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MAM, GANAPATHY SET TO CALL THE SHOTS THIS SUMMER

By Ikram Khan | 15 May 2015 | BANGALORE


Ikram Khan

After the two-week break, the railbirds are ready with their many permutations and combinations to strike it rich on the opening week-end of the Bangalore summer season and to the delight of the punters the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) has done well to frame an 18-race card on the first two days. The 26-day summer season which promises to test the skills of the many top pros and the top horses under their care will be highly competitive taking into account that all the classic hopefuls have already started to strutt their stuff in the morning trials. The leading trainers this season, it is clear are adopting a different approach, take the first strike and score rather than wait and watch before playing the trump card.

This most  big guns in the business revealed is the right strategy this summer simply because the weather is good and the track is in fine shape.

Leading trainer S Ganapathy who now has the best horse on the Indian racing circuit, Be Safe after the turf baron Dr MAM Ramaswamy decided to pull out all his horses from Mallesh Narredu following the injudicious effort of Suraj Narredu on the champion in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup in Mumbai disclosed that in a short summer season, it always pays to be up and running early. "Early bird catches the worm," Ganapathy pointed out and the top pro with the highest rated filly Eternal Flame and Be Safe in his yard is looking to make it a summer to remember,

Back at the BTC after a two-year break, Ramaswamy after checking out his stock with Ganapathy and his two sons, Karthik and Arvind made no secret of his opinion that he holds a whip hand this summer.

"Well let me tell you that Mystical is the best horse I owned and Smart Chieftan according to me is next best. But Be Safe despite his loss thanks to the below par effort of Suraj Narredu can measure up to the above mentioned two and the onus is now on Ganapathy  and Sandesh to put him in that league," said MAM.

“I have never led in Be Safe, unable to travel  due to fitness related issues but my visit to Bengaluru has given me the confidence and I promise I will make frequent trips this summer and hopefully will lead in Be Safe after he wins one of the many major plums on offer this season, said MAM.

Immensely pleased with the start Arvind Ganapathy has made,saddling 13 winners including making a winning debut in Mahalaxmi (Mumbai) through Sharp Witted, MAM while lauding the effort of the youngster declared that one needs to continue doing the good work. "It is the consistency which separates the good from the ordinary and the youngsters should aim to remain consistent in their effort to make the big league.

After learning that more than 900 horses are at the BTC campus, MAM was of the view that the BTC should conduct a  32-day summer season. "The weather here is good. The attendance at this centre particularly in summer is best so what prevents BTC from having mid-week racing asked MAM pointing out that if Mumbai can hold racing on Thursday at a time when racing is on in all premier centres, why can’t BTC  make good use  of Wednesday," questioned the big boss of Indian racing.

The BTC chairman Harimohan Naidu satisfied with the preparations  disclosed that the track thanks to good spell of rains is in fine condition and  with 85 outstation horses including a few classic hopefuls from Mumbai, the summer season will generate maximum interest among the racing buffs.

The chairman pointed out that the Kingfisher Derby scheduled to be held on July 12 is the second richest event, next only to the McDowell Indian Derby in Mumbai  in the Indian racing calendar, offering stakes of 2.5 crore.

“Well most owners and the professionals are happy to race in Bengaluru  simply because the stakes offered by BTC are better and the competition during summer tests the best,” said Harimohan.

Top Indian pro Sandesh retained by MAM is down here after his wedding and the top saddle artiste is confident that he will enjoy a good run this summer. "Sandesh's strike rate with my horses is good and we hope to maintain our winning streak," in the plums, said Ganapathy.

While Sandesh dons the  golden-brown silks of MAM, jockey Zervan is roped in by champion trainer S Padmanabhan  and taking into account that Padmanabhan under his wings has a couple of good youngsters, Zervan like Sandesh is ready to put the record straight and prove his mettle. .

Well all said and done the stage is set and the starter's flag on a bright Saturday afternoon will provide the many classic hopefuls a big chance to graduate to the elite list this summer.