After a long time leading pro Suraj Narredu recorded a treble including a power packed victory on the Irfan Ghatala schooled Toroloco in the Stayers Trial Stakes, snuffing out the determined challenge of the on-money favourite Azzurro piloted by Trevor Patel by the shortest of margins.

It was not that Suraj was firing blanks. He was picking up a race or two at his parent centre, Bengaluru and Mumbai but when compared with the two other leading pros, Trevor Patel and Pradeep Chouhan, his strike rate was down. Trevor who is the darling of the racing buffs, both at Mumbai and Bengaluru and Chouhan who has struck a purple patch after joining Pesi Shroff’s yard in Mumbai are consistently booting home winners at all premier centres and following Trevor has paid off for most big bettors who continue to pin their hopes on the top youngster while the young `Knight’ maintains his winning streak.

In the Stayers Trial Stakes, Azzurro was backed to the exclusion of his four rivals despite the fact that Toroloco was in with a decent chance to upset the public choice. Trevor followed the nohoper Ancient Title all through the mile-and-half trip before he streaked ahead only to find Suraj astride Toroloco joining in and posing a definite threat. The two then were locked in a ding-dong battle before Suraj and Toroloco gained the day much to the disappointment of all the big bettors.

Earlier Suraj booted home the five to one shot Born Phoenix in the opening event, the lower division of the Forever Elegance Plate. The favourite Livin’ On A Prayer continues to live only on a prayer while Astral Spirit needs to be exploited over longer distances and not over sprint dashes which is not this filly’s cup of tea.

In the next event, Suraj astride his younger brother Rajesh Narredu’s charge, Fantasy Queen competing in the Lalithmahal Plate run over a mile had  it easy romping home ahead of Kings Kid and Spiritual Act. The former is maintaining his fitness and it will not be long before this Sirajuddin ward earns his cornbill.

Like Suraj, Rashid Byramji after a while registered a double through the well fancied Sagrada and the 20 to one long shot Triumph. The latter after gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the sprint trip in the upper division of the Racing Patrons Trophy produced an astounding gallop in the hands of Ryan Marshall to beat Nimfea close home.  Castle Stuart nosed out Jersey Shore for the third place. Topspot and the top fancy Super Queen performed below par.

Sagrada on the strength of his second behind Aayan in his last essay garnered the maximum support in the Ilkal Plate run over a mile and the pubic choice proved too good, producing a sparkling gallop at the distance post to put the issue beyond doubt a furlong from home. Sagrada is in rousing form and is set to provide an encore.

 The lower division of the Racing Patrons Trophy produced another fire to the wire finish, lesser fancied German Guide piloted by Chouhan edging out Capitalize at the shadow of the winning post. German Guide in fact did not get a clear run till inside the final 100 metres but once the jockey managed to work his way, the progeny of Lord Admiral responded brilliantly and nailed the favourite on the post to win by the proverbial whisker.

The Dominic schooled Justice Angel looked a picture of fitness at the paddock parade. It was clear that the trainer was taking no chances and had sent the good looking daughter of Arazan spot on for her debut in the Becket Plate. The ‘Angel’ hit the front soon after the eight juveniles came under the starter’s flag and easily recorded a pillar to post victory. Love For Life from Satish Narredu’s yard finished second ahead of La Donna who appeared a trifle heavy and it will pay to follow this Darius Byramji filly when next saddled.

In the final event The Amit Caddy-trained Amalfi Coast was touted as a roof top bet. The favourite attracted big support but only managed too take all the good and big money down the drain, forget winning, not only finishing in place. The seven to one shot Private Paradise from Prasanna Kumar’s yard bolted in  the hands of Imran Khan. Southern Command from Sharath’s yard who had finished last in his last essay, finishing more than 15 to 20 lengths of the winner now took the second spot ahead of Neymar while Wise Guy who had finished a game second in his last effort took the fourth spot despite not being in the hunt all through the 1100 metres trip.  

Well it is time the authorities start conducting the sport more seriously and exercise strict vigil. Southern Command is a case of a bib big improvement in form which is just  not possible in any sport and with any athlete and Vivek just not allowing Wise Guy a fair chance to make a race of it.

Earlier Sriram Komandur who led in  Born Phoenix in the opening event recorded a rich double through Goodwill Warrior in the upper division of the Brahmaputra Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner shot ahead in the hands of apprentice jockey Sunil Samson and never let the initiative slip. Hector finished second ahead of the Mahesh-trained favourite Rapid Advance who was seen finishing on well after the `Warrior’ had taken command.

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Western Union recorded his maiden win after eight starts  in the  lower division of the race. Leading pro John needed to really work hard on the winner to beat Private Party. Passion Flora took the third spot ahead of Croziet.