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BOLD MAJESTY RECORDS SECOND DERBY SUCCESS IN STYLE

By Ikram Khan | 26 Jan 2015 | BANGALORE


Trainer S Ganapathy leading Bold Majesty (A Sandesh Up), winner of The Legacy Bangalore Derby (Gr.1)

An hour after Bold Majesty recorded his second Derby success, winning the Bangalore winter Derby after his victory in the Mysore Derby, turf baron Dr M A M Ramaswamy, the proud owner of the Multidimensional out of Fond Fantasy gelding from the Usha Stud Farm called up trainer S Ganapathy to load and move him to Mumbai for the Indian Derby scheduled to be held on Sunday, Feb 1.  The decision of MAM surprised most taking into account that Be Safe is in good heart and the richest and the most glamorous event in the Indian racing calendar is at the mercy of this Ramaswamy horse under the care of Mallesh Narredu.

A trifle surprised but a delighted Ganapathy in the next hour moved Bold Majesty and the two youngsters from his yard, Oxford Opinion who has recorded two straight victories and Eternal Flame to Mumbai.

Ganapathy revealed that the `Big Boss’  always believed in providing all his horses a chance  to compete on the big stage and Bold Majesty earned the right to travel to Mumbai after his splendid win in the blue riband at home.

“He knows that Be Safe is head and shoulders above the rest. At the same time he feels that Bold Majesty has earned the right to showcase his talent against the best and for all he has done he should be allowed a shot on the big stage and that’s the quality of the man,” said Ganapathy.

Last year the connections of Agostini spearheaded by Ashok Ranpise did the same but whatever may be the result the owners, who provide their horses a chance to compete on big stage must be lauded simply because it involves good amount of time and money for the bold exercise.

On form Bold Majesty  was a `sitter’ but with a couple of other classic hopefuls, Authentic, Torch Bearer and the Mumbai challenger Athens fancying their chances, the price quoted on the favourite drifted from even-money to (18/10)  which came as a big bonus for the supporters of the champion.

Sandesh produced a near-perfect effort on the star performer choosing to bide his time before timing his final challenge to a nicety.  The Scottish professional David Allan set a scorching pace for most part of 2400 metres long classic journey and he was the first one who looked beat before the 11 horses negotiated the final curve and in fact the Padmanabhan ward finished last.  Authentic who tracked Torch Bearer produced a satisfactory effort to finish second ahead of Athens while Azzurro took the fourth spot.

“He is a very game performer and I love partnering him. I have won three classics on him and each time he has given his best,” said Sandesh who will continue his partnership with the champion in Mumbai.

The 152 year Commemoration Trophy of the Bangalore Turf Club was claimed by the favourite Arrogant Approach who recorded a hat-trick. Former international cricket umpire A V Jayaprakash who owns the winner in partnership was delighted with the sublime effort of Arrogant Approach who has scaled a new high after joining the string of Suleiman Attaollahi.  Alexandra Mills reared up and dropped his rider Srinath at the jump while Duma who failed to keep pace with the field early in the mile long trip produced an eye-catching gallop to finish a creditable second.

Earlier, Heaven Is Here on the strength of his impressive debut, second behind Sun Moon And Stars  garnered the maximum support in the NRCE  Cup for juveniles but the filly failed to match strides with Oxford Opinion and in fact was lucky to finish second ahead of Ravelnation  who easily could have gained the runner-up berth had Imran Chisty displayed more willingness and enterprise in the saddle.  Castle Key from Arjun Manglorkar’s yard too had a fair share of supporters but he again flattered to deceive confirming that he will take time to graduate into the winners’ circle.

On handicap, Connemara was best placed to win the Indian Republic Trophy and he did that in the hands of Pradeep Chouhan who rode a copybook race on the winner. The victory of the grey, it is needless to mention, satisfied Marthand Mahindra most after Hendrix disappointed twice.

 After his dad struck through Oxford Opinion, son Arvind just didn’t want to be left behind leading in Mandarin, a smart winner of the upper division of the Vijayanagar Cup run over a sprint. Youre Ashwashakthi who appears to have mesmerized all the track reporters at this centre was the overwhelming favourite but the Pradeep ward did little to justify her performances in the morning trials and finished in the ruck. Spanish Moon after her fair effort in her last effort finished behind Mandarin and is one for the notebook.

On the strength of his facile victory in his debut this season, Power Of Time  rightly opened the favourite in the upper division of the Vidhana Soudha Cup before money came pouring in on the Narayan Gowda schooled Mickey Mouse. The  connections of Mickey Mouse, it was clear had planned a big coup on D-day aware of the fact that Mickey Mouse had beaten a couple of higher rated horses in the past. But what they discounted was that Power Of Time who suffered from tendon issues early in his career is a top class material.  Taking on a powerful horse at the wrong time costed the owners of the popular Disney character dear, Power Of Time brilliantly piloted by Imran Khan proving too good on the day.

The lower division of the event was won by another Amit Caddy ward Kingston Town, the only difference was that this winner piloted by Ramu was offered at 10/1 in the betting ring.  In his last effort over a similar trip Kingston Town who was fancied strongly performed like a dud finishing down the field on Jan 9. 

Two weeks later the shock winner appears to have sported wings romping home in style.  The shocked punters are questioning the ability of the stipes at this centre who have made no effort to bring to book the erratic changes in the performances of the horses.  Will the stipes wake up and get their act right is the question?  Well your guess is as good as mine.