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RWITC Pays Homage to Mumbai Martyrs

By Mahendra Mallya | 26 Nov 2009 | MUMBAI


Mr. Zeyn Mirza Trainer Pesi Shroff leading Astral Flash (C D Hayes Up), winner of The Mathradas Goculdas Trophy

Forest Flair (Placerville – Tide of Fortune), who was the overwhelming favourite to land the spoils for the 26/11 Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy, kept his date with victory in a most convincing manner. The Karthik Ganapathy schooled gelding won the way a half-money horse ought to. A confident Prakash was relaxed even as horses passed Forest Flair soon after the jump and had to gallop in the fifth or sixth until the turn. Major Roberts, Star Attraction and Ambrogio were abreast coming into the straight. Star Attraction and Ambrogio began to surge forward, but when Prakash brought Forest Flair alongside, there was no doubting the result even as they were still a good part of the homestretch away from the winning post. Forest Flair Tore away from them all to register a fluent victory. Super cop Julio Ribeiro, known for his integrity and astute leadership, graced the presentation party and gave away the Trophy to the winners. In his post-presentation speech, the tall and lanky brave heart voiced concern at the state of the Police hospital. He expressed his gratitude at the announcement by Mr Vivek Jain, Chairman Marketing, RWITC that the Club would donate Rs. 5,00,000 to the Police Welfare Fund. Mr Jain also requested the owners and the professionals (Trainers and Jockeys) to contribute generously to the fund. Mr Ribeiro emphasised the need of the public to be vigilant and assured the patrons that Mumbai is well-equipped to thwart such attacks and things were getting better. The Club also played an audio-visual on its CCTV monitors showing clips of the dreadful incident last year. A minute’s silence was observed just before the presentation, in honour of those who lost their lives during the carnage on 26/11, last year. Pesi Shroff created history by becoming the first trainer to saddle six winners in a single day. Dallas Todywalla had scored five on two occasions on the Mahalaxmi track and once in Pune. Imtiaz too has chalked up five. Speaking of records, Purtu Singh had won all the six races slated in the day’s card at Pune as a jockey in those good old days. The Maharaja of Morvi Trophy was Pesi’s first for the day. Jacqueline (King Charlemagne – Talita Kumi) raised no sweat while winning this prestigious race, which was woefully reduced to two runners. Chasing her only rival Midsummer Knight early on, Jacqueline partnered by Paul Mulrennan, reduced the race to a no-contest even as they straightened for home. If the timing was not exactly a cracker, blame it on the sluggish pace at the start. Jacqueline galloped fluently in the straight and coasted to an expected facile victory, confirming in the process that she is certainly a strong contender for the Guineas in December. Astral Flash (Belong To Me – Burooq) was the money-back favourite for the Mathradas Goculdas Trophy. This Dr Mallya filly too displayed class while winning with a measure of comfort. Jockey CD Hayes never once had to take his whip out yet Astral Flash won pulling up! Equidae was all out in making a strong finishing bid to grab the runner up berth ahead of Aquilo. Long time leader and top-weight Sea Princess finished a close fourth, alongside both Equidae and Aquilo. Astral Flash has vastly improved and is a live contender for the Guineas. The two races that were sandwiched between the two potential Guineas contenders also went to Pesi Shroff making it a four-in-a-row for Shroff. Petra (Ikhtiyar – Indiscretion) owned by the Dhunjibhoys impressed on debut. Getting straight down to business as the gates flung open, jockey Mulrennan kept Petra on a tight rein even as he heard his closest rival Star Invitation breathing down his neck. Mulrennan maintained his tight grip for a prolonged period even as Star Invitation joined him alongside. It was only at the distance post that Mulrennan let Petra loose and also gave the filly a couple of educative cracks to finally wrap up the Mayor’s Trophy sparing over a length to the runner up. Onassis ((Glory of Dancer – Rahy’s Serenade), half brother to Diego Rivera, won with awesome ease. No wonder Pesi later claimed that this was his pick for best performer of the day. Settling just behind the leader Fire Vault, Onassis shook off all his rivals soon on entering the homestretch. At 300, jockey SA De Souza simply gathered him and it did not take much effort for Onassis to stretch out with giant strides to outpace them all to win by a widening margin. Onassis finished full of running and is maturing into a good middle distance candidate. An encore is right up his alley. Shroff squared off the last two races as well thus notching up six for the day, a remarkable record indeed! Mulrennan goaded Bright Future (Alnasr Alwasheek – Ramjet) to take the lead soon on settling down then eased her into a nice rhythm. On straightening up, he did not immediately urge the filly, but gradually got her to accelerate at a decent clip. Cherokee and Roaming Fame were getting a bit closer, but in the final hundred metres a couple of precautionary cracks did the trick and Bright future easily spared 2 lengths to Cherokee and Roaming Fame. The last race victory of Star Alliance (Razeen – Trois Etoiles) was perhaps the most spectacular of the day. A lethargic start for a six-furlong sprint can be fatal, but not for Star Alliance. A poor start and the Shroff trainee was at the tail end of the field. Two well-backed horses Vacheron and Forward Charge, the latter backed down from the eights to 7/2 at race time, were in front along with Secret Talk. Hayes niggled and urged Star Alliance even before the turn. Vacheron and Forward Charge then engaged into a fierce battle and midway up the straight Casual Look too threw in his challenge. Star Alliance was still away, but in the final 100 metres Star Alliance came up with a fiery burst to surge past them all for an incredible victory, literally snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Pure Elation (Royal Kingdom – Piccolina) won her second victory on the trot and justified the heavy support she received in the ring. Settling closer to the rear of the field, Neeraj Rawal got Pure Elation into a handy position at the turn. Ishtar and Hiefitz who made most of the front running got the bunch homeward and Ishtar was the first to fade away. Pure Elation was travelling well despite moving on the bit. Nearing the distance post, Neeraj pressed the button and Pure Elation drifted further away to safety. De Nada came up with a late burst, improved well to claim the runner up berth. Sea Queen disappointed and Catalyst was never in the hunt. In the first race, Nymph, the well-backed filly from Katrak’s yard failed to live up to expectations and her start to finish essay flopped badly. Hitting the front soon on start, Nymph led all the way until the last furlong after which she had little gas to sustain. Destined Prince challenged her all the way into the homestretch and got the better of Nymph in the final few strides. Refuse to Bend (Senure – Stylish Bird) was the one who warmed up nicely to produce a lively finishing effort and the gelding from Dr Anil Kumar’s yard ridden strongly by Ruzaan got past the fighting duo in front to post a well earned victory. Jockey Paul Mulrennan could not have asked for a better start on the Mahalaxmi track. He compiled a fine treble winning all his three mounts for the day. Jockey CD Hayes notched up a double.