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YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY WINS NIRMAL RUIA GOLD TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 23 Sep 2017 | PUNE


Trainer P Shroff leading Your Royal Majesty (Neeraj Rawal Up), winner of The Nirmal Ruia Gold Trophy

The Nirmal Ruia Gold Trophy lived up to its expectations of a thrilling finish, with the four horse field finishing just within a length and quarter, with Pesi Shroff trained Your Royal Majesty scrapping home by a nose from Phoenix Tiger. For the winner, it was third time lucky after two very close seconds this season.

Taking advantage of the low weight, Your Royal Majesty  (Multidimensional – You Are My Miracle, Usha Stud) shot into the lead at the start and went for it start-to-finish. He was cautious though and didn’t really tear away. Phoenix Tiger tagged along close behind with Accolade and Colombiana jostling between themselves not too far away.

Your Royal Majesty turned for home with Phoenix Tiger shifting gears and coming up from the outside. Accolade was made to switch lanes while Colombiana was picking up speed at the centre of the track.  Phoenix Tiger drew abreast with Your Royal Majesty and the pair started a fierce duel.  Neeraj Rawal and Suraj Narredu were in their elements. With very little separating the duo, they were heading for a pulsating finish. Accolade succumbed to the distinct weight difference and failed to catch up with the duo. Colombiana perhaps left it too late and was finishing on when the duo in front hit the wire together. Your Royal Majesty eventually had her nose ahead at the right time and Phoenix Tiger was ahead a stride after the winning post.  The finish was a real treat to watch and one’s heart went out to Phoenix Tiger who ended agonisingly close with a brave run considering he was coming out of a setback. On hindsight, Accolade may have missed is regular partner Trevor, while Yash atop Colombiana may be left thinking if he had a semblance of a chance had he been closer to the front entering the straight and then letting Colombiana unleash his known flourish at the finish.

Invictus Maneo (Phoenix Tower – Soul Sister, Manjri Stud) made an impressive debut with a gritty performance that saw him stretch away in the homestretch and keep rivals at bay while winning the Radio One Run.

Art O War led them into the straight with Invictus Maneo and Nembe Greek following closely. Nembe Greek sped to the front soon on turning for home; however, Invictus Maneo warmed up nicely to the task and zipped ahead approaching the distance post. Jockey Dashrath Singh guided the Adhirajsingh Jodha’s ward astutely and with the handy lead he had constructed, he nursed the gelding to a fine victory, warding off Arc Shine. Arc Shine covered some ground in the end, but could only cut down the margin finishing close behind the winner. Nembe Greek should have accelerated better, but squandered a realistic chance after being in the lead with a furlong to go.

Imtiaz Sait trained Raees (Sedgefield – Lost Perfection, Jai Govind Stud) won as he liked toying with the opposition and scoring with a widening margin. He went into the lead at the start and then relaxed in second preferring to chase Al Shamsheer for most of the 2400 m journey. Jockey CS Jodha then took him past Al Shamsheer approaching the final turn and from there on pulled away from the rest to win unchallenged. Square Moon ended a far away second well ahead of the other two.

Costa Brava (Phoenix Tower – Karakoram Splendor, Manjri Stud) coasted to victory in his second career start and won impressively enough for one to take notice of the promising future he could enjoy. Costa Brava took a smart jump and settled to lead the field, Suraj Narredu curbing his initial enthusiasm by holding him on tight reins until they entered the homestretch. Gentillesse, his main rival, surprisingly raced in the rear leaving him no chance to take a serious crack at toppling the winner in the straight. That tactical error may not have had a bearing on the result, however, Gentillesse could have gone closer to the winner and may have even offered a fight rather than going down tamely. Costa Brava sailed ahead fluently to mark his maiden win with a good deal of comfort. Lilibeth ran on to save place money, without troubling the top two runners.

The hype around Mount Mckinley popped like a balloon as the colt caved in after leading them into the straight. Brabourne shaped well after the turn and accounted for Zanzibaar who had just taken over from Mount Mckinley.  Just when Brabourne was starting to look good to last, top weighted Odessa (Tiz Wonderful – Silvery Star, Hazara Stud) trained by Malesh Narredu arrived with a big gallop from the wider outside. It was all over when Odessa with PS Chouhan came on to the scene with giant strides. Odessa displayed dazzling finish to pull back Brabourne meters from the winning post to clinch his second victory for the season and third overall. This was however, his first victory over the mile. Brabourne was overwhelmed, yet finished a good second.  

Zanara (Arazan – Aemilia, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) put in a spirited gallop all through to romp home a clear winner bringing up her maiden win in style. She was off to a splendid start and raced ahead of the rest and then quickened very nicely in the straight to score an emphatic victory, completely outpacing and outclassing the opposition altogether. She was never in a spot of bother as she ambled ahead fluently and on entering the homestretch she increased the lead effortlessly and scored a pleasing victory, clinical in every aspect. She certainly would thrive over the trips and the Dallas Todywalla ward certain to add to her win tally. Baby Face laboured to improve positions and did well for himself while ending up a faraway second.

Old timer Winds of Change (Noverre – Darla, Sohna Stud) showed commendable zest at eight years and earned a remarkable victory late in his career. He was fifth-sixth until the turn and made an effective dash in the straight to get past them all and clinch his third career win. Trainer Vijay Kasbekar certainly deserves praise for keeping him fit and Winds of Change, after a good third last time out, scored a rousing win in only his second run under the veteran trainer’s charge.

Jarama (Gaswar – Acciacatura, Sohna Stud) pulled off a comfortable victory in the concluding race of the day. She was pitched in an open race and with apprentice lad Vishal Bunde in the saddle, Jarama was offered at attractive odds.

Rare Silver looked good entering the straight with Dancing Prince right on his tail. Sumaaq was improving along the rails with the rest huddled together. Rare Silver surged ahead shaking off Dancing Prince. Jarama broke from the ranks and put in a fiery gallop to trounce them all and zip into the lead. The Waheed trained mare looked set for victory in the final furlong even as a few started closing in. Jarama kicked on gamely to stay ahead and win convincingly pegging back Rare Silver. Sumaaq saved the place money finishing third ahead of Dancing Prince and the late finishing D’Accord.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff and jockey Suraj Narredu scored a double each.