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SAINT PETERSBURG WINS RCTC CUP IN THRILLER

By Ikram Khan | 09 Nov 2018 | BANGALORE


Mr Zeyn Mirza and Mr Aditya P Thackersey leading Saint Petersburg (S Zervan Up), winner of The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup

With three good horses in the fray, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup was too close to call. And it proved right, Saint Petersburg from trainer Sulaiman Attaollahi’s yard and the Hidayat Khan-trained Teodoro flashing past the post locked together before the `magic’ eye nodded in favour of the `saint’.  Most racing buffs despite being on the losing side, the well supported public choice Teodoro going down by the proverbial whisker applauded the efforts of Zervan on the winner and Srinath astride Teodoro. No matter who won or lost, the sport is a winner and this is what we appreciate and want to be associated with, exciting and thrilling contests opined the railbirds. 

Zervan took the three to one shot Saint Petersburg ahead soon after the relatively small but very creditable field of six runners (Mohican was withdrawn at the gates) came under the starter’s flag for the seven furlongs trip. The Sulaiman ward was travelling nice and easy before Sandesh astride Kerazano and Srinath packed punch and put pressure on the leader. But Zervan in no mood to give in kept the winner going and gained the day, a `nose’ separating the first two at the wire. Kerazano finished third ahead of Orenda. 

In another pulse-pounding finish which delighted the railbirds, the well supported Deepalika from Pradeep Annaiah’s yard piloted by Pradeep edged out the lesser fancied Spirit Of London by the shortest of margins in the lower division of the Belgaum Plate. The top weighted Concept Win from Arjun Manglorkar’s yard garnered maximum support after the odds on the Gregory Sandhu schooled Helenka drifted out, no takers even at a fancy price of (6/1). Deepalika, who opened at (11/2) came in for support at end, closing at (4/1). The public choice called the shots for most part of the seven furlongs trip before he shot his bolt approaching the distance post and at this juncture, in a cavalry charge Spirit Of London streaked ahead before Deepalika provided her supporters a reason to smile edging out the Prithviraj ward by the shortest of margins. The upper division of the event was claimed by the second in demand at the betting ring, Setaglow from trainer Arjun Manglorkar’s yard. Zervan piloted the winner, who appears to be in good nick and is ready to make her presence felt in the higher class. Erdemir caught the eye while gaining the runner-up berth ahead of the favourite Ultimate Magic while Starry Wind made the frame without unduly extending himself. 

The classy Isn’t She Lovely from Padmanabhan’s yard proved too good in the Hampi Cup. The on-money favourite who is likely to start the favourite in the 1000 Guineas assumed command the moment Sandesh alerted her at the top of the straight to cruise home in resplendent style. Big Heart finished second ahead of Fire Glow. The runner-up reportedly succumbed to a cardiac arrest on his way back to the stable.  

The Neil Darashah-trained Blue Moon had impressed most in the morning trials and most track reporters fancied her to score in the Antara Gange Plate despite the fact that the 1100M trip does not suit her style. But on class alone Blue Moon justified the confidence of her supporters winning with a degree of comfort from the debutant Spanish Beauty who was also strongly fancied to score. Blue Moon is a good type of a filly and is certain to climb up the ladder in the months ahead. 

The Sulaiman-trained Lady Legend was one other winner who caught the eye of the trackmen, consistently producing impressive performances in the morning trials. Sandesh astride the `Lady’ tracked War Hero all through the sprint trip before he setalight the Sulaiman ward to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Lady Legend is in good heart and it will pay to follow her again next time out. 

The opening event, the Lalithmahal Plate was claimed by the favourite Master Of War piloted by apprentice jockey Ryan Ahmed and the seven to one shot Revan Star partnered by T S Jodha came up tops in the Chintamani Plate after the public choice Lawrence Of Arabia failed in his attempt to justify the top billing.