Youre So Beautiful springs a surprise
It was dream come true for trainer Neil Darashah as he led in his maiden classic winner through Youre So Beautiful who brought off a big upset in the Fernhill’s Palace Bangalore 1000 Guineas, the first classic of the season on Saturday. For a trainer who took up the reins from his father Zareer Darashah hardly two years ago, the classic success coming so early in his career is a tribute to his hard works as also for his confidence in his wards. Youre So Beautiful was a rank outsider as Gypsy Magic was considered near invincible but in keeping with the uncertainties of the sport, Youre So Beautiful won against the run of expectations. Jockey Suraj Narredu rode a peach of a race on the winner.
Gypsy Magic had all the credentials to win the first classic of the season as the filly had run behind some of the best horses in the country. But quite strangely, trainer Padmanabhan chose to entrust the horse to Appu who hasn’t been enjoying good success after a nasty fall a year ago and especially when the ``imported’’ jockey David Allan who had won a classic treble last year, was available. But in racing such strange decisions as the one taken by the trainer have often resulted in upset verdicts and the trainer surely will be ruing his decision. It is not that Appu is not a capable jockey but at this point of time, he is low on confidence and pressure told on his performance as his reins slipped with a furlong out which unbalanced him and he had to gather the horse all over again to get her going. Also he failed to take a striking position early on in what was a slow run race.
Captivating settled down to lead the way as the field settled down for the mile long trip with Mystic Quest, Youre So Beautiful racing in close attendance while Gypsy Magic was in about the fifth or sixth position along the rails, cramped for room. Alaric was on her outside while the others raced behind, with Desdemona who was sluggish at the start, gracing the rear.
Rounding the final turn, Captivating continued to maintain her supremacy even as Mystic Quest weakened to fade out of contention. Youre So Beautiful who was well positioned came through along side of Captivating to essay a strong challenge even as Appu was hard at work, with the slipped rein compounding his problems. Though Gypsy Magic covered ground with a flourish, Youre So Beautiful who had edged past the front runner had reached the safety of the winning post. A long neck and a neck separated the first three runners.
Apart from the classic success, Neil Darashah led in two more winners through Appolonaire and Glory Bound who were both guided by Suraj Narredu. Both these horses received inspired support in the ring and readily obliged. Spark of Jewel came in for strong support in the Saddle Up Plate (Div II) but the odds on Appolonaire came down drastically in the light of sustained support. Appolonaire bolted to the front from the word `go’ and had left the field stranded at the top of the straight to win as he pleased from Persian Rock and the well beaten favourite Spark of Jewel. However, the upper division of the race was won by Prasanna Kumar trained Spark of Ilderim who contained the challenge of Game Dancer close home. The well supported Noble Breeze failed to raise a winning gallop and plodded on to be third.
Glory Bound was backed to the exclusion of his rivals though Sparklingadvengture had his own share of supporters. Sparklingadvengture led all the way but was overhauled in the final stages of the race by Glory Bound who won quite capably Buck Passer Junior ran on to finish a noteworthy third.
Trainer Prasanna Kumar was also in the limelight as apart from Spark of Ilderim, he led in another winner through Spark of Gold who won the 1800 metres Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup, a race for horses 80 and above, quite impressively from top weighted Aristos who found the back breaking weight a stopper. Srinath was astride both the winners saddled by Prasanna. Though Aristos smoothly moved up to take charge of the proceedings at the final turn, he failed to sustain the effort till the winning post as the well performed Spark of Gold came up with his patented burst of speed to sail past the front runner in the shadow of the post. Desert Rule was a tame third. Timeless Treasure who received solid support in the ring on the basis of his third behind Celestial Way and the handicap advantage that he had, however, made no show.
Full brother to multi-classic winning Mystical, Star of Marmalade was backed to the exclusion of his rivals but he was beaten in the closing strides of the race by Oban who came up with a powerful run in win in thrilling fashion. Incredible won the lower division of the race by overhauling the front running favourite Glory to Dancer inside the final 100 metres.
Raptor Force had run poorly in his last outing but he was expected to have a bold show on the basis of the run benefit but he let down yet again, with a dismal effort. He reportedly came back lame. Spandau Ballet was powerfully ridden by Chris Hayes to hold off the challenge of Noble Kingdom. Raptor Force narrowly missed the second slot despite finishing on strongly.
In the race meant for the horses of inferior credentials, Alpha Baby proved immensely superior winning as she pleased from I Fancy You. Favourite Flying Flame was never in the hunt.
It was a day when nothing went right for the favourites as barring the concluding race, the rest of the races were won by lesser fancied runners.
Gypsy Magic had all the credentials to win the first classic of the season as the filly had run behind some of the best horses in the country. But quite strangely, trainer Padmanabhan chose to entrust the horse to Appu who hasn’t been enjoying good success after a nasty fall a year ago and especially when the ``imported’’ jockey David Allan who had won a classic treble last year, was available. But in racing such strange decisions as the one taken by the trainer have often resulted in upset verdicts and the trainer surely will be ruing his decision. It is not that Appu is not a capable jockey but at this point of time, he is low on confidence and pressure told on his performance as his reins slipped with a furlong out which unbalanced him and he had to gather the horse all over again to get her going. Also he failed to take a striking position early on in what was a slow run race.
Captivating settled down to lead the way as the field settled down for the mile long trip with Mystic Quest, Youre So Beautiful racing in close attendance while Gypsy Magic was in about the fifth or sixth position along the rails, cramped for room. Alaric was on her outside while the others raced behind, with Desdemona who was sluggish at the start, gracing the rear.
Rounding the final turn, Captivating continued to maintain her supremacy even as Mystic Quest weakened to fade out of contention. Youre So Beautiful who was well positioned came through along side of Captivating to essay a strong challenge even as Appu was hard at work, with the slipped rein compounding his problems. Though Gypsy Magic covered ground with a flourish, Youre So Beautiful who had edged past the front runner had reached the safety of the winning post. A long neck and a neck separated the first three runners.
Apart from the classic success, Neil Darashah led in two more winners through Appolonaire and Glory Bound who were both guided by Suraj Narredu. Both these horses received inspired support in the ring and readily obliged. Spark of Jewel came in for strong support in the Saddle Up Plate (Div II) but the odds on Appolonaire came down drastically in the light of sustained support. Appolonaire bolted to the front from the word `go’ and had left the field stranded at the top of the straight to win as he pleased from Persian Rock and the well beaten favourite Spark of Jewel. However, the upper division of the race was won by Prasanna Kumar trained Spark of Ilderim who contained the challenge of Game Dancer close home. The well supported Noble Breeze failed to raise a winning gallop and plodded on to be third.
Glory Bound was backed to the exclusion of his rivals though Sparklingadvengture had his own share of supporters. Sparklingadvengture led all the way but was overhauled in the final stages of the race by Glory Bound who won quite capably Buck Passer Junior ran on to finish a noteworthy third.
Trainer Prasanna Kumar was also in the limelight as apart from Spark of Ilderim, he led in another winner through Spark of Gold who won the 1800 metres Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup, a race for horses 80 and above, quite impressively from top weighted Aristos who found the back breaking weight a stopper. Srinath was astride both the winners saddled by Prasanna. Though Aristos smoothly moved up to take charge of the proceedings at the final turn, he failed to sustain the effort till the winning post as the well performed Spark of Gold came up with his patented burst of speed to sail past the front runner in the shadow of the post. Desert Rule was a tame third. Timeless Treasure who received solid support in the ring on the basis of his third behind Celestial Way and the handicap advantage that he had, however, made no show.
Full brother to multi-classic winning Mystical, Star of Marmalade was backed to the exclusion of his rivals but he was beaten in the closing strides of the race by Oban who came up with a powerful run in win in thrilling fashion. Incredible won the lower division of the race by overhauling the front running favourite Glory to Dancer inside the final 100 metres.
Raptor Force had run poorly in his last outing but he was expected to have a bold show on the basis of the run benefit but he let down yet again, with a dismal effort. He reportedly came back lame. Spandau Ballet was powerfully ridden by Chris Hayes to hold off the challenge of Noble Kingdom. Raptor Force narrowly missed the second slot despite finishing on strongly.
In the race meant for the horses of inferior credentials, Alpha Baby proved immensely superior winning as she pleased from I Fancy You. Favourite Flying Flame was never in the hunt.
It was a day when nothing went right for the favourites as barring the concluding race, the rest of the races were won by lesser fancied runners.
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