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SHVALIK SHOWERS WINS CN WADIA GOLD CUP (GR2)

By Mahendra Mallya | 08 Mar 2015 | MUMBAI


Mr G Shewakramani, Mr Nirmal Singh & trainer C D Katrak leading Shivalik Showers (Neeraj Rawal Up), winner of The C.N. Wadia Gold Cup (Gr.2)

Shivalik Showers (Dancing Forever – Sun Shower, Hazara Stud) scored an encore in much the similar fashion as he did last time, bagging the prestigious CN Wadia Gold Cup (Gr2) start to finish. He set off at a good clip and had the well supported Tatiana snapping at his tail when the heads turned for home.

The duo battled it out from the moment they entered the homestretch and Tatiana was always asking questions. Jockey Neeraj Rawal rode hard to keep Shivalik Showers always ahead, although slightly as they battle grew intense in the final furlong. Shivalik Showers in the end wore down Tatiana and notched his second successive win in a thrilling finish. Striking kicked on to end a faraway third.

Spiderman (Glory of Dancer – Miyamoto, Nanoli Stud) was the lone firm favorite to oblige on a dy of upsets. He took a while before getting into the groove,and once he found his rhythm, he sped away quickly to beat the rest comfortably.

Once in the lead, Spiderman darted ahead and left it for the others to chase him down. Egyptiana was the only one who showed some spunk and at least looked like spuring up some fight, however, jockey CS Jodha rode out the Nirad Karanjawalla ward safely to victory. Egyptiana could do no better than take the second spot. Remember Me arrived with a sustained gallop, but when Spiderman looked home and dry. Remember Me ended in the money, beating Ice Zone for the third spot.

Multiglory (Multidimensional – Reflected Glory, Usha Stud) came with a sensation run to create a flutter on the last stride. The betting trend was shared between Heather and Joss, however, neither could come up with a worthy performance. IN the straight, Pearl Secret had taken charge and built up a handy lead. She looked on her way to score and even in the final furlong seemed to be heading for her maiden success. Multiglory then raised a strong gallop with jockey P Trevor timing his run to perfection. He covered a lot of ground at a brisk pace to pip Pearl Secret on the post.

C Rajendra trained Ventura (Arabian Gulf – Star Shine, Manjri Stud) accerated beautifully when it mattered and shunned the late challenge to deny favorite Bethpage to get on top. Ventura surged ahead soon on turning for home and was going at full steam. Bethpage, who was abit tardy at the start, moved out to spring her challenge. Ventura enjoyed a healthy lead in the final furlong and Bethpage improved positions rapidly to give her supporters reason to shout. However, Ventura kicked on gamely and Behpage’s effort came to a naught.

Zana (Multidimensional – Yana, Usha Stud) rallied impressively from way back to make a terrific recovery in the latter half of the homestretch to stamp her authority and score her maiden victory in style.

President had streaked ahead entering the straight but was hounded by a bunch of horses close behind. At the distance post, it looked anybody’s race as Winds of Change, Caesarina, Answer My Prayers and Queen of Venus were scrambling for the finish. Zana arrived with a solid turn of foot to pass them all and zip ahead to shock them all with a fiery gallop and win the race with an eye-catching finish. Answer My Prayers did well to finish second ahead of Winds of Change and tote favorite Queen of Venus.

Trainer Vinay Lagad had worked wonders on Zaagros who had remained winless over a whopping 25 outings. Zaagros is a dip back and after a couple of decent runs at the start of his career, had been awfully out of sorts for a long while. Vinay had obviously put in a lot of hard work and skillfully brought the mare on and Zaagros’ victory would surely have delighted her connections and Vinay in particular has reasons to feel elated about her success.

Zaagros swung into the lead in the straight and galloped away opening up a good lead. Star Prince was lugging out and was finding it hard to gallop fluently and that cost his dearly. Ensign was expected to do a lot better, but she arrived far too late and ended a fair third.

Blitzkrieg (Sedgefield – Forest Family, Jai Govind Stud) ran true to his name and overwhelmed his rivals including on money favorite Another Conquest. He was off early and in the homestretch stole a march in the first half and sustained his tempo all the way home. Another Conquest improved to one behind the leader and his all out effort was not enough to go better than the runner up slot.

Flanker (Burden of Proof – Trck Charm, Kunigal Stud) sprang a surprise with a late burst to win his second race this season. Ashrafie who had won so impressively last time out, pushed for home and even piled on a handy lead. Favorite Fast Lady simply did not raise a gallop. Flanker found his bearings and came with a flourishing run to take them all and score with a brilliant finish. Ashrafie ended a good second ahead of Quest for Love and Centaurus.

Two races were won in the stewards’ room as both objections found favor with the Stewards.

Indus Prince (Noverre – Patricia, Sohna Stud) had chased Super Bolt all the way in the straight. Super Bolt had held on to win by over two lengths. However, apprentice jockey Joseph failed to keep a straight course and interfered with Indus Prince’s progress, hampering him in the process. The Stewards, after interviewing both jockeys ruled to uphold the objection and awarded the race to Indus Prince.

In the last race of the day, Bella Figura had originally won the race. Jockey Sandesh astride Hunt For Heads (Noverre – Bold Raider, Sohna Stud) lodged an objection stating that the winner had crossed his path at the start and again in the homestretch due to which he lost a certain race. Once again the Stewards saw merit in the objection and upheld it, reversing the judge’s verdict and awarding the race to Hunt for Heads.