Smart Chieftan secures Triple Crown

MUMBAI

SALUTE SMART Chieftan, probably one of the finest Indian throughbreds of all time! By showing that neither ``rain nor shine nor heat nor dust''' could faze him, the gelded son of Placerville demonstrated sterling qualities of courage, gameness and toughness, all that is the epitome of a champion. His instant burst of acceleration in the McDowell Indian St. Leger at Mahalakshmi last Sunday secured for him the Indian Triple Crown, the tenth steed to achieve that distinction.

Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy's property thus became by some way the highest earner on the Indian Turf. His bank balance now reads Rs. 1,59,45,873, amassed from his ten victories and one placing from twelve starts. The last line of these wins posted by the Poona Stud-bred have come on the trot. His victims in the Indian St. Leger were his usual rivals, Alchemy and Bonzer, who occupied the minor placings, in a race run in 2:58.07.

Smart Chieftan was sent out in fine fettle by Karan Singh, and steered on this occasion by the Bangalore-based K.P.G. Appu, replacing Richard Hughes, who was busy winning a stakes race in England on the same afternoon. Appu did nothing wrong (despite doubts expressed in some quarters), coolly restraining the champion in the second-last spot, and then releasing the brakes.

The period under review began with a two horse contest. For a couple of strides, El Cid allowed Sicalade to lead, then assumed command and simply ran away in the straight. The A.B. Stud-bred son of Young Senor from Imtiaz Sait's yard relishes the All Weather track and can go right to the top.

Once Time To Gamble had gotten away to a clear lead, the second race became a formality. Syed Shah's 2 to 1 favourite drew away under Daniel Bast, who has been having a good run in the saddle. Runner-up Budapest was outpaced, while the rest were out of sight.

Most got-abroads in India are by decent or moderate stallions and it is rare to find one by an undisputed international champion. Dallas Todywalla has the pleasure of sheltering just such a customer in Fantasy, a daughter of Lure, who made up for lost time with a facile seven length success. This came at the expense of Infamous, who had her head in front only for the first 100 metres, before obtaining a rapidly-receding view of Fantasy's tail.

Last time out Navroze Supreme was nailed on the post by Gagan Glory, and this time she fell to Sacred Fire. The latter's victory was thus gained against the track bias, and Sanjay Kolse's ward showed he still has some fire left in him.

Once Damroo's Gift had been deprived of the lead by Merry Lea's inward thrust 200 metres after the start, that All Weather specialist seemed to lose interest. Merry Lea kept up the merry pace till passed midway up the home stretch by Spice Boy, who brought home the prize in a new record time for the surface of 1:26.35. Magansingh Jodha's ward was guided by P.S. Chouhan.

In the upper division of the maidens race, Shanillo led for a long way, threatening to carry on, but shortened his strides. Boldwin was behind him at this stage, but J.K. Irani's handling of his mount left much to be desired, something which deservedly drew the stewards' attention. The best-credentialled runner, Queen Of Romance, whose price had lengthened, accelerated away to score.

The afternoon ended with top-weighted favourite Arabian Fighter kicking on better than leader Rumaan. Thus S.S. Shah saw yet another runner-up inscribed against his name, even as Arif Hussain's followers were celebrating the latter's feat at landing the odds, with his nephew Imran Shaikh in the saddle. Five of the seven public choices obliged, with the other two ending up second.

Maidens racing during this month seem to be so devoid of talent that Dancing Dreams, with a winner's penalty of just 4 kg., was quoted at 20/100. That bookmakers know their onions was soon evident as Gold Discovery's daughter brought C. Rajendra home with ease. Altaf Hussain has a useful runner here.

Lightly-raced four-year-olds who have no known form are obviously in Class V. Their trainers clearly have deeper insights than the public, for the confidence behind the likes of Evening In Paris (evens) and Caribbean Star (backed down to 14 upon 10 from 2 to 1) was unbelievable if one were to go by bare results. Neither the closing effort of Classic Success behind the former, or the check received by the latter, could impede their triumphant marches in the respective events.

Stolichnaya kept up Shiraz Sunderji's hopes of a title in a race where fancied Howard House made no show whatsoever. The closest finish of the afternoon though was reserved for the fourth race, where Redondo's last-gasp effort left Sunderji aghast, as the latter's ward Yewall was a winner everywhere but at the post. Note Bearer Bond and Stellar Angel, who are ready to strike at their next assignments.

An excellent contest for the Satinello Trophy, now over 1,600m, saw three runners in close proximity at the wire. The long- striding Seychelles closed with every stride but lacked the pace to touch off Reflecting, who had stolen a march. Along came Gorgeous Princess to add pep to the finish, albeit too late to be better than third. If the last-named comes out of the race well, she could turn out better - here she was reappearing rather sooner than ideal and making a quantum jump in distance.

Trainer Jayantilal has a smallish string but draws upon a long association with the turf, first as a rider and then in his current avocation. He was confident that his self owned runner, Grumpy, would not be out of the first two in the 2,400m concluding event, as the son of Binkhaldoun had been displaying more zest in his track work of late. Sure enough, the Aaron- ridden stayer sliced through his rivals to triumph at 12 to 1. Those who cared to look would have noted that this runner had a 50% record of placing in the first two over trips of 2,000 metres and greater.

Three of the five that made up the field for Sunday's first race were conceived outside India and the trio occupied the paying places. Under the spirited urgings of Aslam Kader, Mount Rose moved better than Dominant Force, with Favourite Trick never threatening to land a blow.

All Mark Gallagher's efforts astride Aylesfield were of no avail as veteran Uttam Singh introduced a smart youngster in Line Of Control. This half-brother to Zealot resembles his dam and seems to have little to do with the physical type thrown by his rather modest sire, Rebounding Thrill. Rajendra got Line Of Control to extend his strides and none could rein him in thereafter.

Despite having perforce to be a participant in a gruelling programme drawn up for him, Josh King retains his enthusiasm. At his ninth start this term, he came up with a wet sail to demolish the claims of Sonalika, touted as a ``good thing'' from the morning. That hapless runner- up just about held off The Silken Thomas, who was shown that he needs further than the 1,400m on offer here.

Out of action for precisely two years, Royal Jester has been nursed back to health by Narendra Lagad, who recently assumed charge of the Goculdas stable from his uncle, Bal, now in Nuwara Eliya. Showing a marked reluctance to go to the start, the old- stager shot to front but the proverbial fairy-tale ending was dashed when Lethal Striker sneaked through on the inside. Winner on debut, this Tecorno gelding had only unplaced runs to show thereafter before sprouting wings on this occasion. Mansoor Shah's ward was at 20 to 1 and dashed many a jackpot hope.

Having just failed to make it home last time, Storm Again brought swift recompense over 1,400m here. Shroff kept the Mallya standard- bearer just off the pace and made his bid once they had straightened up. The son of Alnasr Alwasheek kept the burgeoning Dhariwal tally ticking. Altazano's late effort was eye-catching and he can hardly lose amongst maidens if ridden a bit closer to the speed.

Barring the unfortunate episode involving Royal Deeds at Pune last year, Narendra Lagad has not put up Pesi Shroff for years. Nor was he destined to do so here! For Shroff developed cramps immediately after bringing Bonzer into third spot in the longest Classic, and was replaced by Appu on Nuclear Power. The Malvado colt atomized his rivals, giving Appu a double.

Finally, a plunge on Golden Dynasty gave Mansoor Shah a brace for the afternoon. Thrice unplaced in her brief career, this Gold Discovery filly was backed from a reported 10 to 1 in the morning down, down and down, so she ultimately started at 4 to 1. But then horses are entitled to improve in 21 days, are they not?

DARK LEGEND

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