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Taurian edges out Water Wood

By Sharan Kumar | 14 May 2005 | BANGALORE


Taurian (Vivek up) winner of the Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup being led in by trainer Mr.Puttanna

Puttanna trained Taurian had the class to defy the handicap disadvantage as he powered his way to a thrilling win over Water Wood in the Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, the feature event of opening day’s Bangalore Summer Races. Favourite Water Wood had everything going for him until Taurian caught up with him in the dying moments of the race. Suraj Narredu who was returning to the saddle after a break of over three months due to a fall and a collar bone fracture sustained at Hyderabad was rusty and this perhaps paved the way for the victory of lesser fancied Taurian. Water Wood had recorded a smashing win in his last outing in winter and was spot on as evidenced by his workouts. Taurian had run purposefully in the Sprinters Cup at Chennai despite not getting the luck of the race and he had acquitted himself against some quality opposition in the past. However, it was Water Wood and Laguna Blue which caught the market fancy as both were strongly favoured to win. Laguna Blue had all the chances but weakened under pressure. Laguna Blue had recovered remarkably from a knee chip operation and won twice before running behind River God in one of the terms races which spoiled his handicap and perhaps took its toll on him as he has not been able to reproduce that run on more than one occasion when strongly fancied. He seems to be out of depth at the moment and may be a little drop in handicap can see him in better light. Water Wood led all the way, with Laguna Blue in close attendance and the rest in close proximity of each other. Water Wood kicked on gamely on turning for home and shaped like a winner until jockey Vivek pulled Taurian from the rails and gave him a free run on the outside. The five-year old gelding picked up speed and managed to edge out the front runner close home. Explosivo flashed on the scene rather late and took the third spot. Only For Gold, a rousing performer till she had a setback at Delhi, needed this run and she bears watching. Suraj Narredu lost another race in a close encounter. Grastronomique who came in for inspired betting in the ring, almost collared the front-running Candrakanta close home but Suraj lost his whip at a crucial stage of the race and this perhaps ensured a short head win for the latter. Suraj of old would have won with or without the whip but then this was his first day after a longish absence from the saddle and he should sharpen up from now on. Favourite Jojoba was not sighted. Jojoba was not the only favourite to play truant on the day. Two other horses, Silken Star and Wingnaprayer, which looked invincible in their respective races ended up second best. Silken Star which enjoyed a high rating from the stable and considered a frontline contender for the Gr.1 Fillies Trial Stakes, shaped like a winner in the final furlong but Talk of The Devil, who picked momentum, managed to pip the favourite in the shadow of the post. The progeny of Concordial have been faring well of late though the Daryanani Stud where he stood has wound up operations. Zooming and Amelie took the next two spots on the frame. Wingnaprayer had won in great style when last seen in action in winter and she had all the credentials to give a repeat show. However, her lack of fitness told as she slackened on turning for home. Scintillating Skill, full sister to Stayers Cup winner Bay of Angels, was outpaced in the early part of the race but covered ground rapidly half way through the race and then burst clear to win quite capably. Pretty Queen was third ahead of Trade Fair who also lacked sharpness. Scintillating Skill won like a horse that would enjoy a trip of mile and a half. Trainer Nityanand who was short on luck in winter, started the season on a bright note, saddling the well fancied Maple Fondant to victory. Maple Fondant won with a great deal of comfort from a late-finishing Over Power. Lace And Whiskey was the market fancy but she was unworthy of the trust as she was not sighted. Lace And Whiskey’s trainer has a poor record with favourites and added to that, the daughter of Warrshan was running after a longish absence from the track. Darashah trained Panmure who was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, won without fuss against a set of disinterested opposition. Arjun Mangalorkar’s Hawaiian Sunrise, who was blazing the rack, took on a poor quality of opposition and her win was always on cards. In the day’s other action, Ladyfeelgood towered over the opposition and she won decisively from Royal Brackla. For strange reasons, Eden came in for strong support and it was clearly evident that the trust was misplaced.