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GLORIOUS EYES CLINCHES SINGAPORE TURF CLUB TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 21 Jan 2016 | MUMBAI


Mr Atul N Amersey & trainer Imtiaz A Sait leading Glorious Eyes (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Singapore Turf Club Trophy

Glorious Eyes (Multidimensional – Glorieuse, Usha Stud) produced a late but dazzling burst to shock favourite Kingston Heath on the last stride to pull off a sensational debut win. It was cruel for Kinston Dream who had done all the work while leading from the front all the way from the start. Coming into the straight, Kingston Heath seemed well in control as neither Eiger’s Tiger nor California Dream looked like troubling the leader. Even when they dashed past the distance post, Kingston Heath was well in front.

Glorious Eyes started his forward surge just then and once she weaved her way between horses and got to the tail of second positioned Eiger’s Tiger, Glorious Eyes produced a sudden burst of speed to nail the favourite a stride before the winning post. The Imtiaz Sait ward was moving way faster than the others including the favourite and Suraj timed his run to perfection to snatch victory at the precise juncture. Eiger’s Tiger did well to end in the money, while California Dream disappointed.

Jockey S Zervan rode out a fine treble on the day. He too started on a sensational note edging out hot favourite Starry Brook in a fighting finish atop Malesh Narredu trained Majestic (Phoenix Tower – Riyasat, Manjri Stud). It was Spades who got past Starry Brook to set a decent pace for the 2000m trip and Starry Brook settled back in second, with Majestic, Oreius and Glorious Opinion following them.  Starry Brook took charge from Spades soon on turning for home. Majestic improved to second and started to gain on Starry Brook. The duo started battling stride for stride past the final furlong, both going hammer and tongs. Zervan rode out hard as did Sandesh atop Starry Brook but the final bob of the head verdict went in favour of Majestic.

Zervan then received a leg up from trainer Pesi Shroff for Zephir (Rebuttal – Zacheta’s girl, Hazara Stud) and boy did he do justice. He kept Zephir off the pace over the nine-furlong trip as Aeolus Maximus led them into the straight.

It was Champagne who made the first move to overhaul a resisting Aeolus Maximus. Zephir arrived with a spirited burst of speed and when he arrived on the scene, the others looked stranded. Zephir sped past the duo in front with ease and bounded forward to score a facile victory.

Zervan perhaps showed a lot more guile and resolve while winning a difficult race astride Sanjay Kolse’s Jazzmyn (China Visit – Serrafina, Usha Stud). Setting off briskly from the gates, Zervan hit the front denying the usually front running Danse Debonaire the early lead and set his own pace over the 1800 m race. While Sumaaq was in the mid-bunch, She Is Special and Sabiq were closer to the rear.

Jazzmyn led them into the straight and soon had She is Special on her haunches. Sumaaq made his bid from the outside and Sabiq too was doing his bit coming from the wider outside. Zervan rode out strongly and kept urging Jazzmyn to kick on. Jazzmyn put up a determined show and galloped on and successfully kept the ever creeping She is special at bay, carving out a narrow victory. Sumaaq held on for the third from the fast finishing Sabiq and the top four ending in a close finish. Jockey A Sandesh scored a double and had he not missed out twice in a close finish, would have been better satisfied.

After losing an agonizing close finish atop Starry Brook, Sandesh scored in the very next race with Cool Runnings (Ace  - Desert Lightening, Exhilaration Stud), which incidentally indiarace had tipped as the day’s best bet. Cool Runnings saw a drift in odds and went out at 15/4 at race time. Relentless Pursuit was backed down heavily and closed at 8/10 on.

Espada had Deccan King for company out in front early on with Cool Runnings, Seacrets, Relentless Pursuit and Daytona in close order. Espada charged ahead soon on turning for home and Deccan King faded out quickly. Sandesh got Cool Runnings going and the Sunderji ward responded instantly to get the measure of Espada. Cool Runnings surged ahead at a good clip and was clear in the final furlong to score comfortably. Relentless Pursuit ran on to beat Espada for the second spot.

Sandesh then guided Aliboxer (Princely Heir – Miss Pukka, Dashmesh Stud) to a maiden win without causing any anxiety to his supporters, winning as a well-backed favourite normally is expected to win. He jumped out well from the outer draw and was right up in front with Speed Magic in tow. Aliboxer shot away from Speed Boxer soon in the straight and then stretched out spiritedly to keep the rest at a safe distance all the way home. Bulldozer did well to take the runner-up slot ahead of Silk Baby and Marcus Aurelius.

Ice Cube Baby (Noverre – Star Decoration, Sohna Stud) staged a remarkable recovery after losing 6-7 lengths at the start. Jockey Trevor can’t do any wrong and when he does he is quick on revival and he proved it with Ice Cube Baby. He nursed the Malesh Narredu trained filly into joining the pack without exerting too much out of her as Scarlet of Hope led them into the straight. Aurelio took charge briefly once they turned for home but was soon passed by Zambian who arrived with a scintillating burst with nearly a furlong and half to go. Zambian looked good to last when Trevor started to alert Ice Cube Baby. They had to switch lanes and Trevor managed that smoothly and when he had the open turf, he pressed on the throttle. Ice Cube Baby returned a red-hot gallop and she stormed past Zambian with alarming ease and mind you, she didn’t have much ground to do it in; that’s what made her victory that much more dramatic.

Trainer SS Shah sent out Good Memory (Oath – So Ravishing, Pratap Stud) to an impressive victory at nourishing odds. Being alert at the jump did the trick for Good Memory and jockey TS Jodha is known to be reliable once he is in the fighting zone. He easily got Good Memory past leader Desert Lily and once in front TS Jodha rode out skill fully. At 200 favourite Acker Bilk posed a stiff challenge and the two fought neck and neck before Good Memory dug deeper and held on to win. Acker Bilk was caught short and had to be content with the second slot. Gyahana came with a long stretch run to finish in the money.

For the professionals, trainers Malesh Narredu and Sanjay Kolse saddled a double each, while jockey Zervan scored a treble and Sandesh a double.