Splendid Surprise does it again
M P Mahaesh trained Splendid Surprise trounced the opposition in the Gr 3 Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup which highlighted the races held at Bangalore on Sunday. Splendid Surprise, who has accumulated a bagful of big wins, has been on the boil for a longish period of time during which time the progeny of Steinbeck has also won the Mysore Derby and the Mysore Guineas.
By Sharan Kumar
M P Mahaesh trained Splendid Surprise has been a veritable money spinner. The five-year old who has won a bagful of races in his career, all of which are coveted events, once again produced his best when slamming the opposition in the Gr 1400 metres Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup, the star attraction of second day’s Bangalore Summer Races held on Sunday. The progeny of Steinbeck has been on the boil for a long time as each season he has bounced back with amazing quality of wins. Splendid Surprise, who has grossed over Rs 1 crores in stake money, has been consistent over a long period of time. The trainer deserves credit for obtaining optimum results.
The highest rated horse in the fray was Rhapsidion Snow who however has faltered in her first outing of each season. However, considering the quality of her performance during the just concluded Mumbai season, Rhapsidion Snow was installed the firm favourite as she was expected to overcome the lack of a race run as all other runners in the fray too had similar disadvantages.
Rhapsidion Snow who was taken on a start to finish mission by jockey Aadesh Kumar, failed to sustain her challenge beyond the distance past and surrendered meekly. Splendid Surprise who raced in about seventh or eighth position till entering the straight, came through with a flourishing run on the wide outside and skipped away from the field to win by a widening margin of four lengths. Reflection of Gold came from a long way back to finish an eye-catching second. Splendid Surprise ran on to be third while second favorite Originality found herself out of depth in this company. Tomsk too did not fare well. Possibly the ground which was cut up due to rain that preceded the race affected the performance of some of the runners as the conditions put a premium on fitness. In fact, the jockeys were not keen to ride in the last race of the day, citing bad underfoot conditions but the authorities were unrelenting and the last race was gone through. The conditions were surely not bad for racing to be halted.
Silken Thomas who was running for the first time after being gelded, fought a resolute battle with the front-running Spark of Class before prevailing in the 1200 metres M N Prakash Memorial Trophy (Div II). Tina’s Triumph moved form behind to displace the fancied Marcegalia for the third spot. Silken Thomas seems to be in good nick and can repeat now that his problems have been sorted out. Spark of Isis who had won two races as a juvenile, was backed to the exclusion of her rivals in the lower division of the race. Spark of Isis who had run about two and half lengths behind Originality who has now reached the highest class, proved too good for the field, checking in well clear of the opposition to win in great style. Perfect Analysis chased the winner without hope followed by Man United.
Just In Time appeared to have best credentials to win if only because the six year old mare Welcome Back was running after a longish absence from the track during which time the horse had missed the Bangalore Winter Season. However, Welcome Back showed no ill-effects of the absence form the track as she led form the start to check in well clear of Milagro and Fantabulous Hero in the Usha Stud Plate (Div I). Just In Time who was well placed, did not accelerate enough to make an impact on the result. The lower division of the race saw Enduring Star backed to the exclusion of his rivals though Lock And Load had the credentials and strong recent form to go by. In the event, Enduring Star led all the way of the seven furlong trip but slackened inside the final 100 metres and Lock And Load who was shadowing the front-runner, sailed clear to win with a measure of comfort. Spiritofexcellence flew home to finish an eye catching third ahead of Valid Expectation.
The well backed Lady Duff overhauled the front-running favourite Calypso Star to win the 1100 metres Mount Everest Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds. Lady Duff overcame the wide outside draw and won in the hands of jockey Jagadeesh.
The biggest gamble of the day came through Southern Gladiator who was backed down from a higher quote. Special Charm was the overwhelming favourite to win along with Rugged Beauty. Jockey Ryan Marshall bolted with Southern Gladiator and the progeny of Royal Gladiator managed to reach the safety of the winning post to win from rugged Beauty who was warming up late.
Brothers in Arms shot through the rails inside the final 200 metres and then won with something to spare, the 1200 metres Aureole Plate. The race had an open look about it though Brothers in Arms was the one which ended up as the favourite and he readily justified the support. In the day’s other action, Seven Star who was expected to win untroubled judging by the cramped odds quoted on her success, slackened in the closing stages of the race and Mister Trooper easily collared the front-runner close home.
By Sharan Kumar
M P Mahaesh trained Splendid Surprise has been a veritable money spinner. The five-year old who has won a bagful of races in his career, all of which are coveted events, once again produced his best when slamming the opposition in the Gr 1400 metres Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup, the star attraction of second day’s Bangalore Summer Races held on Sunday. The progeny of Steinbeck has been on the boil for a long time as each season he has bounced back with amazing quality of wins. Splendid Surprise, who has grossed over Rs 1 crores in stake money, has been consistent over a long period of time. The trainer deserves credit for obtaining optimum results.
The highest rated horse in the fray was Rhapsidion Snow who however has faltered in her first outing of each season. However, considering the quality of her performance during the just concluded Mumbai season, Rhapsidion Snow was installed the firm favourite as she was expected to overcome the lack of a race run as all other runners in the fray too had similar disadvantages.
Rhapsidion Snow who was taken on a start to finish mission by jockey Aadesh Kumar, failed to sustain her challenge beyond the distance past and surrendered meekly. Splendid Surprise who raced in about seventh or eighth position till entering the straight, came through with a flourishing run on the wide outside and skipped away from the field to win by a widening margin of four lengths. Reflection of Gold came from a long way back to finish an eye-catching second. Splendid Surprise ran on to be third while second favorite Originality found herself out of depth in this company. Tomsk too did not fare well. Possibly the ground which was cut up due to rain that preceded the race affected the performance of some of the runners as the conditions put a premium on fitness. In fact, the jockeys were not keen to ride in the last race of the day, citing bad underfoot conditions but the authorities were unrelenting and the last race was gone through. The conditions were surely not bad for racing to be halted.
Silken Thomas who was running for the first time after being gelded, fought a resolute battle with the front-running Spark of Class before prevailing in the 1200 metres M N Prakash Memorial Trophy (Div II). Tina’s Triumph moved form behind to displace the fancied Marcegalia for the third spot. Silken Thomas seems to be in good nick and can repeat now that his problems have been sorted out. Spark of Isis who had won two races as a juvenile, was backed to the exclusion of her rivals in the lower division of the race. Spark of Isis who had run about two and half lengths behind Originality who has now reached the highest class, proved too good for the field, checking in well clear of the opposition to win in great style. Perfect Analysis chased the winner without hope followed by Man United.
Just In Time appeared to have best credentials to win if only because the six year old mare Welcome Back was running after a longish absence from the track during which time the horse had missed the Bangalore Winter Season. However, Welcome Back showed no ill-effects of the absence form the track as she led form the start to check in well clear of Milagro and Fantabulous Hero in the Usha Stud Plate (Div I). Just In Time who was well placed, did not accelerate enough to make an impact on the result. The lower division of the race saw Enduring Star backed to the exclusion of his rivals though Lock And Load had the credentials and strong recent form to go by. In the event, Enduring Star led all the way of the seven furlong trip but slackened inside the final 100 metres and Lock And Load who was shadowing the front-runner, sailed clear to win with a measure of comfort. Spiritofexcellence flew home to finish an eye catching third ahead of Valid Expectation.
The well backed Lady Duff overhauled the front-running favourite Calypso Star to win the 1100 metres Mount Everest Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds. Lady Duff overcame the wide outside draw and won in the hands of jockey Jagadeesh.
The biggest gamble of the day came through Southern Gladiator who was backed down from a higher quote. Special Charm was the overwhelming favourite to win along with Rugged Beauty. Jockey Ryan Marshall bolted with Southern Gladiator and the progeny of Royal Gladiator managed to reach the safety of the winning post to win from rugged Beauty who was warming up late.
Brothers in Arms shot through the rails inside the final 200 metres and then won with something to spare, the 1200 metres Aureole Plate. The race had an open look about it though Brothers in Arms was the one which ended up as the favourite and he readily justified the support. In the day’s other action, Seven Star who was expected to win untroubled judging by the cramped odds quoted on her success, slackened in the closing stages of the race and Mister Trooper easily collared the front-runner close home.
Comments
Post a Comment