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QUASAR DOMINATES THE TURF YET AGAIN

By Mahendra Mallya | 06 Dec 2015 | MUMBAI


MR Jaydev M Mody leading Quasar (Yash Narredu Up), winner of The Deltin Stayers' Challenge

The IGCC race day had a good turn out and action both on and off the track was hectic as always seen during the Christmas fest. Amidst the festivities, the RWITC once again remembered Dr MAM Ramaswamy and two of the most respected former Chairmen Dr SC Jain and Dr Cyrus Poonawalla recalled their personal memories they cherished with turf baron. “I shared a family relationship with Ramu,” said Dr Jain. “I can never forget the moments we shared and the ‘dosas’ he used to treat us with whenever we had visited his residence. There are too many fond memories and it is hard to take such a loss. His achievements and record will stand for a lifetime. I pray for his soul,” concluded Dr Jain, the sorrow in his voice clearly evident.

“We go back several decades, Ramu and I,” began Dr CS Poonawalla. “He was 20-something when I met him and we hit it off immediately. That he had a sharp eye for horses is a well known fact and his record of 600 Classic conquests will stay on for eternity. To make up for his busy schedule, he would wake up in the wee hours, just to take stock of his horses on a daily basis. Horses were his closest passion and the man devoted hours every day to follow the sport at every racing centre. Such devotion is rare and admirable. In Ramu’s passin away, I have personally lost a good friend,” concluded Dr Cyrus Poonawalla.

ON the racing front, for Quasar (Seeking the Dia – Belle Jour, Hazara Stud), it was another day at the office. The Malesh Narredu trained colt, won without fuss with Yash Narredu doing a neat job of guiding him home.

The pace was not the quickest as they got out of the gates, with Shivalik Showers going into action. Snowing followed the leader with Quasar and Azzurro close behind with Highlander and Rodeo at the tail. They went about the journey in that order until the turn.

Shivalik Showers and Snowing were soon ridden out aggressively with Quasar lurking in third. Yash showed him the path between the two in front and Quasar arrived smoothly to take charge past the 400. He was fluent in his gallop and Yash just had to step lightly on the pedal. Quasar darted ahead to to seal it in a polished manner. Azzurro went all out after Quasar and the efforts of the two jockeys were indeed contrasting. Yash and Quasar won easing up never threatened at any stage. Thanks to that, Azzurro got closer to finish just over a length behind one of the top thoroughbreds in the country. Shivalik Showers held on to the third place, warding off Highlander.

Quasar took his career earnings past the Rs 5.75 Crore mark and is now the richest thoroughbred in the land. He took his tally to 14 wins from 19 starts, with two seconds as many thirds and fourth place once, he has never failed to figure on the judge’s frame ever. Of his 14 wins, only three have come in Mumbai and eleven spread across Pune (3/3), Kolkota (2/2), Bangalore (3/4) and Hyderabad (3/3). Truly a versatile horse and currently, in a league of his own!

Dancing Phoenix (Phoenix Tower – All Dancing, Manjri Stud) this time not only sustained his start to finish essay all the way, but also shattered the course record clocking 57.67 beating Way Out’s 57.70. Ironically Way Out finished last this time.

The Dallas Todywalla charge shot into the lead in his customary fashion and once they turned for home, he quickened nicely working up a terrific gallop. Brynhill kept up the pressure following him closely all the way into the final furlong. Gold Bag, who had made winning her habit, tried desperately to make a fight of it, but jockey Sandesh made certain that there were no last stride blushes. Dancing Phoenix galloped relentlessly to steer clear and the win was as handsome as his looks. Gold Bag managed to pip Brynhill for the second spot.

Jockey Dashrath Singh was the pro star of the day lining up three wins. He began with rookie Allora (China Visit – Serrafina, Usha Stud) who made a smashing debut with a inspiring display of speed and maturity. The Sanjay Kolse filly was alert at the jump and shot into the lead working up a nippy pace. Comic Timing, Never Say No followed the leader a couple of lengths behind, with the on-money favourite Hasta La Vista in the last position due to a tardy start.

Once into the straight, Allora increased the tempo and marched on ahead. Never Say No was second briefly, but Comic Timing wrested her position back although she found the winner too hot to handle. Allora won by a street and showed a lot of promise.

Dashrath then partnered Alderley Edge (Oath – X Factor, Pratap Stud) to a smart win warding off a dual challenge from Bramhachari first and then Melinda closer to the finish. However, he never looked seriously threatened.

Dashrath and Alderley Edge were off to a quick start and soon had a handy lead approaching the turn. Bramhachari was second followed closely by Melinda and Rule Downunder.

Into the straight, Alderley Edge did show any sign of slowing down and made them all run. Bramhachari reached up the tail of Alderley Edge but could not find more to get alongside. Melinda too was ridden all out and although she was in striking distance, all that he could do was pip Bramhachari for the second spot. Trainer S Waheed had tuned Alderley Edge perfectly and the gelding showed encouraging improvement over his last run to score a stylish victory.

Remember The Time (Varenar – Zariyba, Equus Stud) struck form while finishing on a winning note and he carried that form to oblige in his season’s opening run. Not the quickest out, Dashrath nursed Remember the Time to steadily improve positions and by the time they turned for home, they were right behind the leader.

Remember the Time strode out majestically to go sailing into the lead. Few Dollars More began to chase from the wider out, Replica was improving too, but not as quickly as the situation demanded. In the final furlong, Remember the Time had a good gallop going and also enjoyed a decisive lead. Dashrath peeped over to have a look and then eased Remember the Time when he saw Few Dollars More was never in the range. Replica arrived to pip Streetjammer for the place money.

Nirad Karanjawalla trained Sindbaad (Burden of Proof – Chiliandrina, Kunigal Stud) stood up to the challenge of the long Mumbai straight while successfully pulling of a start to finish mission. He was off quickly and grabbed the lead as they ran in a tight huddle.

Sindbaad entered the straight with the rest flexing their muscles, threatening to take him on anytime. First it was favourite Hunt for Heads who moved menacingly close to Sindbaad from the outside and as they were fighting hard, Vasco Da Gama tried to slip in through the rails. It was a three-way battle for a few strides, but it then got closer between Sindbaad and Vasco Da Gama. However, Sindbaad with Zervan on top, Surged ahead in the last couple of strides to ward off Vasco Da Gama and win a hard fought race from Vasco a Gama and Hunt For Heads.

Marvel (Multidimensional – Psychic Light, Usha Stud) was ably ridden by DK Ashish as he pulled her from the mid bunch to be a handy third at the turn. Zafira led them in with Charging Empress ready to pounce. Marvel too was improving all the time. Midnight Romance threw in his hat and Pracs too was making his presence felt as they were making a scramble for the winning post.

Marvel put in a steady finish to stay ahead when Midnight Romance got past Charging Empress and Royal Wish. They fought briefly before Marvel accelerated and made a dash for the winning post. Midnight romance ended a good second with Pracs taking in the place stakes.

The last race stumped them all as Captain Abdon (Sedgefield – Maybac, Equus Stud) struck like a bolt from the blue at 25/1. Kandinsky came through from the rear of the mid bunch to be prominent fourth coming into the homestretch. Peppercorn was fighting losing battle once he brought them in. Schiehaillon failed to sparkle after taking the lead very briefly and then faded out of the scene.  Kandinsky arrived with a promising gallop and managed to get past them all, however, Captain Abdon, who was on the tail of Kandinsky, warmed up nicely at the right time to surge past Kandinsky and score his maiden win on his 10th start with surprising ease. Cool Runnings ended in the money.

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