Bonzer wins in record time

HYDERABAD

THE ARRIVAL of Bonzer at Malakpet was a warm homecoming as the large crowd cheered the champion. Here was one horse who could hold his head amongst the best of other centres. His initiation and grooming started at Malakpet where he went on to claim the Colts Trial Stakes and the Deccan Derby at last year's Monsoon season. At the winter meeting he won the Golconda 2000 Guineas and TheHindu Golconda Derby Stakes. He now centres in Western India, and recently picked up the Bangalore St. Leger.

The line up for this year's Nizam's Gold Cup over 2,000m never posed any serious problems for Bonzer, who was a cut above horses like All Game, Alameda, Audible and Golden Goal, all from Bangalore. In the paddock, Bonzer suddenly stopped in his strides and majestically looked on either side as if to say ``These surroundings are familiar. I have been here before''. The only possible chink in Bonzer's armour was perhaps the shorter distance, compared to the 2,800m St. Leger he was trained for.

The sheer class of a good horse always shows out. And Bonzer proved it. In a fast clip that was set up by Audible, Shroff had the Khaitan colours all around him, Aslam Kader tracking just behind on Alameda, the second favourite. The final turn made the front horses leave a wide gap. Experienced Pesi Shroff waited like a sly fox to take the gap. The usual opening of the jet valves on Bonzer was missing due to the sudden drop in distance, but sheer class, carried this son of Green Forest who had to exert a bit to keep his hold. Audible made a splendid effort to last out the trip after leading throughout. Along with All Game and Golden Goal the three closed the gap on the winner.

Bonzer cut the fastest time since inception of the Nizam's Gold Cup in 1972 at Malakpet a time of 2.6-1/5 sec. This was a fraction slower than the record set by him of 2.6 sec in the Deccan Derby last year which is a record on the monsoon course. Bonzer stays here to run in the President of India Gold Cup.

The supporting cup event, a terms race over 2,000m for Cat II runners, was well in favour of Mr. Anil who had no problems with his six rivals. Taking the lead on the turn itself, Samad made a neat job to win by over three lengths. Clear Mandate who switched direction to the outside made a vain attempt, filled the second spot, the third time that he has took that position. The consistency should pay shortly. Indian Knight a 5 year old pushed his way and fell 1/2 length short of Clear Mandate. This run shows his improved form and punters should make a note.

A close second to Schumacher on the fourth day, Xiphoid strode away by a distance under M.Chauhan giving this jockey and trainer KSV Prasad Raju their first victory of the season. Xiphoid is a half brother to Fabulous Find and should be able to pick a few races along the way. The Satheesh trained Skimble racing for the first time made all the right moves to land up second. This daughter of Ajaad will be hard to toss, the run has given her the right momentum to launch herself into the winners circle.

The combination of trainer Vatsalya and Ravinder Singh won the last two races. The Imdad Jah owned filly Venus Star struck a fine note and impressed with her smashing win over Cordon Rose who beat her in their last outing. Venus Star's surge in form was eye catching when she led all the way in this 1,600m race, powering ahead in style to give her owners a slight indication of taking a chance in the Fillies Trial which is only a week away. Another 3 year old Cadre without much assistance from Ananda took the second place.

The other win was achieved with greater effort as Ravinder Singh had to bring out the best from Ancient who placed off board last time. This tall jockey needed all his strength to hold the son of Maratha Lancer to his task, beating top weight Somerset. It may have been the tongue strap that was fixed on Ancient that made this 5 year old produce this run.

The vastly improved Lord Ivor who is on a roll picked his second win in as many starts, leading this 1,400m race with KPG Appu back in the saddle after his short break from riding due to an injury. The son of Tiajuana had to be driven out to maintain his 100 per cent record. As his ratings go up it will be interesting to see how good this gelding will turn out. The maiden Classic Clan in open company made a fine effort to fill the second spot but during the closing stages barged into Explosive Bid. The Maidens race should be a cinch for Classic Clan on this run.

Having being dropped back to qualify for Cat III races, Dormancy proved that the move was just what trainer Figredo wanted. This 6 year old gelding seized the opportunity immediately to beat the inferior company by a comfortable margin. Sucker Punch coming from last spot spurted past Cheers N' Cheers and Grand Appeal to edge them out and take the runner up position.

On Sunday we had on view the second fastest horse of the country, So Royal who was one of the six runners in the A.P. Governors Cup, a pure weight for age event. So Royal had finished second to Polar Falcon in the Sprinters Cup held in Bangalore in April this year. It was good to see Specialist and Placid (runners from Pune) add pep to the three from Bangalore - So Royal the favourite, Tempt Me Not and Artwork. Though So Royal did some smart work outs, nothing can replace a good solid run in an event.

Since So Royal did not race during the Bangalore summer meeting, leaving a longish gap before venturing into this cup race. So Royal tracked leader Specialist most of the way. Appu gained the upperhand turning for home and took the shortest route. It was then that one noticed how badly So Royal needed this gallop as the son of Tiajuana shortened his strides as the post appeared which allowed Artwork, Placid and Tempt Me Not to pounce closer to the favourite who held on in a tight battle and closed the issue with a 3/4 length victory. The job was done, though narrowly but this race will sharpen So Royal to the extent that future results will be gained in easier fashion.

For the second day running jockey Ravinder Singh had another brilliant afternoon steering a treble, two of which were for trainer Rafaat Hussain who is at the moment having a great start to the season. In the opener, Moonlight Prince showed that his last time second was no flash in the pan. Ravinder Singh had to use all his armoury including the stick to reach home by 1/2 length from a desperate bid by Moghalsarai who is now picking up form.

Though Janus had a slightly better performance, she had to settle once again in second spot as the vastly improved Gardez from Faiyaz Shaikh's yard produced a rousing gallop and left the maiden ranks. This Manju Meadows bred filly is a decent sort and could win a few, if the right races are picked for her. Heezlethal ran a promising race after being in a forward position, he slipped back and returned with a renewed run.Can be persisted with.

Ravinder Singh gained his next win rather easily. He had no problems or anxiety to counter when riding the Rafaat Hussain trained Chilling, a Green Forest filly who is smoothly striking with each run. This 3 year old should be followed till beaten. Chilling overtook leader Fandy Design on a tight rein to win by 5 lengths. The latter who is a grey is matching up to his full potential and will be in the running for the first spot when she is brought out next. Fire Spark was a great disappointment after his close second to Run High. He never showed any interest in the race and Samad also gave up the chase.

The objection going in his favour last time, Golden Turn had to prove a point by a decisive and clear cut victory. Carrying bottom weight in the Grand Parade Cup over 1,600m, Golden Turn was available as second favourite at 2 1/2 to 1 with the younger Bette Noir clinching the top spot in the bookmakers ring. Appu had the Mr. Rangarajan owned filly in fifth place and one felt that he could have been closer to the front runners since she was giving weight to all except Mind Game. Ridden by the young and up and coming crack rider of Western India, B. Prakash, Golden Turn made the early break and let the others chase him. The mare answered to her jockey without any hesitation to pick up this cup event by a shortening margin as Bette Noir did have to cover over three to four lengths. She made a brave effort but the winning post came in time for Golden Turn, Appu had to face defeat by 1/2 length. The D'Silva filly can be persisted with under the circumstances.

The first hat-trick of the season went to the brilliant and in- form 3 year old Hutan. Trainer Rafaat Hussain taking full advantage of his irresistible winning streak has picked the right races for this son of Locked Away. Another smooth effort from the saddle by jockey Ravinder Singh completed the treble and gave Hutan the required assistance to pull away from the top of the straight, winning by a comfortable margin. Gold Chunk is flying into contention though keeping wayward under Samad. He is ready to strike. Royal Salute is another that can knock at the doors of success very soon.

In the last race two horses were withdrawn, Finnigan Terrace and Sun Girl. Both were fractious at the gate, the former was withdrawn on Vet grounds while the latter's jockey M. Pyaru was injured inside the stalls. The favourite Temoozin was handled with some suspicion. After a slow jump out Ravinder Singh's efforts were feeble during the early stages.

The sudden urge to improve his position must have eventually told on this colt's final effort where he could manage only the fourth place. Jam-I- Jamshid carrying top weight pulled the wool over the others, Ritesh guiding this Shamsuddin gelding to a length win over Vision of Sound who made a late charge, ending up behind the winner.

ARIEN

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