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ST ANDREWS GALLOPS AWAY TO WIN AMAZING GRACE TROPHY

By mahendra mallya | 19 Aug 2017 | PUNE


Trainer Bezan Chenoy leading St Andrews (A Imran Khan Up), winner of The Amazing Grace Trophy

Bezan Chenoy trained St Andrews (Phoenix Tower – Machrihanish, Manjri Stud) galloped fluently from start to finish to clinch the Amazing Grace Trophy with expected ease. The even-money favourite was quick at start and even headed the speedy Brynhill to the lead the small field of five all the way home. Brynhill and Harvey were right on the heels of St Andrews most of the way but found the winners dash in the homestretch a little too hard to match. St Andrews blazed away once they turned for home and although he won by just over a length, he always looked in command all through. Brynhill did close in in the final furlong, but his effort was only good enough to peg back Harvey and take the runner-up slot.

God’s Own (Diffident – Winged Light, Yerevada Stud) provided another display of his speed with yet another start-to-finish victory, his second in as many starts this season. While Oracle and Heroine garnered most of the support, God’s Own was there for the taking at nourishing odds. The Narendra Lagad ward flew out of the gates just as he did in his last victorious run and blazed ahead after a brief tussle for the early lead with Oracle. Heroine joined the pair past the 600 and te crowd braced up for keen finish.

God’s Own was driven ahead by jockey Dashrath Singh soon on turning for home and built a handy lead. Heroine was taking her time to warm up and Trevor was doing his all to get her going. Oracle didn’t look threatening at any stage and his first taste of defeat was inevitable midway in the straight. God’s Own galloped resolutely and even a late charge by Heroine made little impact on the winner.

Simon Says (Ikhtyar – Venus Arising, Nanoli Stud) was another one who notched a consecutive second win this season. Building on his last start victory over a mile, Simon Says did extremely well to arrive with a strong finish over the mile and quarter trip to down favourite Lord of the Seas with a measure of comfort. Lord of the Seas was shaping well after leading the pack all the way into the straight. Vulcan, who was backed confidently in the ring, failed to live up to expectations and faded away early in the straight. That made it look easy for Lord of the Sea, but a late assault from Sandesh ridden Simon Says was indeed too hot to handle for Lord of the Sea. Simon Says dominated the final few strides to score an impressive victory.

Sandesh pulled off a double bagging the last race of the day with a cracker of a finish to get favourite Time of my Life close home. The favourite did everything right from taking the jump to dictating the pace all the way well into the straight. She shaped well approaching the distance post too and Sandesh atop Dibaba started to inch closer under some hard riding. It was in the last 100 meters that the Dibaba camp got a sense of a possible victory and it did come through a stride before the wire. Dibaba threw in all his might to peg back Time of My Life on the final stride to snatch the victory with a terrific finishing run. Smoke Haze did well to take the place money.

Jockey PS Chouhan now hired by Mr Jaydev Mody, notched up a lucrative double scoring off the very first race of the day astride We Break The Rules (Multidimensional – Pricewise, Usha Stud). Orion’s Belt was up in front with We Break The rules in close second. Favourite Turning Point was sluggish at the start and that proved fatal.

Orion’s Belt galloped well on entering the straight, but could not shake off We Break the Rules. Turning Point was in third, but the heavy impost hindered her to an extent. Orion’s Belt drifted out and then drifted alarmingly back towards the inner rails. That gave a chance to We Break The Rules who fought hard and managed to get past Orion’s Belt close home to carve out a narrow victory.

Chouhan scored an emphatic win atop Noshir Cama trained Gazino (Surfrider – La Joconde, Ruia Stud). Gazino had been consistent through his short career and was knocking on the door. They hype around Albareto’s track work saw him installed the favourite with Gazino the net in demand.

Lady Almeda led the field with Gazino alongside; Albareto came next with Arashi and Anniversary Girl close behind. Gazino found his rhythm nicely to stretch away from the fading Lady Almeda. Albareto was struggling to keep pace while Anniversary Girl made good progress along the rails. Gazino was galloping sweetly meanwhile and bounded forward at a good clip to blow the field away, scoring the most prolific victory of the day. Anniversary Girl ran a decent second. Moonshine did well to forge ahead of Albareto, ending an eye-catching third.

Daffodil (China Visit – Hills And Stars, Usha Stud) was another impressive winner on the day. Settling in the mid-bunch in a big field, in-form jockey Neeraj Rawal guided the Shroff ward astutely and got her into striking position entering the straight. Once unleashed, Daffodil surged forward with clinical precision and bounded away to score with ease. Vitesse ran a competent race to beat the rest. Zanzibaar warmed up late after racing in the rear bunch, progressing steadily in the straight to finish a good third under the circumstances.

For the professionals, jockeys A Sandesh and PS Chouhan scored a double each.