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NIGHT OF MIGHTY SPLENDOR @ RWITC

By Mahendra Mallya | 18 Apr 2015 | MUMBAI


Trainer S Mangalorkar leading Mighty Splendor (Dharmendar Up), winner of The Frozone Cup Div-I

The sheer number of people in the jam-packed stands was testimony to the enthusiastic response that RWITC’s Sundown racing campaign garnered. The opening ceremony with the managing committee of the Club on stage marked the historic moment in Indian racing. A quick welcome speech by the Chairman Mr KN Dhunjibhoy and a few words from Dr Ram Shroff on the exciting new venture of night racing was followed by a colorful display of fireworks that enthralled the cheering spectators. The roar of the crowd, hither to reserved for the Indian Derby was heard again as commentator Deepak Rajpal switched on his mic to say “ Gates open and the RWITC creates history with the running of the first race under the lights…” himself becoming the first commentator to render live commentary for night racing. “I was truly excited and this is the topmost feeling in my 30 odd years in the profession. I have called tens of thousands of races, but believe me nothing compared to this moment! I wish my club the very best in this endeavour and seeing the response I am sure night racing is here to stay,” said Rajpal.

There were other firsts too with Sandeep Manglorkar basking in the ‘flood lights’ while leading the first winner after sundown in his six-year-old mare Mighty Splendor (Ace – Name of Love, Poonawalla Stud). Jockey Dharmendar could have been inspired a great deal by the new experience as he chose this special occasion to score a win. Recollecting when he won last, could knock the ‘daylight’ out of one’s mind! Jokes aside, Dharmendar now has an enviable record of being the first jockey to win the inaugural race under lights. For any sport, this sort of academic record is cherish-able for those involved. Good luck and congratulations to the winners.

It was not all easy for Mighty Splendor though. Sunshine Heart had built a handy lead in the straight and was still going well. Spear of Trium was in chase and a serious contender. Mighty Splendor was being whipped to bring out her best. With a furlong left to go, Sunshine Heart was fighting a hard battle to ward off Spear of Trium. Mighty Splendor then responded to Dharmendar’s call and in a sudden rush of blood surged past the fighting duo to land the spoils in the nick of time.

The deafening cheer from the crowd as Mr & Mrs Sandeep Manglorkar, the winning connections, led in Mighty Splendor through the well lit aisle, said it all for the beginning of a new chapter in the annals of Indian racing. The fanfare for the occasion was tasteful with an array of goodies and drinks available freely across the venue.

The day started on a good note for the followers of favorites with the first three races won by first favorites.

Gaabrrio (Phoenix Tower – Balimaya, Manjri Stud) set the ball rolling with a last ditch effort that managed to pip Nigella on the last stride. Nigella moved from one behind leader Sindbaad to take charge soon on turning for home. She strode out well to shake off Pretty Lights but had Gaabrrio starting to inch closer with about a furlong to go. Nigella held on stubbornly and it looked a wee bit tough to peg her back. However, Gaabrrio lunged forward in the nick of time to hit the wire and pinch the race off Nigella, Dashrath Singh putting in his all to have trainer Narendra Lagad lead-in the winner.

Pesi Shroff then sent out a back-to-back double, both strongly fancied horses. One dished out an emphatic victory, the other had hearts pumping, finally managing to etch out a victory in the stewards’ room.

The emphatic winner was Persian Prince (Arazan – Elouana, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) who went out at half-money. On settling down, Wajood led the field and entered the straight with a good four length advantage. Soon Fearless Nadia moved well to zip past the leader and take charge. Persian Prince improved from the rear and a crack or two from jockey Akshay got him going in a flash. He swopped upon the front runners and got past Fearless Nadia in a flash to seal the race the moment he made his forward dash. He compiled a solid four-length plus victory and looks a good type to watch out for, particularly over the middle or longer distance trips. Fearless Nadia caught one better and on her day can be a handful.

El Camino (Rebuttal – Empress Jessie, Hazara Stud) had to toil as Hoshiyar, the only other horse in the betting managed to ‘neck’ him out on the race track. However, Hoshiyar veered out under pressure and bumped into El Camino at a crucial juncture which jockey Trevor later complained had unbalanced his and caused him to lose a certain race. The stewards reviewed the race and after interviewing both jockeys found merit in Trevor’s objection and awarded the race to El Camino. The decision was unanimous and seemed correct.

Staristocrat was the first casualty as the on-money favorite failed to quicken to end a fair third. Ice Zone (Major Impact – Sunshiner, Manjri Stud) got into the act quickly and led all the way into the straight. Free Speech was second but was soon hauled by Himalayan Queen with Staristocrat unable to find much within. With Free Speech too making little impact, the race was confined between leader Ice Zone and challenger Himalayan Queen. Both battle hard but young Akshay Gaikwad rode his heart out to keep the momentum going and denying Himalayan Queen to snatching the race away.

Saker (Arazan – Glorious Fantasy, Cyza Stud) showed out from the start to post a facile end to end victory. Sandesh eased him into the lead soon as the gates flung open and he kicked on at a good clip. He led them into the straight and then accelerated fluently to win unchallenged. Vitesse was hard at work all through the straight, but never once raised a strong challenge. Joss too had his chances being in striking position, but failed to quicken in a manner to cause any impact.

Shaughnessy (Glory of Dancer – Struie, Nanoli Stud) worked his way up steadily to pounce on the leaders in the final furlong to earn a well run race. Magic Vision was on a mission and he quickly moved ahead to lead the field once into the straight. The others were rallying behind and Magic Vision had a task on hand alright. While he managed to steer clear of the rest, Shaughnessy improved steadily to challenge Magic Vision with less than a furlong to go. Magic Vision fought hard, but Shaughnessy got overbearing in the last few strides and eventually got past Magic Vision to carve out a narrow win. Ceasarina moved up places to end a good third, pegging back favorite Con Man to fourth.

Extreme Love (Noverre – Extreme contact, Sohna Stud) produced an electrifying run towards the business end of the race to clinch the issue in the final furlong. El Wonder had made all the running and led them into the straight, with Dreamz Unlimited, Extreme Love and Soothsayer close behind. Once into the straight, Extreme Love gathered momentum and soon went past El Wonder and even before the others could launch an attck, Extreme Love with Sandesh in the saddle had stolen a march and sped away. Incentio ran on to snatch the runner-up berth ahead of Soothsayer and Umarkot.

Zarar (Mull of Kintyre – Fantasy Lake, Anamali Stud) pulled off a well-fought victory in the last race of the day. He moved to second and began to chase down Zafirah. The pair battle hard for a fe strides but in the end, Zarar accelerated well to surge ahead and post a comfortable win.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a double as did Hormuz Antia. A Sandesh, P Trevor and Dashrat Singh also returned with a double each.