Six Speed just about does it

MUMBAI

THE FEMALE members of the 1997 crop have already shown themselves to be superior to their male counterparts. The best pair is clearly the Poonawalla-bred Six Speed and the Usha-bred Allaire, both from the all-conquering stables of Darius Byramji in Bangalore. From their previous clashes, it seems clear that on a galloping track with a long straight, Six Speed is the superior up to 1400m, and perhaps a shade further on a tighter track. At longer distances, Allaire is undoubtedly the better prospect.

In the days leading up to the first of the season's classics, the Kingfisher Indian 1000 Guineas, it appeared that the pair would cross swords in the race, as their connections seemed adamant that they would not forego the opportunity. Later, it transpired that they had wisely decided to split forces, with Allaire kept in reserve for the Kingfisher Indian 2000 Guineas (set down for decision tomorrow).

Thus Six Speed was assumed to be invincible in the ``1000'', more so as she was coming off a win over a metric mile, and had already displayed her prowess at Mahalakshmi. An odds-on choice, she did oblige but it was the closest of things and only the fortuitous bob of her nose gained her the prize. With the benefit of hindsight, one can point to the rousing that Six Speed had needed to prevail, both in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas as well as last season in the Poonawalla Breeders Million, as being evidence that her stamina was being tested severely on both occasions.

Here it was the very consistent Lady Moura who took on Six Speed in the straight, and only just failed to make it. While being disappointed at the photo verdict, the connections of the former were pleased at her excellent showing. Just over four lengths in arrears came Star Shine, who will benefit from the longer trip of the Indian Oaks next month. Although the winning rider, Pesi Shroff, hinted his ward would take part in that race next, he was surely jesting as it is inconceivable on her pedigree that Six Speed would win over 2,400m, unless half a dozen rivals go on holiday!

Earlier, on Thursday, the first of the eight meetings programmed on the All-Weather track was held. As in earlier years, the track had a manifest speed bias and almost all the eight races fell to front runners, or ``early'' types.

Scandalous is a daughter of Steinbeck from a well-bred American mare and ought to have been gracing the higher classes by now. Unfortunately, she is blind in her left eye and wears a shield. This has restricted her appearances to just four prior to this start. Entrusted to Ronald - the stable's regular work rider - Scandalous was quickly in the lead after angling in from the start, and did not give the hard-ridden Mischievous Times any opportunity to catch up. Jaggi Dhariwal thus emphasized his prowess with three-year-olds.

The lower division, run half an hour earlier, fell to Desert Moon, who has been late in getting to the races. The Bairn filly was making only her second start at Mumbai, and recorded her maiden win when pegging back that regular feature on most racedays, High Voltage. S.S. Bhati handled Neville Umrigar's ward.

Zameer Sayyed has not been too successful of late and went through the Pune meeting aboard 91 consecutive losers. As such, it came as a surprise when his mount, Amber Wine, was sent out as the public choice after shoals of money had come in on this modest performer. Predictably, she was nowhere. In new ownership, Cotopaxi set for home in front and for once did not flag, giving Adil Dajee a winner. E. Lobow astride runner-up Evening In Paris was least interested in challenging the leader and paid the price by way of a suspension.

Those who looked up the form book would have noted that trainer Robert De Mellow had campaigned Momentous Mover in the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby. Although unplaced there, this was a clear indication of the esteem in which he was held and the Broto gelding came through an opening on the rails to score.

Nine maidens, mostly of modest pedigree, clashed in the Littleover Trophy. Niall McCullagh took the once-raced Calpurnia to the front and was tackled by B. Prakash on the odds-on first- timer, Abbeydoran. In a close run affair, the more experienced runner, who had the advantage of the rails, held off her rival by half a length. C.D. Katrak trains the winner. Rhythm Divine was a faraway third.

The track record set by Calpurnia lasted only half an hour. In a real humdinger of a finish, Yewall displayed immense resolution under the severest pressure in getting up to nose out Phrwaxshi, a winner everywhere but at the post. Sunderji's ward recorded the splendid time of 0:59.86 for the 1000m, a new mark. Rajendra rode like one inspired.

A clever coup of sorts was pulled off on Among Men. By putting up F. Aaron, astute trainer Dhariwal gained a reduction of 2.5 kg. in the impost his ward had to carry, and the Green Forest gelding made no mistake, thereby notching up the third win of his career. Rebounding Ray's late flourish got her the second spot. Dhariwal thus recorded a double, a welcome birthday present for this popular schooler.

Sunday began at the unearthly hour of 12 noon with two divisions of the Class IV race. As Hanut Singh has started his new career as a trainer on a promising note, the support for Winawin was clearly justified, more so as there was little by way of opposition. Whipless apprentice S. Nayak did duty. In the upper division, Fargo - a tendon case - showed his new trainer, Narendra Lagad, had patched him up to good effect by scoring. As he returned sound, there is a fair chance he could repeat.

For some unknown reason, there was a huge plunge on Miss Sunshine in the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart.) Trophy, which saw the once-raced daughter of Mischevious Music drop in price to start as the favourite. Warrior Queen led by lengths but became leg- weary in the straight to finish third - she is a certainty in a maiden. Meanwhile, Razeen's winning daughter, Over The Ocean, laid claim to classic aspirations by running away with the race from Chili Lady, who had been wide rounding the turn. Dallas Todywalla handles Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy's juvenile, steered as usual by B. Prakash.

A quick double for the same combination was aided by the travails of on-money choice, Piccolina. The striking grey winner of the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby was fractious and banged her jaw against the unyielding frame of the starting gate. This resulted in the loss of a tooth and bleeding injuries, thus necessitating her withdrawal. In her absence, Deccan Derby victress Perceived Value had little to do to annex the Homi Mody Trophy from the luckless Audible. She will now be trained for what promises to be a most interesting renewal of the Indian Oaks in January.

Successful at her debut on this track earlier this year, Mosaic had rather lost her way after an abortive attempt on valuable events down South. Back at Mahalakshmi, she was offered at a shade of odds-on and justified that quotation with a bloodless victory over 2,000m. For her pains, she was jumped up substantially in the rating. That probably won't prevent the Imtiaz Sait trainee from recording another win before long.

A late-bloomer, Blue Blood has not had too much racing even though almost six years of age. This was only the sixth public appearance for Rehanullah Khan's ward, and he scooted to his third victory. Even though it was a big field, the element of competitiveness seemed lacking, with only Maltese Falcon putting in the semblance of a challenge.

Apart from the classic, the day's closest finish in a handicap came in the upper division of the Class 3 event. Streaking Senorita justified her sobriquet by streaking to the front in the sprint event, then was tackled - and passed - by Voice Of Freedom. In a rare set-to, the gutsy daughter of Young Senor came back and snatched a nostril verdict. Mallesh Narredu on the victress and Mark Gallagher demonstrated their prowess in the saddle.

DARK LEGEND

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