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STAR SUPERIOR KEEPS DATE WITH VICTORY

By Mahendra Mallya | 12 Jan 2019 | MUMBAI


Mr Zavaray S Poonawalla & Trainer Rajesh Narredu leading Star Superior (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3)

Rajesh Narredu trained Star Superior (Excellent Art – Ramjet, Poonawalla Stud) proved his superiority and did well to wear down Sacred Roman who had a sizable leeway in the straight. He won the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr3) by a narrow margin and had to cover a lot of ground in the straight. Sacred Roman skipped away to lead the field all the way into the straight and had stolen a march coming into the straight, leading by about five or six lengths. Star Superior, with jockey Suraj Narredu in the saddle, didn’t seem too concerned about the runaway lead and started to inch closer past the 400 m mark. For the rail birds, the excitement was building up as Sacred Roman was kicking on and not shortening his strides at all.

As they approached the distance post, Suraj Narredu alternated between the use of whip a couple of times and pushing hard for the next couple of strides. Star Superior started gaining on Sacred Roman in the final furlong and when he arrived, there was not much resistance Sacred Roman could offer. To his credit, Sacred Roman never slackened and fought all the way to the wire ending a gallant second. He made Star Superior earn this win and fought gamely. Star Superior passed the stern test and finished on well and full of steam at that. However, he still has to prove his mettle while tackling the Derby trip; he has done well over the mile and quarter, the extra quarter mile will be the true test of his class and stamina.
 
Sacred Roman has ticked most of the boxes as well. He raced well making his own pace and will take a lot of positives from this run and is bound to improve further. He looked good enough to stay the distance despite not being able to ward off Star Superior. He has indeed enhanced his reputation by staying in contention right through.

Joplin (Stern opinion – Chiquelle, Pratap Racecitement Stud) from the stables of Noshir Cama, scored his third victory on the trot with another display of good speed. Sitting in close behind Pokerface until the turn, with Gold Field alongside, Joplin accelerated nicely to work up good momentum. She dashed past Pokerface with ease and then established a handy lead. She galloped resolutely through the final furlong and sewed up the race comfortably, looking the winner long way from home.
Between the Waters had an ominous start. He was sandwiched between two horses from either side draws and got squeezed and had to check soon after the jump. He recovered well towards the finish and finished runner-up. Jockey CS Jodha raised a technical objection but that didn’t hold any water with the stewards and the objection was duly overruled.
 
Trainer Hosidar Daji’s ward Thailand (Top Class – Immortal Story, Mukteshwar Stud) galloped fluently in the homestretch to score a facile win on debut. However, in trying to manoeuvre her way from the rails seeking clearer passage, she cut across Missing You who was right behind and caused the latter a check.

Copper Queen was in the lead approaching the distance post, when Thailand with Trevor in the saddle, came swooping down on the leader. She arrived with a scorching gallop and simply zipped away from Copper Queen in a trice. Missing You rallied well and put in fast gallop, but just couldn’t catch Thailand who won convincingly. An objection by jockey Neeraj Rawal for that jostle early in the straight was rightly overruled. Thailand can win again and Missing You also should pick her maiden win soon.
 
Lorraine (Mull of Kintyre – Fourpenny Lane, Sohna Stud) came through a rough passage and finished on with a spirited run to win a hard fought race. He was between horses as Fleur De Lys led them into the straight. Juno’s Guest made an early move and challenged the leader. Excellent Sorrento moved up from the outside, while Wilshire too looked in contention. They were all closely bunched with a furlong to go when jockey PS Chouhan shot through between Juno’s Guest and Fleur De Lys and stormed ahead with a fiery finish to land the spoils giving trainer Cama his second winner of the day. Juno’s Guest held on from Excellent Sorrento to take the runner-up spot. Excellent Sorrento improved positions at was almost last at the turn and did reasonably well to finish a close third.
 
Truly Epic (Mull of Kintyre – Sun Control, Sohna Stud) from trainer Imtiaz Sait’s stables, scored a facile victory without encountering any worthy challenge. Jockey CS Jodha settled her early and in the rear with only Sassy Lass behind him as Timeless Deeds led them all the way into the straight.
 
Relentless Pursuit took charge soon on turning for home and even built a handy lead. Zanzibaar and Till End of Time started a forward surge. However, even before they could catch up with Relentless Pursuit, Truly Epic gathered fierce momentum and shot away from them to seal the issues long way from home. Truly Epic won by over three lengths and looks good for another won soon enough. Zanzibaar ran a decent second ahead of Relentless Pursuit.
 
Western Front (Strong Suit – Koh Samui, Manjri Stud) made light of the top weight and produced a strong finish to notch up his maiden success. He was well up in third soon on start with Cristo Boss at the help followed by Rouge One until the turn. Rouge One made an aggressive forward surge to take charge, but that lasted only over a few strides. Western Front, under jockey Trevor. Started to open up throttle and picked up speed quickly to zip past Rouge One. Western Front galloped on gamely and won easing up. Rouge One ended a good second. Wizard of Odds did well to save place money.
 
Isinit (Arabian Gulf Soul Sister, Manjri Stud) galloped resolutely in the second half of the homestretch to win with surprising ease. Maestro led them into the straight and soon had Isinit breathing down his neck. Once apprentice jockey AS Peter started pushing the SN Joshi trainee, Isinit bounded forward with a forceful run and floored the rest completely. Outstanding improved to beat Maestro for the second slot.
 
True Grit (Excellent Art – Icebreaker, Exhilaration Stud) won the concluding race of the day at nourishing odds. He followed Golden Horde until into the straight and then picked up momentum to easily overhaul Golden Horde. He flew past the leader in the hands of apprentice Prabat Singh and sailed away to win by a healthy margin. Golden Horde was overwhelmed, but held on to the runner-up berth. Good Thing hung on to finish in the money.

For the professionals, trainer Noshir Cama and jockeys Trevor and PS Chouhan scored a double each.