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PARISIAN SCORES IMPRESSIVE VICTORY

By Mahendra Mallya | 05 Mar 2020 | MUMBAI


Mr Vijay B Shirke & Mr K N Dhunjibhoy leading Parisian (P Trevor Up), winner of The Keukenhof Plate

There were some prolific performances on the day however, Pesi Shroff rained Parisian (Champs Elysees – Anywaysmile, Usha Stud) stood out as the most impressive winner of the day. The four-year-old filly who had won on debut in an ordinary bottom class, beat nothing of high quality this time eiher, but the manner of victory was something to cherish.

Luminosity rushed up to compile a runaway lead early on in the mile race, with Tasman in second; jockey Trevor had Parisian in fourth a good four lengths behind Tasman and a shade behind Shae until the turn. Luminosity ran out of gas soon and just when Shae tried to make a grab for the lead, Parisian cruised past to dominate the homestretch. She travelled fluently and without needing any assistance from the saddle. Trevor looked back more than once and had eased up his mount in the final furlong. Parisian encountered no threat whatsoever and ambled to victory by a big margin too. Shae held on to finish second ahead of Noble Heir.

Trainer Pesi Shroff had a lucrative day leading in two other winners. Mzilikazi (Kingda Ka – Al Khazneh, Nanoli Stud) was one who finished on well to win comfortably in what seemed to be heading for a close finish. Slam Dunk led them into the straight and faded out soon after. The well-backed Memorable Memories shaped well in the early half of the race and looked on course until into the final furlong. Mzilikazi moved up along the rails, while Castilian made his bid from the outside, both gaining rapidly on Memorable Memories. In the last 100 meters however, jockey KS Kavraj rode out Mzilikazi to lunge ahead of the leader and thwart Castilian’s attempt to score by just over a length. Castilian finished a length ahead of Memorable Memories.

Pesi Shroff’s third winner on the day was provided by debutante Alluring Silver (Leitir Mor – Personal Allure, Poonawalla Stud) who scored a pleasingly facile victory to clinch the AFS Talyarkhan Trophy.

Decaprio showed good early speed and led all the way into the straight, but could not keep the momentum going. In contrast, Alluring Silver raced some distance behind and came into her own midway in the straight. When she picked up momentum, Alluring Silver looked far superior to her rivals as she stormed ahead approaching the distance post and drew away. None could match her finishing speed and Alluring Silver stretched away to win by a good margin of three lengths without really having to go all out. This was indeed a promising performance and Alluring Silver would only get better, hence an encore is on the cards alright. Powerful Lady improved well in the straight to wrest the second slot from Treasure Hunt closer home.

Athulya (Phoenix Tower – Java Bleue, Manjri Stud) ran his best race yet to down favourite Daddy’s Pride in a tough battle. Daddy’s Pride moved up nicely in the homestretch to get the measure of long time leader Nicollini on entering the homestretch, but had Athulya join the fight. Daddy’s Pride and Athulya were then engaged in a strong battle in the final few strides. Jockey  Nicky Mackay played his hand well and rode out hard to ensure Athulya victory. The Sunderji trainee put in a determined effort to surge ahead and win the PR Mehta Trophy by a length. Daddy’s Pride, after a good sixth place in the Derby, was indeed a disappointment. Nicollini ended a decent third.

Faisal Abbas trained Cracker Barrel (Phoenix Tower – Caborig, Manjri Stud) was another debutante to score an impressive victory. Favourite Ces’t L’Amour led them into the straight and enjoyed a handy lead too, but faltered badly at the business end. Cracker Barrel picked up approaching the distance post and the breezed past the favourite showing tremendous speed once he got into the act. He won drawing away and piled up a massive six lengths margin past the post. Va Bene did well to finish second, improving positions in the final furlong. Bohemian held on to finish in the money.

The day started on an exciting note with a terrific finish in the opening race. Favourite Nightfall was made to earn his victory as Dragonmoss put up a stiff challenge. Nusrat led them in and soon surrendered the lead to Nightfall. Jockey Sandesh looked in control as none close behind were measuring up. Dragonmoss made raid progress in the straight and past the distance post, and not only go alongside Nightfall, but even headed him. Nightfall fought on bravely and stuck by Dragonmoss and the two zipped past the wire with Shahsaan Shah’s Nightfall nosing it first. Dragonmoss was unlucky to see a good effort go down so narrowly. Nusrat finished in the money.

Shahzaan lead in a double when his ward So Splendid (Net Whiz – Mullagh, Hazara Stud) picked up his second win back-to-back. It looked anybody’s race with So Splendid, Retained Asset, Shapath, Caesar,Gandalf and Lambretta in a line with a furlong to go. However, So Splendid, with Trevor in the saddle, finished on fastest to win with a measure of comfort. Retained Asset edged ou Caesar for place money.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff scored a fine treble, while Shazaan Shah and jockey P Trevor scored a double each.