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SUPREME GENERAL PICKS UP RAJPILPLA TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 22 Dec 2017 | MUMBAI


Trianer Karthik Ganapathy leading Supreme General (P Trevor Up), winner of The Rajpipla Trophy

Friday’s races saw favorites obliging in five of the eight race card and the followers of favourites would not be complaining. Masquerade (Stormy River – Fabulousday, Hazara Stud) started the trend going with a fine victory, winning the opening race of the day in style, without encountering any challenge. Jockey David Probert, who had tasted victory on the Mahalaxmi track on his personal debut last week, had little scope to show his riding skill as he won both his races with a good measure of comfort. I am sure he will come good in fiercely fought battles as well, but for that we have to wait. As of now, he is enjoying a good time in the saddle without really coming under pressure or having to sweat in out.

Masquerade was the public rage being offered at 6/10 in the betting ring. David settled the filly well letting her to go up with the pace and got her right behind His Master’s Vice who made the pace al the way until the final turn. Once into the straight, David eased Masquerade to the front and the filly stretched away readily, charging ahead and going away from her rivals. Masquerade galloped fluently throughout and having tasted her maiden win, she has shown a good deal of stamina and is shaping well for the distance races.  

Supreme General (Old Forester – Fiery Pegasus, Hazara Stud) looked too superior to his opponents and jockey P Trevor rode him out confidently. He was never perturbed even as he found himself along the inside rails with a wall of horses in front and his main threat Mekong Delta on his outside. Trevor held Supreme General on a tight rein even as Raees, Silver Beauty and Congressional were going all out towards the finish. Trevor unhurriedly switched Supreme General to the outside of the trio in front and once the Karthik ward got the cue, he surged forward with a tremendous burst of speed to win handsomely without having to be extended at any stage. Supreme General can win again and mile seems to be his pet distance.

Anacapri (Mineshaft – Time’s Mistress, Manjri Stud) was another favourite that won without causing any anxiety to her backers. She was up in front matching strides with God’s Own initially and then darted away at the business end to score a delightful victory with minimum effort. She had gone close last time too finishing close second to Goldie’s Pet and went one better to notch up her first win on the Mumbai track. She has so far won five races spread over Kolkota, Ooty, Bengaluru and Mnow Mumbai. She is turning out to be a versatile sprinter and it won’t be surprising if she provides an encore.  

Zion (Archipenko – Piquante) broke the favourite-winning trend of the first three races, denying top fancy Adele a victory by a whisker. Going for it start-to-finish, Zion held a thin advantage until they turned for home.

Into the homestretch, Zion, ridden by apprentice SA Amit, kicked on gamely; Adele was way too far back considering this was a scurry, however, Adele was a touch slow to get down to business and found himself in the last position for most of the first half of the race. On hindsight, this proved fatal as apprentice Zeeshan came very close to winning and lost by a nose.

All credit to Zion and Amit as both were relentless and focused on the task at hand and put up a determined effort to achieve a hard-fought victory. Adele covered ground briskly all through the straight yet had to endure the anguish of getting so close and not being able to force a win.

Snow Blast (Ace Snow Dew, Poona Stud) had to be shaken up midway in the straight and Trevor had to really work on the Altaf Hussian ward to go for the final kill late in the homestretch. Emotionless drifted out alarmingly while taking the turn after being up in front and that was his undoing. It is learnt that his bridle snapped which explains it all. Needless to say, he just could make no impact whatsoever.

Trevor was egging Snow Blast on from the 400 m mark and some vigorous pushing and prodding seemed to have set Snow Blast alight. The six-year-old mare simply charged ahead in the final furlong to score with something to spare. Medellin had a good chance, but squandered away the opportunity, finishing a tame second, just ahead of Master Sergeant and long time leader Tall Story.

Democrat (Shamhoon – Alamshara, Track Supreme Stud) was hard yet skillfully ridden by jockey CS Jodha to peg back Gold Field, who looked most likely to win a furlong from home. Gold Field led the field into the homestretch and sustained well to remain in contention all the time. Favourite Gloriana was right up in front on straightening up and just could not quicken to help her cause. She went down tamely which was disappointing.

On the contrary, Democrat took advantage of the rail run and started to close in on Gold Field. CS Jodha put his head down and focused to getting Democrat to give it all. The MK Jadhav ward responded to Jodha’s fervent efforts and finished on with a lot of zeal to beat Gold Field close home.

Nicholas (Soviet Star – Duchess Ravel, Capricorn Stud) pulled off a start to finish victory warding off a late challenge from Turning Point. After turning for home, Nicholas built up a handy lead and was clear of the rest that were following. Turning Point had to improve from the last positions and having given so much leeway to the favourite, Turning Point had some galloping to do. Nicholas never relented and kept his momentum going all the way, yet Turning Point may have caused the winner some bit of anxiety as he was seen inching closer with every stride in the final 100. Nicholas eventually held his ground and Trevor can only blame himself for keeping to the rear for far too long.

Untitled (Sussex – Overdrive, Pratap Stud) gave the Antia-Hanumanth Singh duo a second win in three weeks. It was a neat gate to post win, in the same fashion they pulled it off last time too. Hanumant Singh rode out deftly keeping a safe distance from the challengers. Blazing Steps did get too close for comfort, but Hanumant Singh put paid to any hopes of the challenger and held on to win the fighting race. Trevor again was too late at the finish as She’s A Tiger was moving the fastest in the last furlong. She’s A Tiger covered considerable ground and fell short by just about a length and quarter, this after giving the winner and runner up a big leeway in the straight. She’s A Tiger looks fit and needs watching in her next couple of runs. Just around the turn, Sandesh astride Tessa was dislodged  

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff and Jockey P Trevor scored a treble each.