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ROBERTA WINS HOMI MODY TROPHY

By Mahendra Mallya | 05 Jan 2020 | MUMBAI


Mr & Mrs Vijay B Shirke leading Roberta (Leigh Roche Up), winner of The Homi Mody Trophy

Shroff trained Roberta (Multidimensional – Moonlight Romance, Usha Stud) redeemed her reputation somewhat with a pleasing and much needed victory in the Homi Mody Trophy for Class I horses. Roberta did not take too long as jockey Leigh Roche guided her into the lead and then maintained his grip on the race all through the 2000m race.  She set off at a steady pace and had Frivolous close behind, followed by Square Moon, Truly Epic and Gloriosus all within 6-7 lengths.

Roberta entered the straight full of running, while Frivolous fell back earlier than expected. Square Moon too had nothing much to offer as Truly Epic and Gloriosus both zipped ahead past him with ease. Truly Epic did close in on Roberta approaching the distance post, but a crack or two from jockey Leigh Roche got Roberta going and the filly sped away from Truly Epic in the final stages to register a comfortable victory. Truly Epic could not sustain the momentum he generated in the early half of the straight ending a length and half behind the winner.

A race earlier, Shroff had led-in hot favourite Exotique (Speaking of Which – Victoria Falls, Usha Stud), the filly pulling of her maiden win justifying the cramped odds offered on her. She took over from stablemate Moon River soon on turning for home and dashed ahead to build a handy lead. Salvo improved to second past the 400 m mark and started to bridge the gap. Exotique however, did look in any danger as she never loosened her grip on the race and although Salvo ended half length behind her, he never appeared to get the better of Exotique at any stage. Exotique won easing up letting Salvo get as close as he did at the post.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait had a profitable double one of which was Flying Visit (China Visit – Ohh Aah Camera, Usha Stud) who scored an encore beating seasoned campaigners with ease on both occasions. This time she accounted for two prime fancies in Costa Brava and Awesome One, both of whom ran well below par.

Bateleur was out quickly and led them well into the straight going at a good clip. Flying Visit chased the leader until into the straight and jockey Sandesh soon had the measure of the front runner.  He drew level with Bateleur with 300 to go and then quickened extremely well to stretch away to score a facile victory. Bateleur ran on to finish second by close to three lengths. Awesome One just managed to beat Pure Zinc for the third. Costa Brava had one of his worst outings as he never raised a gallop, languishing in the rear to bet one home. There did seem something amiss about Costa Brava’s poor performance as we are used to see him up in front more often than not in most of his races.

Imtiaz had begun the day on a winning note with his ward Ithaca (Phoenix Tower – It’s A Dream, Manjri Stud) steaming in, in the final run to snatch victory close home. Aquarius ran a spirited race and led them all they into the straight and then kicked off even further on entering the homestretch. Splash, who was the closest to the leader, was under pressure even before the turn and was a spent force even before the race came to a boil. Ithaca progressed nicely to set about in chase. Jockey David Egan was patient with the hitherto maiden runner and got his going in the final furlong. The seven-year old Aquarius fought the younger rival all the way to the wire and Ithaca had to use up all resources to collar Aquarius in the last couple of strides. So Splendid improved in the final furlong only to beat the well-supported favourite One For the Glory to fourth. One For The Glory looked soft and never raised any hope whatsoever.

Trainer HJ Antia enjoyed a successful day leading-in two well-backed horses in Untitled and Slam Dunk.

Untitled (Sussex – Overdrive, Pratap Stud) was heavily backed and he did cause anxiety to his large supporters as was stuck along the rails with a wall of horses in front with just about 400m to go. Brave was in front and galloping away with Jetfire, Westros, Highland Woods and a couple others snapping at his tail. Jockey Hanumanth Singh, however, was up the task and switched lanes at the right moments and pulled the gelding out of the jam. Once he got the clear run, Untitled accelerated fluently and one could spot him as a winner 100 meters from although he had to cover some leeway. He collared passed the posse of horses with ease and collared Brave well in time to snatch victory by a neck. Westros put in a good run to finish in the money.

Slam Dunk (Sussex – Escalating, Pratap Stud) won a lot more comfortably with apprentice Shubham taking him on a start to finish mission. Slam Dunk build on the handy lead coming into the straight and galloped gamely right through the long homestretch warding off his challengers and bouncing on to stay well ahead at the post. Highland Lass put in all her might, but could only finish second best. Caesar ran well to finish third.

Golden Era (Sedgefield – Feona, Jai Govind Stud) fought well to score his second career win with a forceful run in the final stages of the race.   Play Safe led them into the straight and faded out. Majestic Warrior produced a strong gallop to get past Eagleinthesky and Golden Era to take charge with a furlong and half to go. Golden Era received a check at the crucial stage, but rallied on nicely to make his bid from the outside. Fencing, who was the last to turn, also started to quicken and was right alongside Golden Era in a bid to challenge Majestic Warrior. IN the run up to the wire, Golden Era picked up speed and dashed past Majestic Warrior to win by a narrow margin. Considering the lack of clear passage and jockey Sandesh having to check his mount at a crucial juncture, Golden Ear did extremely well to pull it off. Fencing added more misery to Majestic Warrior to finish second giving trainer Adhiraj the top two places in the Director General of Police Trophy.

Dumas (Win Legend – Vadorousse, Dashmesh Stud) came good clean as a whistle to bring up his maiden win on his fifth start. After his suggestive third last time, Dumas was heavily backed to win and he obliged by producing a strong finishing effort.

Brothersofthewind raced with the breeze early on amassing a runaway lead all the way inide the homestretch. Dumas was in second, but jockey Zervan did no hurry with his mount even though Brothersofthewind still had a big lead. He let Dumas pick up speed and then urged him at the right moment. Dumas was all over the leader in no time and the sped ahead to be clear of the rest. Be Frank improved positions and tried to catch up, but Dumas steered clear and won convincingly. Be Frank ended second well ahead of Despacito.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff, Imtiaz Sait and HJ Antia saddled a double each, while jockeys Sandesh and Leigh Roche scored a double each.