Indiarace.com - india's first & foremost horse racing portal

DYF PUTS HIS LAST DEFEAT BEHIND IN GOLCONDA ST. LEGER

By Usman Rangila | 28 Oct 2024 | HYDERABAD


Mr Rama Seshu Eyunni and trainer Adhiraj S Jodha leading Dyf (P Trevor up), winner of The JSK1 Golconda St.Leger (Gr.2)

Adhirajsingh Jodha-mentored Dyf did not allow his loss to Geographique in the President of India Gold Cup last month to cast a shadow over his ability and his reputation as the best stayer in the country after Juliette. The grey son of Cougar Mountain out of Soak redeemed himself by winning the JSK1 Golconda St. Leger (Gr.2) in clinical fashion on Monday. Akshay Kumar-partnered Magnum, the lowest rated horse in the field of six, dashed into the lead with Champions Way, High Command, Dyf, Trevalius and Truth chasing him in a single line. Akshay controlled the pace to a nicety and his rivals were surprised to see Magnum’s exuberance when the race came to a boil. Magnum refused to give up as Suraj Narredu brought Champions Way into contention just before entering the home stretch whilst Trevor Patel also decided that it was time for Dyf to showcase his talent. Dyf swiftly moved ahead to hunt down Magnum about two furlongs from home and soon had the race in his kitty. Suraj desperately tried to get Champions Way to show some aggression when heading Magnum briefly but the colt threw in his towel as the latter regained the second spot. The other three runners headed by Truth trailed behind. Bred at the Nanoli Stud Farms, Dyf is the joint property of Messrs KN Dhunjibhoy, ZK Dhunjibhoy, Rama Seshu Eyunni, Jiyaji Bhosale, Rishikesh Bhosale and Ms Anosha Meyers.

Alongside the predictable outcome of the St. Leger, a majority of races saw money doing all the talking in the betting ring and the racetrack as well. For once this hustle and bustle in the betting arena sounded like music to the punters’ ears. As far as the races in question are concerned, it was as if some invisible force was influencing the equines performance. The contestants who had huge amounts of money wagered on them ended victorious while the horses whose odds went up faster than one’s imagination ran pathetically.

The day started with Laxman Singh’s ward Lifes Journey delivering the goods. The 10 to 7 on favourite lacked initial speed and Trevor had to work hard astride him much before the final run-in to catch up with front-runners – Ambitious Star and Only The Brave, in the straight. As soon as he got into stride, Lifes Journey (Arod – Hi Life) moved up resolutely to collar both Only The Brave and Ambitious Star in the last half furlong and went on to register his maiden win. Only The Brave finished runner-up ahead of Shadow Baby, who didn’t seem quite keen to display her potential on this occasion. Ambitious Star stayed in the frame, three-part of length behind.

The Pious from G. Sandeep’s stables was having only his second career start and had Akshay to guide his fortunes. He was quoted at even-money when the odds for the day were revealed. However, it was Indian Temple with Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) in the saddle who came in for sustained betting during race time while the odds against The Pious drifted to the extent that bookies offered 11 to 10 against him to finish in the money. The market forces proved right as S. Sreekant-saddled Indian Temple (Saamidd – Jasoora) overcame a troubled passage and unleashed a powerful run down the straight to nail leader Glimmer of Hope close home. Nkalanzinzi rallied well to take the third spot ahead of Sucker Punch. The Pious reached the haunches of Indian Temple inside the last furlong and half but flopped thereafter to finish a dismal second last.

Desert Hero, who had just left the maiden ranks three weeks ago, attracted the majority support against Hilton Sequeira’s candidate Sugar, who had won thrice from five starts. There were few takers for Sugar and Detective in the betting ring. It goes without saying that Desert Hero emerged victorious while his main adversaries shied away from the judges’ board. Gaurav Singh had Ravinder Singh-groomed Desert Hero in close attendance of Yesterday, Caraxes and Trishul, who headed the field till entering the straight whilst Sugar raced behind them. Caraxes was the first to show out in the home stretch with Trishul and Desert Hero trying to forge ahead. Desert Hero (Sedgefield – Grenadine) quickened under the whip to overhaul Caraxes and then successfully kept runner-up Trishul and Yesterday at bay. Carnival Lady ran on late to be fourth. Sugar, who left a foul taste in the mouth of her followers, and Detective chose to avoid the limelight, if only for this one time.

Seven-year old Amyra stepped into the winner’s enclosure after a lapse of over two years and had lots of punters cheering his success. G. Vivek-ridden Amyra showed no early speed as Divine Connection and Juramento showed the way to the nine-horse field and led them into the final stretch. Top-weighted Juramento hit the front in the last furlong and half even as Amyra was set alight by Vivek. Amyra (Leitir Mor – Pandora) hailing from the yards of Leo D’Silva came with a devouring run to tackle Juramento close home and reap a rich harvest. Juramento had to settle for the second place ahead of Divine Connection, who retired to be third with Classical Music in tow. There was nothing to write home about Devil’s  Magic’s flop show.

After keeping her prowess under wraps in the lower class in her previous outing, Ananth Vatsalya-nursed mare Sweet Dancer pulled off a silent coup on promotion. It was as if Ajeeth Kumar-piloted Sweet Dancer (Roderic O’Connor – Avec Pleasure) had sprouted wings as she hit the front to make every post of the six-furlong trip a winning one against an opposition, which can be best described as an amenable lot. Runlikethwind tracked the winner all the way but eventually found the going tough and ended fourth after Dyanoosh and Nucleus decided to make a late entry on the scene. They both ran second and third respectively. 

The positive intent and commitment displayed by Mr Perfect saw the Jasbir Singh trainee shock the fancied duo – Quality Warrior and See My Attitude over the seven-furlong journey for the Shaphir Plate. Apprentice Kuldeep Singh got Mr Perfect (Varenar – Tableau Vivant) to hit the front soon after the field had sorted itself out and the bay gelding survived the extended trip to win narrowly from favourite Quality Warrior and the late-finishing second-in-demand See My Attitude. The serious effort made by both G. Vivek and Ashhad Asbar had to be seen to be believed. But that’s been the hallmark of the races conducted at Malakpet in recent times. 

K. Satheesh-trained Grey Sky celebrated her relegation to the lowest class with a runaway victory in the concluding event. Grey Sky came from the wide draw to seize the initiative and was allowed a free run, an opportunity which the apprentice Ekram Alam filly seized upon. Battle On looked menacing in the last furlong and half but couldn’t progress further. Politics and favourite Desert Sultan, who raced well up with the leaders before suddenly dropping back while approaching the final turn, came with a late burst along with Politics in the final stage. But Grey Sky (Ivory Touch – Arrowhead) kicked on gamely to ward off both and won by sparing three-quarter length to runner-up Politics, who was separated by a neck each from Desert Sultan and Battle On.