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DETERMINED AZZURRO CLINCHES CN WADIA GOLD CUP

By Mahendra Mallya | 13 Mar 2016 | MUMBAI


Trainer SS Attaollahi leading Azzurro (P Trevor Up), winner of The C. N. Wadia Gold Cup (Gr.2)

The ‘Wadia Day’ commemorating Sir Wadia’s tremendous contribution to the RWITC has its usual glamour and entertainment quotient as usual. Wonderful performance by eager minors is always enjoyable and the day was one of fun and frolic off the track as well.

ON the turf, Kunigal Stud bred Azzurro (Azamour – Highjinks) put up a spirited performance downing local favourite Colombiana with ease. The mile and half long race started a sedate pace initially but picked up soon. It ought to be mentioned here that Booker Jones was threatening to veer out of the race past the 2000m mark, however, jockey Joy Chinoy did well not only to rein him in but also move on ahead to take over the running and settled him to dictate the pace.

The Unicorn made the first move once they turned for home and no sooner he led the field, Azzurro with Trevor astride pounced on the new leader and shot ahead. Favourite Colombiana had to be switched out to make his bid, but by then Azzurro had amassed a handy lead. Azzurro sped ahead galloping at a good clip and Trevor had the luxury to ease him up for the last few strides. Colombiana had to be content with the runner-up berth. Booker Jones fought back to snatch the third place from the Unicorn. An Acquired Taste looked woefully out of touch and ended a poor last.

Ageless (Arazan – Lindsay, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) got back into the groove with a dashing performance to land the spoils for the Mulraj Goculdas Trophy, a six-furlong sprint for horses in the top class. Zander looked good coming into the straight and favourite Maleficent never looked prominent. Ageless moved up to be one behind Zander with the others struggling to catch up. Rule Downunder was far too late in his final spurt to the finish but he did cut the margin rapidly towards the end. However, Ageless, trained by Dallas Todywalla and ridden by Trevor, ruled the final furlong to win handsomely from Zander and Rule Downunder.

The day started with the first two races for maidens and both races had two strongly fancied runners. Bezan Chenoy trained Kingston Heath (Rebuttal – Celtic Manor, Hazara Stud) who was the ante post favourite saw Negara pushing him to the next-in-demand status with a lot of support pouring in at race time. However, Kingston Heath proved the trends wrong displaying fine rhythm with Dashrath Singh in the saddle, to win the Nadia Mary Homi Wadia Trophy drawing away by nearly five lengths. Negara returned a tame second ahead of Riot of Colours. 

In the second race, The R Kohla Trophy, Artificial and Temerity (Intense Focus – Narmina, Nanoli Stud) from Pesi Shroff’s stables, also had an easy victory. Jockey Neeraj Rawal eased Temerity into the lead on settling down and didn’t need to do much after that. Temerity picked up speed on turning for home and within split seconds galloped away to make it a no-contest. She traveled smoothly and soon set off, lengthening her strides and adding distance between herself and her opponents. She sailed clear and encountered no challenge while winning her maiden race sparing more than eight lengths at the wire. Imperial Heritage ran on to finish second ahead of Pugnacious. Artificial never was in content and ended a tame fourth.

B Prakash trained Severus (Cockney Rebel – Love emerald, Nanoli Stud) won the Jayaramdas Patel Gold Trophy warding off the late finishing Uncle Scrooge in a close finish. Both Uncle Scrooge and Severus held the last two positions all the way until the final turn.

Danse Debonaire led them into the straight and soon Joss slipped in from the rails to post a challenge. AS these two were jostling it out, Sans Peur joined in the fight. Severus soon started to cover ground and was right up with the front bunch past the distance post. Severus not only got past the trio in front with ease, but also had enough cushion to hold the fastest finishing Uncle Scrooge to nose the wire in time and carve out a narrow win. It was a thrilling one-two for the Shirke camp with jockey Suraj Narredu ensuring that the first favourite was not toppled by the owner-mate.

Via Amoris (Royal Gladiator – Callisto, Pratap Stud) was ably ridden by Trevor as he skillfully maneuvered his way between horses from the last position at the turn to strike it rich in the final furlong. Abigail led them into the straight and was travelling well. Rock the Turf could not find his last run blaze netiher did Excelonce. Eternal Royalty too was not finding that extra gear and was never threatening. Via Amoris burst on the scene with a sparkling run and shot past them all to return triumphant. Abigail ended a good second with Eternal Royalty ending third yet again.  

Few Dollars More (Chinese Whisper – Sea Spray, Tohana Stud) was guided splendidly by jockey Yash Narredu as his patience staying on the rails paid rich dividends. Joleene brought them into the straight, with Dramarama closing in from the outside. Final Encounter too was hard at work and they were galloping towards the winning post. Few Dollars More moved smoothly along the rails and when she got the opening, she made a run for it and stretched out fluently to score a facile win. Dramarama ended a good second and is one to note. Final Encounter finished in the money ahead of Beach Game.

Evidence (Burden of Proof – Flamingo Fan, Kunigal Stud) showed tremendous improvement and was battle ready this time. Spear of Trium guided them homewards before fading out. Phoenix Knight looked good as the hit past the distance post, which is when Evidence started galloping resolutely. Evidence, trained by Pesi Shroff, got past Phoenix Knight to storm ahead. Aliboxer improved in the final furlong to finish a close third.

Speed of Sound once again let her followers down losing out to first timer Merabella (Desert Style – Darayka, Hazara Stud). The Faisal Abbas trained debutante galloped with determination to come from behind and zip past the front runners. Way Ahead looked good in the first half of the homestretch and Speed of Sound was hard ridden to stay in contention. However, when Merabella arrived with jockey TS Jodha on board, the others looked pale. Merabella stormed ahead with a good turn of foot to win comfortably from Way Ahead and Speed of Sound.

For the professionals, jockey P Trevor had a fruitful day with a treble. Pesi Shroff was the lone trainer to saddle a double.