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Bhagirathi Ends Sirono's Winning Streak

By Pearcey | 29 Jan 2011 | BANGALORE


Mr. D Shailesh Shivaswamy, Mr. Sharan V Makhija & trainer Irfan Ghatala leading Bhagirathi (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The D P Sharma Memorial Sprinters Trial Stakes

Irfan Ghatala's Bhagirathi (Mudeer-Taxido) produced a sparkling turn-of-foot in the final furlong to lift The DP Sharma Memorial Sprinters Trial Stakes at Bangalore on Saturday. She got up on the last couple of strides to lower the colours of a younger Sirono, who was making a bid to register her fifth straight victory. Even though the field was the smallest that we have seen in recent years, the finish was extremely close and exciting. This terms race is traditionally held to select the nominees for The Sprinter's Cup. Bhagirathi and Sirono shall spearhead the Bangalore challenge in the big event to be held during the first week of March at the Mahalakshmi race course. Bhagirathi was a relative outsider amongst the five runners that had accepted to face the starter. On the basis of her showing in a similar event about two months ago, five-year-old Captivating was the first choice of the punters. She had performed in much better company, and on the basis of comparative ratings, was benefited by the terms of this race. She had beaten Bhagirathi comprehensively earlier in the season, and according to them, there was no reason why she couldn't do it again. Sirono was the only youngster in this group. She had progressed steadily in her career and had not looked back since winning her maiden race in the month of May. After a success in a sprint handicap in Class I, the big-made filly was set to clash with her senior rivals. Captivating was marginally favoured ahead of Sirono, while Bhagirathi and Diamond Hunter were available at 7's in the betting rings.

The race began on expected lines. Captivating showed a lot of early speed and went ahead of Diamond Hunter and Sirono, while Rare And Precious and Bhagirathi chose to follow the leaders. Not more than four lengths covered the entire field as they made their way towards the home turn. Captivating skipped clear in the straight and was two lengths ahead of Sirono and Diamond Hunter at the two-furlong marker. Rare And Precious was trying to make his way along the rails, while Bhagirathi was galloping on the centre of the track. The scene altered suddenly. Captivating stopped in her tracks, and was soon passed by Sirono. With PS Chouhan making free use of the whalebone, the filly took over the running and looked like landing the spoils. However, Suraj Narredu wasn't giving up without a fight. He kept persevering with Bhagirathi and pushed her vigorously. The mare had to dig deep into her reserves to do what she did. Bhagirathi came with giant strides to nail Sirono near the winning post. Diamond Hunter and Rare And Precious finished close behind the two of them, while a tired Captivating retired to the tail-end of this small field. Irfan has done wonderfully well with this late-blooming winner.\

The other big event on Saturday was The RWITC Trophy. It was a terms event for three-year-olds, in which, earlier winners were carrying penalties. Tiberius and Silken Touch had won on the local track, while Iron Marshall was appearing after winning a race at Mysore. The only one to have won over seven furlongs in this group was Tiberius (Rebuttal-Queen Consort). In the hands of Richard Hughes, this brilliant galloper had clocked a good timing on New Year's Day. Tiberius was an odd-on favourite in this race. Once again, the combination of Irfan Ghatala and Suraj Narredu stole the show. Allowing Magnomical, Iron Marshall and Silken Touch to make the early running, Suraj was content to sit at the back. Tiberius was being ridden for eventual speed, and the horse was improving all the time. Allowing Chris Hayes and Silken Touch to lead into the final furlong, Tiberius was asked for an effort. Like a seasoned campaigner, he lengthened his strides and came alongside. Suraj rode hands-and-heels thereafter to keep him going till the very end. Magnomical held onto the third spot and finished marginally ahead of Veyron and Iron Marshall. The last-named lost interest in the proceedings after he was restrained from running freely in the early stages of this race. A change of tactics in future may see a better performance from this nice-looking colt. Magnomical is endowed with a lot of speed, and looks capable of winning a maidens event before the end of this season.

Suraj's cup of joy was full to the brim with a victory astride a horse trained by his father. Satish Narredu's Superb Style (Burden Of Proof-Florale) had been knocking on the door, and had finished a close second in the hands of a raw apprentice in his previous start. In a sprint race restricted to horses of his own age group, Superb Style posted a comfortable victory. He chased Another Destiny till the bend before making his charge. The long lead that he established at the top of the straight helped his cause. A couple of taps was all that was needed to keep him going. Kingdomofdreams and Lad's Gladiator came charging from the back, but all they managed to do was to narrow the gap. Corleone and Dramatic Dancer finished on the haunches of the placed runners.

The Narredus were unable to make it two-out-of-two when Showers Of Luck failed to collar Seven Star (Tejano-Seven Hearts) at the wire. This horse was attempting to defy a sizable penalty that he had received for a runaway victory in the lowest class. Even though he was giving chunks of weight to his six opponents, Showers Of Luck was expected to out-stay all of them. The nine-furlong trip was well within his compass. In a race that was run at a modest pace, Suraj chose to come from behind. This allowed Seven Star to overtake Ladzone in the straight and open up a fair lead in the final furlong. Showers Of Luck made steady progress, chipped away at the lead with each stride, but was still adrift at the winning post. Seven Star managed to win by three parts of length from the favourite. A similar distance away was the late-finishing Good Companion.

The only maidens race in the eight-event card was of poor quality. On the basis of having finished a faraway fourth in his debut run along with some steady preparation on the training track, and in the absence of a worthy opponent, Darius Byramji's Admiral (Major Impact-Quality Exchange) received strong support and started as the half-money favourite in this race. Srinath took him to the front and lasted out to keep his neck in front of a hard-ridden Right On Time. After a sluggish beginning, Appu coaxed Rosie's Dream into third place. The winning time was just about the same that is clocked by horses in the lowest class.

Prithviraj's Royal Nature (Tirol-Compassion) showed a clean pair of heels to his ten rivals in a scurry for horses in Class IV. After a front-running third in his earlier start, he had been targeted at this shorter trip. The Amit Caddy stable decided to take him on with another four-year-old maiden called Back Among Friends. However, the contest turned out to be totally one-sided. Royal Nature was never off the bridle while coasting away to a popular victory. Jagadeesh went ahead from the start and looked back cheekily in the straight. Royal Nature is capable of defying his winning penalty. Back Among Friends was distinctly unlucky to have crossed swords with the winner. First timer Habanero ran all over the place before taking the third spot. He is another one who is bound to improve after this run, and must be noted for an early success.

The day began and ended with a couple of races for horses in the lowest class. The opening event saw Lokanath's Son Of The Sun (Classic Tale-Dream Image) outpacing an average bunch of horses. In the hands of apprentice Kumar, he led from the beginning and sailed away from Manthara and the favourite Jewel Lady. The last race of the day generated a lot of excitement. Dominic's Not Not Seven was an obvious favourite in this race. He had finished a very close third to Fiorucci and Flame Back in the higher class, and was now running in the lower category. The Puttanna-trained Vayomi (Emerald Cat-Dancing Memories) attracted a lot of support, and the odds against this runner began to contract with the passage of time. Racegoers looked at his earlier form, but there was nothing there to help them in making up their mind. For those who follow betting trends in the ring, this was a good indicator. Not Not Seven got down to his known style of running, and tried his best to make every post a winning one. In the hands of Ashok Kumar, Vayomi bided his time at the back before making his move. The latter moved menacingly in the straight and sailed past with a measure of comfort to land the king-sized gamble. Now that he has exposed his capabilities, Vayomi is likely to progress further. Ideal Match hung onto her third spot ahead of the others.