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SULTAN SULEIMAN FIGHTS OFF GRAND ACCORD

By Mahendra Mallya | 16 Dec 2021 | MUMBAI


Mr Dinsha P Shroff, Mr Munchi P Shroff & trainer Altaf Hussain leading Sultan Suleiman (T S Jodha Up), winner of The Sir Charles Forbes Trophy

The charm of the Mahalaxmi racecourse has no parallel and this was evident when a fairly large number of enthusiastic fans thronged the famed racecourse on day one of the new Mumbai Season. The first day dust would have barely settled when another Mega day springs up on what could well be termed a Spectacular Sunday on the 19th – the second day of the season. All seven races on the day are ‘Graded’ races and this is historical! The finest of thoroughbreds will be in action like never before!

The first day’s racing was exciting with most of the races seeing keen tussle right through the day.  Sultan Suleiman (Arazan – Saffron Dancer, Poonawalla Stud) asserted his superiority but had to dig deep to fight off on-money favorite Grand Accord. It was unfamiliar territory for Sultan Suleiman when he found himself in front in the three-horse field. Grand Accord settled a couple of lengths behind and the customary front-runner Flying Visit chose not to go his usual way. Jockey TS Jodha however, took that in his stride and held the Altaf Hussain ward on a tight rein to literally trot for the first 100 meters and then set his own pace for the rest of the 1600m journey.

Grand Accord set about his chase soon on entering the straight and did not take long to clear the two-length-something lead to join Sultan Suleiman. With a furlong and half to go, Grand Accord even put his nose ahead, but then Sultan Suleiman had a lot left in him and jockey TS Jodha too lent adequate support and got the best out of Sultan Suleiman to wrest back the initiative and win by half a length. Grand Accord too put up a good show and went down fighting, while Flying Visit made no impact finishing a further three lengths behind.

Hosidar Daji trained Sunrise Ruby (Whatsthescript – Venus Arising, Nanoli Stud) has shown commendable consistency all through her career and she once again produced a scintillating finishing gallop to snatch victory close home and in an exciting three-way finish.

Hidden Gold was off to a quick start and darted to establish a good lead with Joaquin in chase; Aegon raced a few lengths further back with Mount Moriah alongside, while Sunrise Ruby was on the tail on this pair and Excellent Gold in the rear.

Hidden Gold weakened soon on turning for home, the weight perhaps was the cause and he surrendered meekly as Joaquin took charge. Mount Moriah too started to quicken and was setting up a challenge, inching closer to Joaquin approaching the distance post. Sunrise Ruby was caught between horses and jockey PS Chouhan deftly maneuvered his way around and started to bridge the gap briskly. Joaquin was flat out as was Mount Moriah as they dashed towards the post, when Sunrise Ruby unleashed his final burst that was just enough to peg the pair back to gain a ‘neck’ verdict on the post. Mount Moriah beat Joaquin by half a length for the second spot.

Monarchy (Excellent Art – Goldilocks, Poonawalla Stud) showed steady improvement over her previous two runs and landed the spoils to achieve her maiden success on her third start. Apprentice Kirtish Bahgat had the Pesi Shroff ward in the mid bunch as Sentinel led them into the straight. Sentinel fought had but had to relent when Lord And Master and Multiencrypted came forth with a serious challenge. The last named was the best of the trio and Multiencrypted easily tackled these two. Monarchy warmed up in the final furlong and arrived with a fluent run to zip past Multiencrypted in the last few strides to win by a narrow margin, but convincingly onetheless. Sentinel stayed on to take the third spot, however, Redifined finished on with a late burst to claim a slot in the frame, putting up a notice and he bears watching in his next.

The Shroff-Bhagat combination struck again in the last race of the day with Sun Gold (Excellent Art – Blue Ribbon, Poonawalla Stud) making a winning debut, beating stablemate Emrys and the favorite Windy City. Little More Windy City and Princess Snow were off quickly, while Sun Gold and Emrys were in the mid-bunch until the turn. Windy City surged ahead in the straight and raised hopes until Sun Gold arrived with a strong finish. Windy City did not give up easily and fought hard, but Sun Gold was better on the day as he surged ahead in the last 100 meters to churn out a memorable debut win. Emrys too arrived with a good late burst to add to pip Windy City on the post for the runner-up berth. Emrys’ was a notable effort and he too is likely to earn his bracket sooner than later.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait opened his campaign on a winning note leading-in Sky Storm (Roderic O’connor – Divine Impact, Poonawalla Stud) in the opening race of the season. Sky Storm settled in third as Hawk Eye made a dash for the early lead. Jockey Sandesh made a quick headway soon on turning for home and that proved a good move. He was well ahead approaching the distance post and by the time Chieftain could make his bid, he had a handy lead to see him through. Chieftain did close in, but Sky Storm had enough legs to ward off Chieftain and race to his maiden win on his fifth start by a narrow half-length margin. Ol’ timer Power of Thor did well to finish in the money.

Imtiaz and Sandesh achieved their second success together for the day with Remus (Multidimensional – Haedi, Usha Stud). Sandesh went for the early lead soon after settling down and had it in control all through. Remus showed great temperament as they straightened up and he strode out fluently to leave the rest behind. He won with a lot to spare without much effort galloping to his maiden win on his second start which was in January this year. He showed no signs of any layoff blues as he blew away the field to chart a comprehensive victory. Myrcella and Seminole improved positions to take the minor placing, while El Capitan disappointed.

Treasure Gold (Phoenix Tower – Tropical Blue, Manjri Stud), trained by veteran Bezan Chenoy, also secured his maiden win powering his way in the last furlong to down favorite Chopin with ease. Chopin got past the runaway leader Fairmont soon on turning for home. Tasman tried to get closer but Chopin proved hard to catch up with. Treasure Gold got into top gear approaching the distance post and picked up good speed at the right time. He sailed past Chopin to romp home a clear winner with Chopin relegated to second. Tasman held on to the third post from Circle of Love.

For the professionals, trainers Imtiaz Sait, Pesi Shroff and jockeys Sandesh, TS Jodha and Sirtish Bhagat scored a double each.