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Delphi, Oceanaire Set up C. Alford’s Double

By Epsom Ace | 22 Dec 2010 | KOLKATA


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‘All is well that ends well’ may be an age-old cliché, but that’s the way it was for punters at the Calcutta racecourse after Apyrous had sent shockwaves through the stands. The darling (and at unhappier times the devil) of the local crowd – Christopher Alford, ensured that punters went home a happy lot. First he ensured that Delphi (Emerald Cat-Bongusto) lifted the upper division of The Freelancer Cup easier than verdict and then piloted Oceanaire (Inhabitant – Celtic Knot) to a superb triumph in the lower division of the same race.

It was a great relief for punters as favourites failed miserably in the first six races. However, it is quite evident at this stage of the season that ‘form’ and not ‘money’ will define winners. Thus form and handicap horses like Shershah (3/1) and Brief Encounter (6/1) did not let down their backers. The filly from Pesi Shroff’s yard (Delphi) shot out of the tenth draw and immediately grabbed the rails. She kicked on merrily with Alford having precious little to do. Aged King’s Desire ran on well but lost out to a younger upcoming sprinter.

Vijay Singh-trained Oceanaire was handily placed in fifth spot while Rithambhra, Glenbervie and Mrs Jones fought for the lead. After the turning for home, Alford shot Oceanaire neatly through the middle for a comfortable victory. The afternoon started with a shocker in the form of Fit For Fray (Bee’s Prospector-Waggamama). The five-year-old mare from Jasbir Singh’s yard made the mile race for The Flying Glance Handicap a start to finish affair. The hapless River Warrior lost all his chances at the gates as he reared up and dropped his rider. Ocean Dancer was well positioned at the bend and looked as if he may collar the front-runner when the latter started to drift out, taking Daniel David’s ward with him.

At that point of time, Incantation made his move along the rails. By the time M. Krishna on Ocean Dancer switched him in, it was a little too late. More astute handling may have won the day for Ocean Dancer. No doubt, A Imran Khan will ride him when he is tried next – probably over seven furlongs or the metric mile. Explorer’s Quest looked pretty well placed to score in the five-and-half furlong race for The Zanzibar Handicap but was stunned 100 metres from home by the lesser fancied Sun Dancer (Senure-Sun Worship). The six-year-old from Shafiq Khan’s yard was given a fine ride Md Shabbani who seems to have grown in confidence during his stint at this stable.

The Angeles Plate for two-year-olds rather surprisingly saw Vijay Singh-trained Melody Belle installed as the on-money favourite while the much in form Shershah (Epicentre-Achemar) was available at 3/1. Collaring Goliath early in the race, Shafiq Khan-trained Shershah went on to record a facile victory. Melody Belle will be better off after this run and may strip a winner next time out. Rutherford-trained Secret Gallop (El Johar-Dance Attack) came good at last when he won the upper division of the six-furlong Ethics Handicap in a close finish from the ever-consistent Blood Rayne – a lesson for the latter’s mentor here is that placing horses cleverly is what counts, not the frequency of his starts.

Though the six-year-old is at the peak of his form, his handicap has gone up considerably by finishing on the frame too often. However, there is no doubt that repeated runner-up berths will help him pay towards his own upkeep. The lower division of the same race was claimed by Daniel David-trained Brief Encounter (Ikhtyar-Kia Ora) in great style. Apprentice Arman Khan took the filly to helm of affairs right away and she stayed there all the way. She was well in at weights and extended the margin of victory in the straight from the fancied pair of Pine Valley and Requite. The string of outsiders ended with the win of the friendless Apyrous (Excalibur’s Lake-Anatolia).

Trainer Raghunath obviously realized that the once highly-rated four-year-old was pining for a trip. The half-money favourite Zillionaire was always in a box seat but when jockey Kamlesh urged him to take up the running at the top of the straight, he rather coyly declined. The winner made his run on the outside and jockey Kishore Kadam never eased the pressure as Christopher Alford on Credit Swap came with a menacing run along the rails. The last named looks as if he has come to hand and will be worth keeping an eye on.