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AIRCO SCORES THUMPING WIN, BAGS MYSTICAL TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 01 Dec 2016 | MUMBAI


Trainer Imtiaz A Sait leading Airco (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Mystical Trophy

Airco (Arabian Gulf - Sandslash, Manjri Stud) had it easy in the Mystical Trophy, a mile race for Class I horses. The 10 to 6 on favourite ambled along in third as The Ministerian led them from the start until into the straight. Airco moved up smoothly at the final turn and was travelling beautifully coming into the straight. Jockey Suraj Narredu set off with Airco and the Imtiaz Sait ward devoured ground majestically and stormed ahead to win by a widening margin. Shadowfax had to fight Mountbatten off for the runner-up slot.

Long-shot Celtic Prince (Dancing Forever - Celtic Memories, Hazara Stud) put in a spirited fight to cause an upset while winning the Mayor's Trophy. Trained by Waheed, Celtic Prince was up with the pace settling right behind leader Courtship all the way into the straight. Anvil Star moved up past the 800 to gallop alongside favourite Rosella with Magical Memories and Flashy Wings huddled together.

Courtship went out of gas as Celtic Prince got past the leader with ease. jockey J Chinoy went out aggressively and soon built a handy lead. Anvil Star too faded out badly. Flashy Wings slipped through the rails while Rosella was warming up with Magical Memories fighting hard to stay in contention.

Jockey J Chinoy had Celtic Prince galloping on at a good clip and was up to the challenge posed by Rosella who arrived with a fast gallop to make a fight of it. Celtic Prince always had the upper hand and managed to keep Rosella at bay to clinch the Mayor's Trophy in a hard fought finish.

Trainer Rehanullah Khan sent out a smart double with both highland Breeze and Hedwig backed with conviction to win. Two other runners from Rehan's stables went down fighting else Rehan would have a field day.

Highland Breeze (Ace - Fervent Wish, Villoo's Greenfield Farm) pulled off a neat start to finish victory beating arch rival Bullrun to second by a margin! Jockey Sandesh shot into the lead soon on start and dictated the pace right through, with Bullrun, Caesars Star and Zazou behind.

Once they turned for home,  Highland Breeze went about his business clinically, marching on ahead and letting none of his rivals get even close  to him. Bullrun tried hard to make a race of it, but found the winner just too good. Highland Breeze won by more than 5 lengths and looked good for more to come. He had plenty in the tank and over longer trips too can add to his win tally.

Rehan's Hedwig (Dark Angel - Watch, Sans Craintes Stud) was made to battle harder as popular choice House of Commons was lurking around far too close. Hedwig shot out of the gates and matched strides with Lucky Strike early on until the straight, with House of Commons brushing up to be a close third at the turn.

House of Commons even headed Hedwig on turning for home, but Hedwig was not one to cave in. Jockey SJ Sunil was up to the task and he egged the Rehan trainee on to wrest back the advantage. The pair fought hard in the final furlong, however, Hedwig finished on better and surged ahead at the wire to score by a length and a half. 

Glorious Hymn (Ace - Messalina, Exhilaration Stud) was another fluke of the day and the Dallas Todywalla trained filly, who was knocking on the door while finishing second in her last two runs in Pune, was a lot more determined to achieve her maiden success.

Settling in the third spot as Sweep Aside took over the early running pushing back Trombone to second, Glorious Hymn was hard held until the turn. Irises was next on the outside just ahead of Normandy.

Jockey SJ Sunil is gaining in confidence and has been in good touch this season. He went for the lead early in the straight and the gutsy move paid off despite the long Mumbai straight. Glorious Hymn picked up momentum and dashed forward past Trombone who too was making his presence felt approaching the distance post. Irises was beaten while Normandy was rallying close behind. In the final 100, Glorious Hymn quickened nicely to charge ahead and outpace Normandy and the others to post her maiden victory in style. Normandy looked a notch better than in Pune and ended second ahead of Trombone. Simon Says showed a bit of spark to figure in the frame.

Monte Greco (Canford Cliffs - idealistic, Highgrove Stud) put in a sensational finish to win his second on the trot, opening this season's campaign with an assertive win, coming from the second last position to finish with a flourish.

Phoenix Knight led them into the straight as he took charge getting past early leader Zarahzan. Soon Stardom Calling started to bridge the gap and challenge the new leader. Minstrel Heights too was right with them and a close finish was on the cards. Just as the three were battling it out, Monte Greco maneuvered his way between horses and slipped through the inner railings to force his way past Phoenix Knight and score a thrilling victory. Stardom Calling ended a close third.

Bay Of Love (Noverre - Livardi, Bhaktawar Stud) pulled off a successful start to finish win to subdue Asahi after a long-drawn battle. Starting off well and leading them into the straight, Bay of Love with five-kilo claimer Nazeem in the saddle kicked on gamely, leaving it to the others to chase him down. Asahi improved along the rails and then switched lanes to come up with a stiff challenge.

The duo battled out the homestretch but bay Of Love remained stubbornly in command to hold off Asahi, who had Sandesh in the saddle. Sandesh later lodged an unsuccessful objection citing that the winner had taken him out and made contact with him twice, at 200 and then again with 20 meters to go. The objection was duly overruled.

Miss Saigon (Rock of Gibraltar - Lothian Lass, Highgrove Stud) once again rose from the mid-pack to carve out a narrow win in the concluding race of the Evening races. Slam Dunk led the field into the straight with Ridgewood Star close behind, Miss Saigon arrived with a speedy run to be among the fighting line and in the last 100 meters shot ahead to beat Safdar and Slam Dunk to score her second win from one start each in Pune and now here at Mumbai. Pierce Arrow came from a long way back to take the fourth.

For the professionals, trainer Rehanullah Khan saddled a double, while jockey SJ Sunil scored a double.