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RUFFINA WINS TAPIA MEMORIAL MILLION

By Mahendra Mallya | 06 Jan 2019 | MUMBAI


Mr Dinsha P Shroff & Mr Munchi P Shroff leading Ruffina (David Allan Up), winner of The FH Tapia Memorial Million

Form horses come to the fore and this came as a big relief for the punters and followers of favourites after they had taken a severe drubbing on the previous race meeting. There were no shock-results on the day and favourites obliged in most races. Stalwart Pesi Shroff led-in four winners and jockey P Trevor scored a treble. 

Ruffina (Excellent Art – Miss Danehill, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) continued to dazzle and compiled her 12th career victory from 14 starts. Although the verdict shows just half a length, Ruffina didn’t really have to fire on all cylinders to pocket the FH Tapia Memorial Million. Jockey David Allan settled her in third as Your Royal Majesty led the field with Perfect Star in second. Ruffina had Captain Courage and New England behind her as they turned for home. 

Your Royal Majesty led them into the straight and soon had Ruffina looming large on the outside. New England made quick headway to get alongside Ruffina. Perfect Star was working hard to keep up, while Captain Courage was struggling. 
David Allan had to know that although he had New England on the haunches of Ruffina, he was no serious threat. David knew his filly only too well and he opened just enough throttle while New England was stepping on it and going all out. Ruffina always looked comfortably ahead and despite the close verdict New England never really threatened to pull off an upset win. Ruffina proved yet again that she is not only the best sprinter currently but far too superior to her contemporaries; as far as raw speed is concerned Ruffina is the boss! Trainer Dallas Todywalla can take a bow for the way he has nurtured the filly and kept her going at her best. 

Hunt For Gold (Leitir Mor – Pleasure Hunt, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) proved too good for her rivals as jockey Leigh Roche was unperturbed settling the Shroff trained filly in the second last position all the way until the turn. Black Cherry led them into the straight with Peerless in second and as they spread out for the final charge Roche manoeuvred his way between horses and took the inner route to break free. He got a lovely rail run and picked up speed approaching the distance post. Once she found her rhythm, Hunt For Gold stretched out fluently to race away from the rest and compile an impressive debut victory by a decent margin. Trouville fought his way through and finished a progressive second. Divine Glory earned place money while Starringo ended a tame fourth. 

Shroff had started the day with back to back victories in the first two races of the day. His charge Kennedy (Dean’s Kitten – Talita Kumi, Sohna Stud) showed pleasing strides while picking up his maiden victory over 2000m in the day’s opener. 
Fanfare was sent out on a start to finish essay and she led them until well into the straight. Kennedy, who was in third spot coming into the homestretch, moved up steadily to cover the gap and come alongside the front runners.  Retained Asset too showed some good paces to draw almost level of Kennedy at the distance post. However, the moment jockey Leigh Roche gave him to go, Kennedy spurted ahead within strides and drew away from Retained Asset effortlessly. Kennedy won by a good three lengths and looked good for more to come. Retained Asset produced a good effort as well and should not be too disappointed with this loss. 

Shroff struck again this time with Lord of the Sea (Dean’s Kitten – Enamoured, Sohna Stud) who bounced back to score a hard fought victory, this win, his fourth in all, coming after a gap of one year. 

Lord of the Sea set the pace and lead the field of four all the way into the straight. He fought on bravely even as B Fifty Two and Gloriosus headed him briefly. Supreme General also came around with a big gallop and all the four were abreast with a furlong left to go. 

Lord of the Sea, with jockey NS Parmar in the saddle, showed that he had a lot left in him. He surged ahead under whip and wrested back the initiative. In the process B Fifty got squeezed between horses and dropped back. Lord of the Sea finished on well to steer clear of the rest and won by a length to spare. Supreme General edged out favourite Gloriosus for the runner u berth. 

Vishal Gaikwad’s ward Golden Hind (Kingda Ka – Golden Bright, Nanoli Stud) won his second straight race this time in an even more impressive fashion. His task was perhaps made easy as favourite and last out impressive winner Flying Visit lost ground at the start and didn’t settle too well initially. He was also left too much to do in the straight, all contributing to his loss. But that’s not to take away anything from Golden Hind who ran a terrific race in his own rights. Unimaginable had a sizable lead coming into the straight and soon Golden Hind, with Trevor in the saddle, got going at a good clip. He made light of the weight he was carrying and zipped past and established a huge lead. Golden Hind was all by himself in the final furlong and won sparing five lengths. Flying Visit arrived when all was over but did well to finish second under the circumstances. Arrecife did well too finishing a clear third. 

Bushtops (Archipenko – Etroubles, Nanoli Stud) notched up his second career win and this one was a joy to watch. Bushtops raced in the rear as he has done in the past and arrived with a scorching gallop in the homestretch. He stormed ahead and looked the winner long way from home. Favourite Smasher was completely overwhelmed and ended a tame second, a length ahead of Augustus Caesar.  

Iron Age (Strong Suit – Intrigue, Manjri Stud) produced a smooth but fiery gallop in the homestretch to post a handsome win, his fourth from seven starts. Jockey P Trevor kept him in second, as Wild Fire led them into the straight. Iron Age got into top gear and zipped past Wild Fire with ease and then picked up further momentum to win running away. He clocked a quick sub-58 seconds for the scurry and was fluent and effortless all the way. Bateleur showed no rustiness of his long break and did commendably well to finish second. Oracle saved the place money. 

Anatevka (Multidimensional – Smashin, Greentree Stud) finally brought about her first win on the Mumbai turf and added to her solitary win that had she secured in Pune. She had to work her way up as Run Forest Run had stolen a march coming into the homestretch and was kicking on deep into the straight. El Comandante was the first to challenge the leader and barely had he got past, Anatevka arrived with Leigh Roche in the saddle, pushing hard for the Shroff ward to get going. Anatevka finished on strongly and collared El Comandante close home to score with a narrow margin. Officer In Command arrived late on the scene to snatch the third place from Run Forest Run. 

Kingsman (Phoenix Tower – Marquisa, Manjri Stud) trained by young Deepesh Narredu, made ample amends in the last race of the day by a good measure of comfort. He sailed into the lead soon on turning for home and then accelerated nicely to stretch out ahead, leaving those behind him far away. Jockey P Trevor eased him up a few strides from the winning post as Kingsman cruised to his maiden victory by a healthy margin. Aurora Australis covered a lot of ground in the straight and did well to finish in the money. 

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff was the star of the day chalking up four winners, while jockey P Trevor Scored a fine treble and Leigh Roche achieved a double.