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WISE CHILD WINS SHANTIDAS ASKURAN TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 29 Nov 2018 | MUMBAI


Mr & Mrs Vijay B Shirke & trainer M K Jadhav leading Wise Child (A Sandesh Up), winner of The Shantidas Askuran Trophy

Jockey A Sandesh followed up his four wins at Hyderabad on Monday last, with another superlative display while winning three races one of which - Vulcan was by the narrowest of margins. 

Adhirajsingh Jodha trained Vulcan (Sedgefield – Shinning Force, Jai Govind Stud) who normally sets the pace, settled down in third as Frivolous was sent out on a start to finish mission. Raees followed in second while Super Sunshine faltered at the start and tailed the field. Frivolous entered the straight with Raees on his heels and Vulcan switching to the outside and there began a long-stretch battle between the trio.

Approaching the distance post, Raees headed Frivolous who was fighting hard to stay in contention and Vulcan looming large on the outside. They battled hard and stride for stride towards the winning post. Frivolous was the first casualty as both his rivals surged slightly ahead leaving no chance for him to make a comeback. Vulcan, with Sandesh riding out hard and skilfully, just managed to stick his nose ahead on the wire to bag the Quasar Trophy on the last stride. Raees was gallant in defeat and missed out on another successful bid after signing off the Pune season with back-to-back wins. Frivolous tried hard, yet could not take the advantage of the scales and ended a close third.

Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha and Sandesh struck again in the very next race with Tasawwur (Multidimensional – Transformation, Greentree Stud) the bay gelding yet again showing out on his first outing in Mumbai. He had won on debut at Pune with a sizable margin and was heavily supported in the betting ring.

Astral Flare set off at a comfortable pace and led them into the homestretch with Tasawwur close on her heels. Astral Flare fought hard even as Tasawwur started to inch closer with ever stride. Tasawwur picked up speed soon enough to storm ahead in the final furlong to draw away and win by two lengths. Tar Heel arrived with a spirited bid and did well to pip Astral Flash for the runner up berth.

Sandesh also picked up the Shantidas Askuran Trophy, the feature event of the day with another piece of astute riding astride trainer MK  Jadhav’s ward Wise Child (Excellent Art – Elina, Exhilaration Stud).

Top weighted Clymene was quick at start and travelled beautifully leading the field all the way into the straight. She led them deep into the straight and the way she was travelling she gave an impression that she had it all covered as she was still a couple of lengths ahead with less than a furlong to go. Sandesh had wise Child stuck behind horses and had to weave his way around and poking through narrow gaps. He went for the rails and was fortunate to get just even space to lunge forward and come to second position with only about 100 meters to go. That was enough as Wise Child quickened brilliantly to surge ahead of Clymene with ease and then galloped on to score a comfortable win. Charging Tigress caught the eye as she rose from the last position producing a telling gallop to peg back Clymene to third with an impressive burst of speed at the business end of the race.      

Vinesh trained Juno’s Guest (Arazan – Queen’s Guest, Poona Stud) showed marked improvement over his debut run at Pune and achieved his maiden success on his first start at Mumbai in the hands of jockey Akshay. Settling down well soon on start Juno’s Guest surged into the lead soon on turning for home. He built a handy lead soon after and played catch me if you can as he darted past the 400 m mark. Outrageous began his chase but just could not match the speed at which Juno’s Guest was travelling at, thus ending a tame second. Juno’s Guest looked clear and safe in the final furlong and eventually had it easy while claiming the Mayor’s Trophy in good style. Long-shot Myrcella edged out Notting Hill for place money.

Awesome One (Dean’s Kitten – Aim to Achieve, Sohna Stud) scored a fluent victory as the Narredu siblings – trainer Deepesh and Jockey Yash combined together to score a second win with Awesome One between Pune and Mumbai. Yash had Awesome One in second behind leader Slam Dunk all the way until the turn. Madagascar lost all his chances by getting off the gates slowly and losing considerable ground.

Awesome One took charge soon on entering the homestretch, picking up good speed with ever stride. He cruised all the way giving Yash an armchair ride to victory encountering no challenge what so ever giving Yash the luxury of glances over his shoulders while easing up at the finish. Grand Tenton ended a faraway second, while Admo finished on fastest of the beaten lot to save place money.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Lesrel (Mayson – Tarkamara, Nanoli Stud) defied the heavy impost and registered another glorious victory carrying the top weight in the higher class after winning in class V at Pune. Lesrel was impressive as he moved up nicely from third to take over soon on turning for home. Once in the lead, Lesrel accelerated in a splendid fashion in the hands of ace jockey Trevor to hammer the opposition showing a clean pair of heels and racing ahead to post a comfortable victory in the Siachen Plate Div I. Safdar improved along the rails to finish a tame second, while Mighty Warrior improved considerably to pick up the place stakes.

Ridgewood Star (Rebuttal – Pheonix, Hazara Stud) trained by Dallas Todywalla won the lower division of the race also with a convincing margin. Ridgewood Star moved up along the rails to cruise past leaders Royal Ace and Rare Silver and once in the lead, he pushed ahead with Trevor in the saddle to quicken well and score by three lengths. Rare Silver got past Royal Ace to grab the runner up berth.

Patriots Day (Zaffany – Preseida, Nanoli Stud) had to fight hard and sustain all the way especially in the final few strides as he had to counter a stiff challenge from Emotionless at the finish. All seemed to be going well as Patriots Day, with jockey Roche in the saddle powered his way in the first half of the straight and shaped well to win. Emotionless picked up momentum and started to claw his way up closing in on the front runner. In the last 50 meters, Emotionless was evidently gaining on Patriots Day and that’s when the spectators got to the edge of their seats. The last few strides were too exciting as Emotionless drew alongside with the winning post fast approaching. Luckily for Patriots Day, the winning post did come at the right time as Roche rode out hard to keep Patriots Day in front at the wire, another stride and it may have been a different story altogether. Emotionless fought bravely and was a gallant second. Eiger’s Tiger finished in the money.

For the professionals, trainers Adhirajsingh Jodha and Vishal Gaikwad saddled a double each, while jockey Sandesh was the star pro of the day scoring a fine treble. Jockey P Trevor chipped in with a double.