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Spectacular Quest has it easy in Daisy Appoo Cup

By Sharan Kumar | 09 Jul 2005 | BANGALORE


Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy & Mr.M.A.M.R.Muthiah receiving the Daisy Appoo B.T.C.Anniversary Cup (Gr.3) from Capt.Jamshed J.Appoo

Spectacular Quest reversed the form in the Gr.3 Daisy Appoo BTC Anniversary Cup, with an emphatic victory on Saturday. Coral Gables who looked invincible judging by the hammering he had given Spectacular Quest when they clashed in the first week of the season and his subsequent showing in another graded race, ran below his capability when finishing a tame second. The fact that Saratoga Sizzle finished just a length behind Coral Gables is a clear indication that the highest rated horse in the country underperformed. Incidentally Coral Gables who had won this event last year did not show the sparkle and zest that characterized his previous performances. With no apparent disability, Coral Gables attracted a big volume of money in the betting ring, while Ganapathy’s Spectacular Quest was next in demand though not commanding any inspired support. There was muted support for Crown Secret and Gaslight but in the event both were clearly outclassed. The speedy Rambus hit the front as the field set off for the seven furlong race. Camarioca, Havana Goodtime, Spectacular Quest and Coral Gables raced in close proximity with Fashion Verdict unable to keep pace, dropping out of contention. Gaslight who was sluggish at the start had covered ground to be in touch with the front-runners midway through the race. Rambus shortened his strides on turning for home even as Camarioca showed up briefly only to be decisively overhauled by Spectacular Quest who bounced away to a big lead. Coral Gables came up with a belated effort on the wide outside but the front-runner was never under threat of being caught. Saratoga Sizzle was third with Lancaster filling the frame. The most impressive winner of the day was the Ganapathy trained Mystical who smashed the opposition in the 1400 metres Nawab M Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup, a terms race for three year olds. The son of Alnasr Alwasheek certainly has a great future ahead of him. After tracking Iberian into the straight, this full brother to Randsberg picked up speed in a sensational manner and went away for a 10 lengths win over Cote D’Azur. The manner in which he swamped the opposition which had fair credentials, speaks volumes of his ability. Mystical’s performance is put in proper perspective when one considers that his timing was identical to that recorded by Spectacular Quest later in the day - 1 minute 25.8 seconds. One is a seasoned performer and achiever and the other just a beginner! Mystical is likely to run in the Gr.3 Usha Stud Bangalore Summer Million where he will be conceding weight and a similar performance would surely put him in the elite league. There was sudden spurt of support for Storm Flag Flying in the Sir Bruce Plate (Div.I) so much so that he displaced on-money favourite Premier Star from that position. The price on Premier Star drifted out to 3/1 while apart from Storm Flag Flying; On The Trail also collared lot of support. On The Trail who flew from the gates, had the race under her control but slackened close home and Premier Star managed to neck out the front-runner in the shadow of the post. Storm Flag Flying lacked the speed to be in touch with the front-runners and was a beaten cause long before the race was on the boil. Byramji trained Suave had to be fully ridden out to win from Andaluz in the lower division of the race. Suave found the six furlong trip rather sharp for comfort but just about managed to get the measure of Andaluz who shaped like a winner but buckled in the dying moments of the race. The Royal Randwick Plate (Div.I) produced an exciting finish. Kilspindie and Choice Is Blue were the market fancies and the former obliged by the shortest of margins. Kilspindie who was well placed at the top of the straight, surged ahead of the rest even as Choice Is Blue had to be maneuvered into a striking position. Though Choice Is Blue came up with a big burst of speed, the winning post came to the rescue of the front-runner who held on by the proverbial whisker. The lower division of the race turned out to be an anti-climax as Peakabo, hitherto a poor performer, sprouted wings, as it were, to slam the opposition by a widening margin of eight lengths. Star Distinction, who had performed poorly as a favourite last time, was seen in different colours in the Confucius Plate (Div.I). Sporting blinkers, Star Distinction collared the front-running Dinesa and favourite Look At Venus with a great deal of ease. Look At Venus was well placed to strike but did not pick up speed when under pressure. The lower division of the race produce a tremendous finish, with the Nityanand trained Star Blue managing to get his head ahead at the post. The speedy Siroco led the field from the word 'go' and shaped to win but Star Blue, who was hopelessly positioned inside the final furlong, picked up speed in nick of time to edge out the front-runner in the final stride. Rutherford’s persistence enabled Star Blue to win though the jockey ended up coughing a fine of Rs.3,000 for excessive use of the whip. There was a big touch on Big Thrillz who had all the chances but failed to quicken at a crucial stage of the race and finished a close third.