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

TIGER TOPS POCKETS VILLOO POONAWALLA INDIAN OAKS

By Mahendra Mallya | 18 Jan 2015 | MUMBAI


Mr Haresh N Mehta, Mr Manav H Mehta leading Tiger Tops (Colm O Donoghue Up), winner of The Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1)

A fairly good number of enthusiastic people filled the stands to witness the third Indian Classic – the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr1) at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. Surprisingly, the bookmakers felt generous as they hiked the odds on favourite Tiger Tops twice over, from on-money ante-post to very much back-able 16/10 at race time. The supporters of Tiger Tops though were not complaining as they got back a lot more than they had set out expecting. ‘Travel fatigue’ is probably what the bookmakers’ think tank must have reckoned for increasing the odds so alarmingly on the pre-race favourite. Well, Pesi Shroff returned one –up as he had obviously ensured Tiger Tops made the journey comfortably. So she showed when she blew away the opposition, which on hindsight seemed lacking in depth, as the runner-up has  won only  in Class IV, while the Indian 1000 Guineas winner Godspeed had reportedly undergone Laryngeal surgery just a couple of weeks back. None of the nine opponents could match the blaze of Tiger Tops.  

Tiger Tops was on a mission. She had found one better in the Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes (Gr1) in Quasar just a week earlier and was rushed to Mumbai soon after. Tiger Tops was up to the task as she jumped out smartly to tail Helping Hand all through the first few furlongs f the race. Jockey Colm O’Donoghue soon surged to the front and taking charge past the 1400 mark. Aquamarine too was up with the pace and she moved to second with the others huddled sloe together. Westphalia and Classic Moment sat back off the pace in the rear.

Tiger Tops looked in command well before the turn as O’Donoghue still had her on tight reins past the 600. Aquamarine was off the bridle and the others seemed too far away as they straightened up for home.  

Tiger Tops (Tiger Hill – Cockayne, Baktawar Stud) steamed in with a powerful thrust and soon she set off at an exhilarating pace. She increased her lead with each stride and galloped away out of reach, coming into the final furlong all by herself. Aquamarine was panting her way to the winning post. Tatiana found her touch and she accelerated well in the homestretch to trounce Aquamarine for the runner-up slot. Classic Conquest made steady progress finishing fourth, coming from a long way back.

Mr Adar C Poonawalla did the presentation honors awarding the attractive trophy to owners Mr Haresh & Manav Mehta, Mr Rakesh Jhunjhunwala & Mr Pallon Mistry.

Victoria Harbour (Phoenix Tower – Alcmene, Manjri Stud) enhanced her reputation with another solid victory. Captain Courage jumped out quickest, but was soon overtaken by Victoria Harbour. B Fifty Two and Colombiana came next followed by Sharp and the others.

Victoria Harbour was a trifle erratic coming into the straight but jockey O’Donoghue soon corrected her and the Dallas Trained filly soon focused on the task and sped away.  Victoria Harbour had little trouble despite giving weight and this effort has highly commendable. She had clocked a nippy 58 seconds plus on her debut success, and now a little over 1:11 certainly implies that she is on in the fast lane.  Colombiana ran green, took the turn wide and in the closing stages seemed to have come to terms while getting past Captain Courage to end runner-up. Captain Courageous started off well and may have needed this run. He looks a good type and it would be interesting to watch his progress.

It was a matter of concern however, when Victoria Harbour returned to the unsaddling enclosure. Jockey Colm O’Donoghue had got off the filly and she seemed in distress. Hoping all is well with the filly.

Trainer Pesi Shroff had a profitable day sending out three winners in all including Tiger Tops claiming the top race of the day. He had earlier saddled Satellite (Burden of Proof – Set Alight, Kunigal Stud) who powered his way to a clinical victory at cramped odds.

Jockey P Trevor guided Satellite to the front soon on settling down and had Draco chasing him all the way.  Light of Arabia too was up with the front-runners but faded out soon after the turn. Satellite streaked ahead soon after entering the straight. Draco tired hard to stay close to the Shroff trainee, however, Satellite opened throttle and went surging clear in the last furlong to win drawing away. Momeywise had a decent outing, but it was Mystical Romance who improved well towards the end to earn place money, beating Moneywise to the third place.

Admiralty (Admiralofthefleet – Caprese, Kunigal Stud) made major impact on his first appearance with a show of superior turn of foot and bounding ahead to win with a massive margin. What made his performance even more debonair was the confident manner in which he took on his opposition. Trevor guided him gradually towards the inner railings from the outside and Admiralty looked comfortable as he settled along the rails. Harvey made all the initial running and he lead the field into the straight. Harvey pounded on staunchly sticking on to his lead, but only until Admiralty appeared on the scene.

Admiralty gained ground briskly along the rails and was sensational in his finish, with minimum effort. He got past each one of them fluently and stormed into the lead approaching the final furlong. He then powered away ahead and won drawing away, showing a lot of quality in his gallop. His victory was most impressive and Admiralty is on his way to higher glories. The Breeders’ and the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million will be in his range and this dazzling display surely holds a lot of promise.

Sacred Fire too warrants a mention as she was at the tail end of the field until the turn. She made considerable progress and certainly caught the eye finishing a good third, close on the haunches of runner-up Harvey.

The Mid-Day Trophy was a thriller with Speed King (Ace – Zarandja, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) putting in a forceful run with Yash Narredu in the saddle.  Favourite Ephialties led them into the straight with Born to Win and Speed King lurking close behind. Speed King improved to challenge Ephialties and the duo fought out a a grim battle. Into the final furlong, Speed King surged ahead and was shaping well. Glorious Reward then arrived with a strong finish, but had too much to do with too little ground available. He however, did well to pip Ephialties and end a close second.

Zander (Phoenix Tower – Merwaha, Manjri Stud) scored his fourth win from six starts in another dazzling display. The CD Katrak ward shot into the lead soon on start and kept a good momentum going all through. He led them into the straight with Full Moon in tow and the others closing in to make a run for it.

Zander however, was toying with the rest. He accelerated smoothly and jockey Srinath got him going at good speed. He powered on ahead and soon it was all over. It was obvious well before the final furlong mark that the rest would have to fight for only the minor placing. Zander was far too superior to the bunch and he kicked on gamely to settle the issue well before the winning post. He won handsomely and looks good for more. Wild Waves too ran well and showed that he is getting into the groove for his moment to come. Full Moon fought her way till the end and managed to save the place money. It appears that she would do best over a shorter scurry and will be a force to reckon with next time out.

Zazou (Royal Kingdom – Zariyaba, Equus Stud) put in a spirited show to score her maiden success on her sixth outing, amply justifying the overwhelming support she received. She shot ahead soon on turning for home and cantered away to score a facile victory. She sped past Gracious on turning for home and then produced an electrifying run to pile on a victory by a street. The rest just could not match up and Ad Astra, the runner up finished a whopping 15 lengths behind the winner. Old timer Romantic Beauty did fairy well to earn the place stakes.

Azadegan was another favourite to etch out his maiden win, but he had to earn his the hard way. The Faisal Abbas ward had the services of A Sandesh in the saddle and that probably tilted the scales in his favor.

Azadegan entered the straight and assumed command. Soon Secret Mission started to apply pressure. The pair fought out the final furlong stride for stride with Sandesh managing to exert that little extra to snatch victory in a photo finish. Secret Mission gave his all but was a trifle unlucky not to finish as he might have liked to. Plated ended a faraway third.

Saporelli failed to live up to expectations yet again and this time she all but won the race. She did everything right and wriggled out through the rails to take the lead. With less than a furlong to go, it appeared she might just be able to make it, however, Pappillon had other ideas as he arrived with a scorching finish to shock the favourite close home.  

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a treble, while jockeys A Sandesh,  P Trevor and Colm O;Donoghue scored a double each.