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IMPRESSIVE GOLD BAG STRETCHES WINNING STREAK

By Mahendra Mallya | 24 Oct 2015 | PUNE


Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha leading Gold Bag (D S Daman Up), winner of The Delhi Race Club Trophy

Gold Bag (Sedgefield – Blue Jay, Jai Govind Stud) marched on with her successive run of victories and yet again put in a scorching performance to dismiss the opposition with complete authority. Settling down just behind Victorious March, Gold Bag with apprentice Daman in the saddle surged ahead smoothly the moment they turned for home. Daman had little to do as Gold Bag confidently shot ahead still on a tight rein. She accelerated approaching the distance post and looked the winner long way from home. Ladybird was being ridden out, yet could not even reduce the margin. Providence came with a late dash to finish in the money. This was Gold Bag’s fourth win in as many starts in Pune, following her back to back wins in Mumbai, making it six in a row between the two centres. Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha deserves high appreciation in keeping the filly in such fine fettle right through.

Altus (Hymn – Star Alydar, Jai Govind Stud) trained by Magan Singh Jodha, earned her winning bracket on her second start. She improved considerably on her debut fourth and dished out a clinical performance in the hands of jockey J Chinoy who too has shown good form this season.

Hitting the front soon at start, Altus galloped at a comfortable pace with Aamerican Agatta and Anastasio close behind. On straightening up, Altus sped ahead and with jockey Joy Chinoy urging her on, she stretched out nicely to score a facile win. Anastasio found one better while Aamerican Agatta ended a tame third.

Jockey P Trevor remained stuck on 49 wins for the season, after equalling Malesh Narredu’s record tally last week. He drew a blank on Saturday and would be hoping to break this Pune record and rewrite his own. The star of the day was Dashrath Singh, scoring three victories in a row, two of which were fought down to the wire.

Seahorse (Multidimensional – Sea Value, Usha Stud) finally managed to carve out a long awaited win. The on money favourite had to fight every inch of the ground in the final furlong to thwart the determined resistance put up by Heather. Leading right from the start, Heather entered the homestretch with Seahorse on the tail. Grande Vitesse and She is Special were a couple of lengths behind, but neither could put up a sustained gallop. The fight was on only between the two in front.

Seahorse caught up with Heather but the latter, with NS Parmar astride, never surrendered. Seahorse nosed ahead in the final furlong but Dashrath had to put all his skills to use to urge Seahorse on and score a narrow win in a photo finish. Lavender Blue arrived with an eye-catching run to end a close third.

Dashrath then partnered debutante Dragon of War (Phoenix Tower – Merwaha, Manjri Stud) to a similarly thrilling win only this time he was in front and had to fight to stay in front. Dragon of War was quickest out and surged into the early lead with Saffire Song and Siobhan a couple of lengths away. Night of Fury could not find the top gear and ended up with an educative run.

Into the straight, Dragon of War and Siobhan were well ahead of the rest. They fought stride for stride and with a 100 to go, Siobhan seemed to be finishing on better as she was gaining on the leader. However, Dragon of War kept it going and managed to hold on to make her debut a memorable one.

Dashrath Singh’s third win came atop Remember the Time (Varenar – Zariyba, Equus Stud). While Uncle Scrooge received overwhelming support pushing Shooting Star to second in demand, Remember The Time was available at nourishing odds.

Miss Mystique led he bunch into the straight with Uncle Scrooge prominently poised in second. Tennessee was next with about 300 to go. Remember the Time came with a scorching gallop to easily get past them all and draw away. Shooting Star did not get a clean run and to be checked at a crucial stage just before the bend. That certainly would have marred his rhythm and considering he was on his first outing, he did well to skirt around horses and take the runner-up spot. Uncle Scrooge flattered to deceive as he failed to quicken after being in a good position for the final run-in.

Oreius (Chevalier – Romantic Quest, Ruia Stud) was another maiden to score a fluent victory. The well-backed favourite gave his supporters no anxious moments as he quickened well in the straight to romp home in style. It didn’t seem easy as Oreius was languishing too far away from the action in front for the major part of the race. Kiss The Star led them into the homestretch and soon was hauled by Devoted and Midnight Romance. Devoted galloped on to take charge with Midnight
Romance showing some fight. Oreius then arrived with a booming run to speed past the fighting duo and drew away to win with surprising ease with apprentice Ajinkya in the saddle. Midnight Romance surged past Devoted to take the second spot. Super Bolt showed some signs of form in finishing fourth.

Rehanullah Khan’s Daishonin (Kingda Ka – Sonatina, Nanoli Sud) pulled off a remarkable win and Sandesh rode him ably. He was well off the pace and cramped for room all through until well into the straight. Danse Deboniare and Savage Garden were at the helm turning for home with Argyle Pink, Dazzle N Daze, favourite Huracan and Birkenhead were all scampering together. Daishonin was closest to the inner rails and biding his time. He received a check too. However, once he got that opening, Daishonin shot through the rails and surged past them all to bring about a well-earned victory. Savage Garden ended second edging out Danse Deboniare narrowly.

Hormuz Antia chipped in with a lucrative winner in the day’s concluding race with Wind And Stars (Noverre – Pearl Moon, Sohna Stud). Wind And Stars jumped out smartly and apprentice Akshay Gaikwad took her to the front smoothly. Favourite Few Dollars More and Scarlet of Hope were in chase as they turned for home. Few Dollars More tried hard to make a race of it, but Wind And Stars got stronger in the homestretch and surged further ahead giving no hope to the favourite or the rest. Wind and Stars kicked on gamely to notch up a comfortable win with a lot to spare. Few Dollars More ended a tame second; Mohegun Sun did well to finish in the money.

The day began to the bookies’ delight as two rank outsiders came to the fore beating well-fancied runners. In the first race Glorious Regime (Gaswar – Minetta, Lingwood Stud) got going in the straight to shock favourite Zabrok. Jockey SJ Sunil pushed Glorious Regime further and further away in the homestretch to be well out of reach in the final furlong. Zabrok put in a chase, but it was a futile one.  Royal Wish laboured on to take the third spot.

In the next race, Cool Runnings (Ace – Desert Lightening, Exhilaration Stud) denied on money favourite Imperial Princess a victory with a dazzling stretch-run. Cool Runnings took charge early in the straight and had Imperial Princess breathing down his neck in the final furlong. Jockey Vikram Jodha rode out persistently to cause an upset. Imperial Princess and Locarno finished close behind to take the minor spots.

For the professionals, trainer Sunderji saddled a double, Dashrath Singh scored a fine treble.