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AUTHENTIC SIZZLES, SCORES IMPRESSIVE VICTORY

By Mahendra Mallya | 12 Apr 2015 | MUMBAI


Trainer Rajesh Narredu leading Authentic (C S Jodha Up), winner of The Audi Presents The Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy (Gr.2)

Authentic (Tejano – Auberge, Yeravada Stud) made his trip to Mumbai count when he trounced the opposition with a stamp of authority to clinch the Audi Presents The Maharaja Harisinghji Trophy (Gr2). Favorite Shivalik Showers went to the front in his customary style and at a steady pace. La Femme Fleur, Mountbatten, Trance and Mr Gorgeous were bunched up close behind with Authentic second last and Maximus at the tail end.

The race came to a boil in the straight with Shivalik Showers giving it his all to stay in front. La Femme Fleur was asking questions and Mr Gorgeous too was looking swift. Trance could not find much and was struggling. Authentic shifted to top gear with about 300 to go and he arrived with a resounding gallop that left the field stranded. The moment Authentic appeared on the scene, it was all over instantly. Authentic unleashed a fiery gallop to simply draw away from them all. That was it, Authentic sealed the race then and there, much before the final furlong. Shivalik Showers was beaten by a better horse on the day but he too did fairly well to stay second at the wire. Maximus ran on from the rear to take the third spot.

Pesi Shroff’s latest juvenile Rigoletto (Kingda Ka – Highland Ghillie, Nanoli Stud) scored on debut, but it was all hard work as Magnificence made the on-money favourite toil and earn his maiden success. Magnificence shot into the lead passing the front-running Alfonso soon on turning for home. Trevor played all his cards right as he built a handy lead and kept working Magnificence to maintain his momentum. Jockey DK Ashish had to do all the hard work. Getting Rigoletto to focus and raise his gallop took some effort and he was also losing on time. Magnificence still had a handy lead coming into the final furlong. Ashish’s attempts were rewarded as Rigoletto started to close in rapidly. Trevor being Trevor, gave it his all and fought till the very end. In the last couple of strides, Rigoletto made the forward surge to snatch victory close home by a short-head.

In the earlier race Shroff had sent out Apache (Ad Valorem – Chateau Beach, Hazara Stud) to a walk-in-the-park victory, Trevor having to do precious little all the way. Apache sailed into the lead and on entering in the straight stretched out nicely without being extended to romp home by a clear margin. His Highness was so simply no match and did not even look like getting even close to Apache. Apache brought about his second win on the trot and this victory was with a lot more authority and panache.  

Zander (Phoenix Tower – Merwaha, Manjri Stud) put in a brave show and justified the top billing he was conferred. He sped ahead to lead soon on start and even though the others were snapping on his tail, he quickened very nicely in the straight to stay clearly ahead until the winning post. Victorious March and Moon Shadow tried hard to catch up, but Zandar, unlike last time, showed a lot more resolve to pull it off comfortably. Moon Shadow could only manage to peg back Victorious March for the runner-up slot.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Ladybird was coming on the race track after her December run in the Indian 1000 Guineas and her return was as admirable as can be. Vishal had managed well to bring her on and Ladybird showed no sign of any rustiness whatsoever.

Gangnam Style and Ravello fought for the early lead, but Ravello did not look as sharp as he is known to be. Gangnam Style led them into the straight with Saints N Sinners in second. Ladybird had to tackle a dicey time when she moved through the rails with the peril of being squeezed in a possibility. However, jockey DK Ashish poked through the gap and started to gain on Gangnam Style. The pair tussled for a few strides and in the last 100 meters or so, Ladybird overpowered Gangnam Style to post a good victory on return, her third for the season.

Malesh Narredu trained Attraction (Dylan Thomas – Just Julie, Sohna Stud) justified the short price offered on him and walloped the hapless opponents notching up a runaway win. It was a no-contest right from start as Attraction darted to the front and led comfortably all the way through. Once inside the homestretch, jockey Sandesh had only to keep it going and Attraction, as if treading on a treadmill kept galloping on to score a facile victory by over five lengths. Spontaneous Eddie was a pale shadow of his last winning start and was tailing the field right through and ended a poor last. Lohtse showed a wee bit of spark in the first half of the straight, but ended a far away second.   

Desert Rage (New Famous – Desert Conqueror, Yerawada Stud) was a rage in the betting backed out heavily at race time. Earth Tamer was the other one to receive good last minute support. Alderley Edge too had his share of supporter.

Ice Affair led the field homewards and was soon challenged by Earth Tamer. Trevor had some serious manoeuvring to do astride Desert Rage. Alderley Edge failed to keep a straight course and that was fatal. Earth Tamer had barely joined Ice Affair when Desert Rage came along with a solid finish. The SK Sunderji ward surged ahead with venom and in a trice was galloping away from the rest. Earth Tamer ended a tame second just ahead of Alderley Edge. Secret Oath kicked on and did well to finish in the frame alongside Earth Tamer and Alderley Edge.

Subhag Singh’s Cold Play (Chevalier – Winning Talk, Ruia Stud) gained from her inspiring finish to come up trumps at the business end. With a furlong to go, it was a cavalry charge with Spear of Trium, Polar Zone, Cold Play, Diamond Thief, Queen of Venus toiling hard for the upper hand and Winds of Change joining the fight with a long stretch run from the wide outside. It looked anybody’s race with less than a furlong to go. Cold Play surged forward past Polar zone and was soon challenged by Winds of Change and Queen of Venus. However, young Bhawani Singh powered ahead to ward off the challengers effectively and carve out a narrow win. Winds of Change had to make a Herculean effort after failing to be in a good position in the early half of the race. He surfaced from way back to end second. Queen of Venus showed a little more spark this time to end in the place money.

Hormuz Antia’s Rocking (Diffident – Starboard, Poona Stud) was the hot favourite and he certainly made a heavy weather of his task but won in a close finish. Miss Senorita led them into the straight and kept going. Leothefiercehorse moved to second and started to close in. Rocking was hard ridden by jockey P Trevor who was egging him on. In the final furlong, Leothefiercehorse zipped past Miss Senorita easily and Rocking now started to get alongside. The duo battled hard and it was Trevor’s relentless riding and the couple of timely cracks that got Rocking to peg back Leothefiercehorse at the finish.

For the professionals, Pesi Shroff was the lone trainer to saddle a double, while jockey P Trevor scored a treble and jockeys Sandesh and DK Ashish scored a double each.