Sport
-
Racing : Horse
Queenscliff sparkles in HSBC Salver
By Dark Legend
MUMBAI, JAN. 3. For horse racing fans, the feature of the period under review was the 1400m Hongkong Bank Salver, a richly-endowed terms event for older horses sponsored by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (for fans of Formula-1 racing, it was a Jaguar F-1 race car on display at the HSBC pavilion at the Mahalakshmi Racecourse that grabbed all the attention!).
Although 17 were declared to start, Zephyr Bay splayed a plate necessitating his withdrawal. It was one of the Deepak Khaitan-owned trio, Afilado, that led into the straight. Thereafter, Daring Don attempted to grab the lead, but by this time Strengthtostrength was in full flight, and shaped as the winner.
His followers, however, were stunned when joint favourite Queenscliff unwound a sparkling run to prevail under P. Kamlesh. The daughter of Razeen sported the Khushroo Dhunjibhoy colours and was saddled by C.D. Katrak. She was coming off a third-placed effort in the McDowell Indian 1000 Guineas just nine days earlier.
The afternoon's action had begun with Sanquirico staking a claim to Derby honours with a facile victory over 2400m. The fluent manner in which the Dhariwal-trainee disposed of the useful Avantage hinted at better things to come. At least, he will be one candidate for the Derby guaranteed to stay the trip. Positive reports emanated from the connections after the event, with confidence running high that the son of Twist And Turn would surely finish on the board on the first Sunday of February.
A good type of youngster emerged from the maiden ranks on his debut. This was the chestnut son of Diffident, Rosmini. Named after an Italian gentleman, the Katrak-trained 2/y/o was sent out at half-money and obliged in the expected manner. Niall McCullagh had an armchair ride on the Poonawalla-bred.
Runner-up River Rainbow hung repeatedly. With more seasoning, he will be a certain winner of a maiden later this term.
Quite a few of the 14 in contention for the Class IV event over the metric mile seemed poised to gain the edge at different points in the race, but it was the unfancied Adam's Delight that streaked through to oblige at over 20 to 1. Wine 'N Song made a belated bid towards the close, and ended runner-up.
On Sunday, yet another son of Diffident, Star Councillor, made a pleasing first appearance in a 1400m maiden event. The striking brown colt led from the start, and then was passed momentarily by Mandalay Bay. With an unexpected display of resolution, the Dallas Todywalla-trainee pulled out that little extra to ultimately score going away under B. Prakash. The connections of Mandalay Bay, who had to be content with occupying the runner-up slot, felt he had run out of stamina and would be better at up to 1200m.
Aureus was all the rage in the 1800m H.R. Shantidas Trophy, what with the proverbial `postage stamp' impost of 43kg on her back. Young J. Chinoy erred in not exploiting his modest burden, he perhaps ought to have taken the lead early and dared the rest to catch up. Instead, Victory March, despite the 59kg on her back, was able to lengthen her strides and go away for a fine victory, with Aureus a tame second.
Somewhat short of winners after a fine Pune season, Shiraz Sunderji fired in a quick double. First, Destiny Calling disposed of some decent rivals with a late effort in the Class III handicap. Gallagher rode an excellent waiting race and took full advantage of the capitulation of Dazzling Gold, who raced with his head in the air and fizzled to fourth. Dhanasri and Soviet Fire followed the winner home.
Half an hour later, the hot fancy, Top Gun, was seen to be under severe pressure midway up the home stretch, as Green Paradise threatened to upset in the 1000m Ranjit V. Bhat Memorial Gold Trophy. Aslam Kader pulled out all stops to enable the odds- on choice to trigger the magic eye in his favour. It has to be said the trip was far too short for the high class got-abroad, whose pedigree suggests he will get the metric mile.
Salt Lake just made it over 1600m in a manner that suggested 2000m or more is what he wants. The Mallya-owned son of Dark Nile had to be pressed by Pesi Shroff and to the relief of the majority of punters got home by half a length from Quick Decision.
Sporting owner Mr. N. Gulamhussein, who spends much of his time abroad, was pleased to lead in a second winner in as many race-days when Adam's Touch came through to deny Courtesan. Accademia had done little to warrant favouritism, and was a tame third. Her rider, Gallagher, was adjudged to have tightened The Flying Star, whose rider fell. For this, he was given a couple of days off.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sport
|
