steady support at race time, finished tame second a good 3 3/4 lengths behind. Sheer Class looked in fine nick as she galloped to her second successive victory after ending her Pune campaign on a winning note. She looks well in line for a hat-trick.

Brynhill (Noverre – Chain Reaction, Sohna Stud) returned to winning ways after a returning a blank in Pune where he had a couple of near-misses. This time round, Brynhill had a firm grip on the race from the start and five-kilo claimer G Santosh rode out impeccably to score a start to finish victory over the scurry.

Brynhill jumped out quick and stayed ahead of Deep Diver in chase, with Rajsamman, Zoom Zoom and favourite Tammy O following in that order. On turning for home, Brynhill turned on the heat and galloped purposefully, hiking up the acceleration and leaving nothing to chance. Tammy O covered ground, but was no match to the blaze that Brynhill showed. Brynhill stopped the clock at an impressive 0:57:86, which was split seconds off the record timing of 0:57:70 standing in the name of Way Out.

Mr Shapoor Mistry representing the Manjri Stud Farm reaped rich rewards scoring a lucrative double with Athens and Quick Fire. Dallas Todywalla trained Athens (Pioneerof the Nile – Little Treasure, Manjri Stud) scored his second victory on the trot (last out winner at Pune) as she too dished out a start to finish victory to clinch the MH Ahmedbhoy Trophy without encountering any challenge. She took off at a steady pace and dictated her own terms leading comfortably over Ace Fantasy, Al Shamsheer, and Square Moon. Grenadine raced at the rear end of the field.

Into the homestretch, Athens got stronger had a lot left in the tank. Al Shamsheer tried to challenge but his pretence was quelled decisively and he could not even get the measure of runner-up Ace Fantasy. Grenadine had too much to do in the straight, and she could not garner enough speed to make an impact on either Athens or Ace Fantasy. She ended beating Al Shamsheer for the third spot. Athens proved far superior, while Ace Fantasy did well to stay in the second spot. Grenadine may have needed this run to sharpen up and over a longer trip she will always fancy her chances.

Quick Fire (Phoenix Tower – Star Qualities, Manjri Stud) finally added to her debut win which was in October of 2013. She had run forward races in Pune but had lacked the killer instinct. This time however, the Rajendra-trained filly was right on the button. She was off to a quick start and jockey Dashrath Singh did well to get her close behind the favourite Mine Forever from an outside draw. The field was closely bunched together and a tight finish looked on the cards.

Mine Forever led them into the straight with Quick Fire mounting his challenge from the outside and Natalian Express making her bid from the rail side. Zenofic, who was never in the best of positions, went for the rail run and was improving, inching his way and eager to find a free passage. With Natalian Express fighting on, Zenofic had to make do with a narrow gap from which to emerge. Meanwhile, Mine Forever was finding it hard to raise the bar and with a furlong to go, the challengers were looking a lot more dangerous. She caved in as Quick Fire put in a nice surge forward. Natalian Express jostled with Zenofic, the latter also bumping into the inner rails at one point. Dashrath Singh rode hard and Quick Fire responded equally well to sew up the issue a stride or two from the winning post. Zenofic finished on fast to end up on the haunches of the winner to wrest the second spot from Natalian Express. Mine Forever disappointed and just about managed to figure in the frame.

The betting trends pitched Savage Beauty as the firm favourite with Bethpage next in demand. Spades and Ultimate Glory had stray support while the others were available in double digits.

Hot Pepper shot ahead to lead the field with Bethpage and Cha Cha Cha close behind, Savage Beauty and the others settling a couple of lengths away. The pace picked up on turning for home as Cha Cha Cha moved up to challenge Hot Pepper. Soon Savage Beauty made rapid progress and looked good approaching the distance post. Spades also gained ground trying to make his run through the rails. Bethpage however, faded away without showing any resistance. Just when Savage Beauty emerged to put her nose in front, His Highness surfaced with a terrific turn of foot to charge ahead and floor the attempts of Savage Beauty within a couple of strides. His Highness accelerated extremely well and pulled off a forceful victory with a fiery finish. The unassuming jockey DK Ashish did all things right to time his finish with deadly effect.  The Imtiaz-trainee looks capable and would do well over longer trips as well.

Sun Hot (Mull of Kintyre – Secret Charm, Capricorn Stud) was another one on the day to knit together back-to-back victories between Pune and Mumbai. The last start winner led from the start and apprentice jockey SJ Sunil rode him out confidently all the way through. Burgundy Rose made a strong bid towards the end, however, Sun Hot had amassed a handy lead in the final furlong and was well ahead for the rest to ensure it was all smooth sailing. Mateus Rose arrived far too late to spoil the plans of Plan B of picking up the place money.

The last race of the day saw Hormuz Antia ward Pretty in Patpong (Ikhtyar – Giocosa, Nanoli Stud) receiving tremendous support, backed down to the proverbial exclusion of the other runners. True to the pre-race overwhelming trends, Pretty in Patpong threw a telling blow to her hapless rivals which had in its ranks four stable-mates among the dozen runners. Diamondzip gave it his all but failed to prevent the Antia Juggernaut as Pretty in Patpong improved from second to take charge in the final furlong and runaway with the race and notch up a four-lengths-plus victory. That was not all, two other Antia wards Star Prince and Annabeth fought out the minor placing as well and made an impressive surge of one…two…three for Antia. Diamondzip for all his efforts managed to stay in the frame.