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PROSERPINE WINS AIR FORCE TROPHY IN A THRILLER

By Ikram Khan | 05 Nov 2016 | BANGALORE


Trainer Neil Darashah leading Proserpine (A Sandesh Up), winner of The Air Force Trophy

The leading saddle artiste, Sandesh who was hugely disappointed after he lost the Mysore Derby on the public rage Serjeant At Arms is back doing what he does best, consistently booting home winners and the superb treble he recorded on Saturday will help the top Mumbai pro forget the big Mysore debacle.

Astride the lesser fancied Ambitious Reward in the Kalinadi Plate run over a mile, Sandesh riding like one possessed packed punch on the Lokanath ward to edge out rankoutsider Mickey Mouse who after racing like a scalded cat for most part of the journey looked set to score before Sandesh drove Ambitious Reward home. Advantageously placed in at the scales, Jersey Wonder from trainer Prasanna Kumar’s yard partnered by the Mysore champion rider Prashanth Dhebe was the favourite but all that the public choice could do was finish a tame third  making it clear that he lacks the ability  to make his presence felt in this class.

Next on the Khusroo Dhunjibhoy owned Proserpine and Ambelside , both from Neil Darashah’s yard, it appeared that Sandesh just wanted to pay back the owners after his loss on the `Serjeant’ producing exemplary efforts which saw the knowledgeable stand up and applaud the pocket dynamite.

On Proserpine competing in the Air Force Trophy, the plum event run over a distance of seven furlongs, Sandesh was simply was at his best. Locked in a ding-dong battle with the favourite Fire Glow piloted by Imran Khan, Sandesh pulled out all stops in the final two furlongs to gain the day at the shadow of the winning post. The runner-up, it must be mentioned was not disgraced in defeat and lives to fight another day.

Back partnering Ambelside who was strongly fancied by the Neil camp in the Malaprabha Plate, Sandesh played the waiting game before he timed his final challenge to a nicety.  The Arvind Ganapathy schooled Majestic Style in his effort to make every post a winning one looked good to finish home first before Sandesh setalight the Neil ward and the game filly responding gamely to her master’s call produced a fine turn of foot to the delight of the followers of form. Majestic Style finished second and that effectively meant that Arvind Ganapathy needs to wait before he makes another attempt to break the ice. Only Princess finished third after raising hopes at the top of the straight. The filly from Dominic’s yard is struggling over seven furlongs and her connections will be rewarded if they provide her the opportunity over a sprint.    

The Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Captain Morgan resumed his winning ways in the principal added attraction, the Madras Race Club Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The favourite after a brief duel with Antananrivo put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The topweighted Royal Sceptre was seen finishing on well and it will pay to follow this talented Neil ward when next saddled.  Now that Captain Morgan is back in the winners’ circle his progress is certain to evoke interest this winter.

The fact that African Emperor was back after a long 11-month lay-off failed to put brakes on the big punters who punted big on this Sulaiman ward and the winner justified the confidence of his supporters providing jockey Ryan Marshall an arm-chair ride to success in the upper division of the Master Key Plate run over a sprint. African Emperor is in fine form and it will pay to follow and support this `Emperor’ till he is defeated and that want happen in a hurry. For the record, Flirting Eyes finished second but Bluebird is one who caught the eye and is one for the notebook, finishing an unextended fourth.

Earlier, the well-backed High Profile from trainer Sirajuddin’s yard came up trumps in the Agumbe Plate. The winner piloted by Imran Khan seized the initiative in the final furlong before powering through to score in convincing fashion.  Atlantic City finished second suggesting that this five-year-old from Amit Caddy’s stable will not stay long in the lowest class.  New Era, it was clear was not seriously in the hunt and it will pay to keep an eye on this Arshad ward.

Suraj Narredu, like he did on Friday, won the opening event again but this time he guided home his brother’s ward Royal Serenity who despite shifting out at a crucial stage proved too good for her 10 rivals in the lower division of the Master Key Plate. The favourite Daisy Duke from Irfan Ghatala’s yard who landed a big coup on Watchmyscript on the opening day finished second ahead of Mayweather who appears to have improved most and is ready to earn his cornbill in his next essay.

The final event, the Trombay Plate saw the Prithviraj-trained Fotogenic and Opening Act start favourites before big money started pouring in on the topweighted Firing Line from trainer Hidayat Khan’s yard.  But none of the three top fancies obliged. The eight to one shot Goodwill Warrior from trainer Sriram Komandur’s yard gained the day in the hands of apprentice jockey Rayan Ahmed edging out Fotogenic in a thriller.