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QUICK FIRE RAGES ON TO WIN SOUTHERN EMPIRE TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 12 Mar 2015 | MUMBAI


Trainer C Rajendra leading Quick Fire (Dashrath Singh Up), winner of The Southern Empire Trophy

C Rajendra trained Quick Fire (Phoenix Tower – Star Qualitites, Manjri Stud) put in a scorching finish to pull of a thrilling win and claim the Southern Empire Trophy, a class I affair over 1200 meters. The pace was nippy as favourite Zander showed out early and kept a good pace going. Moon Shadow and Quick Fire followed him close behind with the rest not too far away until the straight.

Zander held the advantage but looked vulnerable when Moon Shadow came up with a challenge. For a moment Moon Shadow looked potent and gave an impression that may just carry on all the way. It was in the final 150 meters that a dual challenge cropped up as One kept Secret and Quick Fire arrived with a fast gallop. Quick Fire sizzled in the final fifty to get past Moon Shadow and thwart One Kept Secrets attack to win by a length.

Nirad Karanjawalla ward Sheronna (Indian Haven – Madam Marjou, Ruia Stud) galloped gallantly to earn her first career win, doing exceedingly well to last out the long Mumbai straight. She had to battle hard all the way as favourite Sabotage was rallying hard after conceding his lead to the winner.

Sabotage and Rapid Girl were up in front at the turn, when Rapid Girl appeared to have suffered an equipment malfunction and veered out just at the turn. Jockey Imran Chisty was never in control and the saddle may have slipped. Sabotage led them into the straight with Sheronna lurking along the rails. Jockey A Sandesh seized the opportunity and slipped past Sabotage to take the lead. Sheronna picked up momentum and surged to a handy lead and galloped relentlessly right through. Sabotage tried hard to win back the advantage but Sheronna’s determined and sustained effort paid off as she held on to win rather comfortably in the end. Sabotage slipped up in his final run yet tried to wrest it back and fell fighting all the way. He deserves another chance and could prove worth to follow. Romantic Racer also showed some sparkle momentarily, but could not sustain. Mambo Magic too ran below par.

Trainer Narendra Lagad saddled a lucrative double with Al Shamsheer and Star. Al Shamsheer created a flutter when he tore ahead and amassed a huge lead coming into the back stretch over the 2400 meters race for the Radha Sigtia Trophy.

Al Shamsheer dictated his own terms and set a steady pace throughout. By the time they started to take the final curve, Al Shamsheer (Yeats – Prize Magic, Nanoli Stud) still had a huge cushion of a lead. Zazou, who was always in second, just could not find her feet and was completely overwhelmed. The 10/7 on favourite seemed overawed by the massive lead and simply could not catch up with the winner. Grenadine made little impact.

Naren then led in the well backed favourite Star (Arabian Gulf – Star Princess, Manjri Stud) in the concluding race of the day. Star had little trouble and just as his stable mate Al Shamsheer, he too got off to a quick start and led from the word go. Joleen did well to break out of an outside draw to join the leader quickly. However, once they turned for home, Star accelerated smoothly and soon sailed away from Joleen. Blue Flame arrived with a late bid, but only when all was over. She managed to beat Joleen for the second spot though and ended narrowing Star’s margin of victory. Blue Flame also is one to note.

Mine Forever (Placerville – You Are the One, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) pulled off a sensational win staying focused and aggressively taming the challenge that came from Beach Game. The Shroff trained filly led them into the straight and looked good even as the others were coming at her. Zervan looked calm and confident as he stayed ahead even as the fight grew grimmer. Wind Craft, Impressionist and even Cha Cha Cha were in full flow, yet not making much impression on Mine Forever. Beach Game was the one who arrived on the scene with a game gallop. He covered ground briskly and cut the margin rapidly. However, Mine Forever rolled on to keep his nose on the wire and save the day for her backers. Beach Game was unlucky not to have got the winner on the post. Wind Craft showed good improvement and something could be brewing, so it could pay to watch him when he runs next.

Trainer Vishal Gaikwad has started off on a consistent note and his charge Sentimental (Glory of Dancer – Al Khanez, Nanoli Stud) received strong support in the ring at race time. Harvey, the joint favourite saw a drift in odds and that trend played spot on. Magnum Opus took over the running once they settled down and brought the field into view. Regal, Running Storm and Harvey were up close with Sentimental following them.

Once into the straight, Magnam Opus carried on for a bit and before Harvey could make a move, Sentimental lit up with an electrifying run and surged past them all within split seconds. Sentimental has shown remarkable improvement under Vishal’s care and won readily. Her manner of victory implies that the burly trainer could possibly place her to win again. Flying Show, who was way behind before the run-in for home, finished on fastest to run a good second. Sentimental proved too good for the field and justified the large-scale support she enjoyed.

Glorious Crown (Emerald Cat – Gorgeous Princess, Capricorn Stud) won the day’s opener sustaining on a good start. She entered the straight with a slender lead but capitalized on jockey Akshay’s good handling. Askhay waited just the required bit and saved considerably for the final furlong. Favourite Ocean Star failed to raise a fluent gallop and was hanging for a while and could not go on optimum level. Gyahana improved in the final stages to get past Ocean Star and end just over a length behind Glorious Crown.

For the professionals, trainer Narendra Lagad saddled a double as did jockeys S Zervan and Dashrath Singh.