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ARTESIA PULLS IT OFF CLOSE HOME

By Epsom Ace | 09 Sep 2015 | KOLKATA


Trainer Manvendra Singh leading Artesia (C Alford Up), winner of The Alternator Cup

It turned out to be a fruitful afternoon for punters as barring a couple of races, fancied runners ruled the roost. The main event of the day, The Alternator Cup run over 1800 metres, had only four in the fray but turned out to be rather interesting on two counts – the gross debacle of the favourite Ocean And Beyond and the splendid triumph of Manvendra Singh-trained Artesia (Multidimensional – Trois Etoiles/ Usha Stud) over her ownermate Aviette who did all the running till close home. She drifted out in the home stretch, taking Artesia with her. Incidentally, the mare Artesia had pocketed this very race last year as well. Jockey Christopher Alford rode a confident yet wary race atop the 9/4 second favourite. The public choice Ocean And Beyond was only a shadow of his earlier self, post the now infamous doping saga that saw the long suspension of his trainer. He is also rather long in the tooth and can well look back on his chequered past with a sigh of contentment.

A couple of youngsters that caught the eye during the afternoon were Bharath Singh-trained Noverro and Robert Gowli’s Adrestia. The former has wisely given the Colts Trial Stakes a bye (possibly because he was not entered earlier) and picked up another race despite a penalty of 4.5kg. His closest rival Aculeus needed the run as the son of Noverre out of Erina ( Sohna Stud) made every post of the Genesis Handicap a winning one in the hands of Dashrath Singh. Top-weight Lanner Falcon was impressive while finishing runner-up. His 2kg  penalty places him in Class II for his next outing. However, Noverro gets another opportunity at top-weight in Class III. Placed Judiciously, he may yet complete his hat-trick.

Adrestia (Multidimensional – Gloriosa/ Usha Stud) ran a cracker of a race to pocket the Grey Wings Handicap. The  filly displayed remarkable acceleration to sail past stablemate Santero who looked a winner at the top of the straight. The ultimate winner was piloted by Shailesh Shinde and has more races in store for her. There was considerable betting on the filly Another Glory, but she failed to impress.

The afternoon commenced with Robert Gowli-trained Alondra (Noverre-Maratha Princess/ Sohna Stud) making every post of the upper division of The Dorania Handicap a winning one in the hands of apprentice Hindu Singh. The duo next in betting were Snow White and Conquest and both were disappointments.

The lower division of the same race saw Marilyn (Burden Of Proof – Chilli Girl/ Kunigal Stud) win in virtually the same fashion. The 11/10 public choice from the yard of Farley Rodrigues was piloted by his ‘trusted knight’ and veteran of many battles Surjeet  Singh.

Christopher Gleich-trained Rani Thea (Pinson – Flying Rani/ Nakul Stud) was ridden with superb understanding by Mohit Singh as he waited and watched while Theokoles and Glamorous Glory cut each other’s throats. After Theokoles had taken over the running in the straight, Mohit urged his mount who came with giant strides and drew away for an easy victory.

The curtain came down to an interesting day’s races with Arti Doctor-trained Sole Power (China Visit – Silver Toy/ Usha Stud) winning The Regal Bear Handicap with competent apprentice Ranidan Singh astride. The lad did well not to pocket his mount and though he took the bend a trifle wide, he collared Azienda close home and hoisted the winning flag.