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DENNY CRANE SIZZLES WHILE SCORING AN ENCORE

By mahendra mallya | 29 Dec 2016 | MUMBAI


Trainer P SHROFF LEADING DENNY CRANE (P TREVOR UP) Winner OF The Sir Charles Forbes Trophy

Prime favourite Denny Crane (Arazan – Blue Horizon, Poona Stud) yet again proved too good for his rivals while winning the Sir Charles Forbes Trophy in an impressive fashion. The Pesi Shroff ward defied a heavy impost and won the six-furlong sprint without encountering any danger despite giving chunks of weight to his opponents. He was quickly and led the field of nine all through. Alderly Edge jumped but refused to gallop thereafter. Denny Crane entered the straight with Victorio close behind, Paramour started to improve along with Undisputed, while Sydney Harbour was not finding much after running in third spot until well into the straight.

Denny Crane stepped up the pace and it was clear that neither Paramour nor any other rival would match his speed. Denny Crane, in the hands of P Trevor sizzled in the final furlong and looked the winner long way from home.

Young jockey Yash Narredu marked his return to the track with a scintillating victory, one which perhaps tested his troubled wrist as much as it did his riding skill. It may be recalled that Yash had sustained a terrible fall and had had to fix a steel plate in his wrist and the surgery had kept him away from the saddle for more than three months. He was up on June (Alnasr Alwasheek – Delta Port, Manju Meadows Stud) and was sent out on a start to finish mission.  All looked good as June hit the front and dictated the pace of the race all the way into the straight. Tote favourite Trombone fizzled out soon on turning for home and June was kicking on gamely towards the winning post. Rank outsider Rashun started to bridge the gap and when he drew abreast with June, things looked ominous for the Nirad Karanjawalla trained filly. Rashun even headed June briefly but Yash gave his all in getting June to fight back and claw her way back to snatch a nose verdict on the wire. Yash demonstrated grit and astute saddle artistry to gain the narrow verdict and to do this after a medical layoff is commendable.

The day started off on a positive note for the followers of form with on-money favourite Ladislaus (Varenar – Gavotte, Equus Stud) romping home to an easy victory in the day’s opener. Ladislaus, from Sunderji’s yard, shot into the lead soon on settling down and looked even better on entering the homestretch. He accelerated well and was soon out of bounds for the rest. Brazos followed the winner all the way home and Pretty Angel improved positions to save place money.

Goldie’s Pet (Arazan – Ramjet, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) had shown a good preparedness on her debut earlier this month and was backed with confidence. The Dallas Todywalla trainee obliged his supporters with a glorious performance bringing up her maiden win without much fuss. She jumped out well and darted into the lead with God’s Own in second and the rest not too far away. There was a semblance of a fight brewing when God’s Own attempted to produce a challenge, but Goldie’s Pet thwarted the challenger’s efforts with a sustained gallop to see her through with a length and half to spare. Lady Sergeant did well to finish third while Roosevelt ran a bit green and had an educative run to end fourth.

Sporto (Sedgefield - Moon Flower, Jai Govind Stud) was another one who had indicated to graduate in his next while ending a good third in his last run and duly compiled a maiden win. The prime favourite settled in third and made his move in the straight just as Seacrets had gone into the lead. Sporto galloped strongly and took charge early in the straight. He quickened well and had a handy lead approaching the distance post, but had to be weary of a few from the pack closing in rapidly. Sporto who had the skills of jockey Sandesh to assist him, stayed ahead and managed to ward off the late finishing Ice Angel, the latter getting past Dubrovnik for the runner up berth.

The connections of Power Shadow had to endure the agony of seeing the race taken away in the stewards’ room. Power Shadow, with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle had powered his way to the front and galloped on to win the race. In the process, he had shifted in and out a couple of times. CS Jodha ridden Glorious Angel (Ace – Lindsay, Poonawalla Stud) had to switch lanes and also in the last 150 meters had to be checked due to Power Shadow’s veering in. Power Shadow won the race, but Glorious Eyes was seen catching up after the check as well. An objection ensued and the stewards did see merit in CS Jodha’s complaint. After due deliberations, the stewards upheld the objection and awarded the race to the Altaf Hussain trained filly Glorious Angel, who on hind sight was hampered for a clear run by Power Shadow.

Malesh Narredu trained The Big Revival (Phoenix Tower – Zealous Cat, Manjri Stud) lived up to his name, while powering his way to his maiden win. After a series of ordinary runs, The Big Revival had shown some spark in his last run and he built on that to revive his graph curve, scoring a much needed win.

Generous Lady brought the field into the straight but was soon tackled by Zion and Tennessee. The Big Revival, ridden by apprentice Vishal Bunde started to close in on the front runners rapidly improving on the outside. Top Wizard got hemmed in on the rails and lost crucial seconds in wriggling free. Tennessee fought on but The Big Revival was certainly travelling the best of the lot. Top Wizard ran on to snatch the second spot and had it not been for that traffic issues, Top Wizard would have surely finished closer to the winner.

For the professionals, jockeys A Sandesh and P Trevor scored a double each.