Astral Flash bounces back to top form
Pesi Shroff trained Astral Flash who was overshadowed by stablemate Jacqueline on three occasions at Mumbai, came into her own when she trounced the opposition in the Dhamaprakasha L S Venkaji Rao Memorial Cup (Div I), the feature event of Saturday’s races. The Usha Stud Farm bred got-abroad filly had the opposition stranded inside the final furlong when checking in well clear of the late rallying Atlantus in a smart time of one minute 25.58 seconds. Seven year old Jersey Pride showed zest when making the most of a weak opposition to win the lower division of the race in a convincing manner. Jersey Pride’s win came against the run of expectations as he returned a dividend of over 100 to 1 on the tote.
There was no doubting Astral Flash’s class. However, she had run below par in the Indian Derby after three runner-up efforts behind the wonder filly Jacqueline. That put a question mark as to whether she has had gone sour. She had the benefit of an easy mock race but she showed to be a different proposition on Saturday. After being held back in about the fifth position as Ashkan and Another Destiny set the pace, Astral Flash showed up on the wide outside and then left the field flat footed in the final furlong to win as she pleased from Atlantus and Einstein.
Sparkling Adventure, who had earned a bagful of wins in winter, was well supported to win though Corbett with inferior credentials was backed down with more conviction. In the event, it was rank outsider Jersey Pride who showed his old spark when leading the way and winning with something to spare form Sparkling Adventure who was undone by the fast pace set by Spot On. The Hyderabad challenger’s foray in the front was cut short by the eventual winner in the final furlong. Spot On, however, nosed out In the Zone for the third slot.
Laxman Singh trained Arya Veer recorded a smashing win in the 1400 metres Glorious Colours Plate (Div I), a race for three-year old maidens. Backed to the exclusion of his rivals, Arya Veer led all the way and then stretched away from the opposition to win by a widening margin of seven lengths over Work Forcce and Vernostonus. Arya Veer appears a good type of youngster and if he keeps his form going, he should enjoy a glorious stint back home.
Prasanna Kumar’s Spark of Atan was another impressive winner of the day. The three-year old progeny of Placerville tracked Elite Land into the straight and then assumed command to beat the opposition pointless. The favourite Athabasca Star was outpaced in the early part and when she found foot, she had too much of leeway to cover. Elite Land ended up third after a good forward run. Gluteus Maximus received big support in the ring but his effort fell woefully short of expectations.
Angelfire has been an enigmatic performer. She has not lived up to the promise she gave in her first season but nevertheless, looked a cut above the rest in the 1400 metres Speaker’s Cup. The Speaker’s Cup had always served as a lead up race for classics but this year, the field was pretty mediocre, with not a single three year old in the fray. Angelfire had no problem in staving off the challenge of Topkapi who should make amends next time out. There was a cluster finish, with just a length separating the second, third, fourth and fifth placed horses. For the record, Star Presence ran third ahead of Star Assembly.
The most impressive winner of the day was debutant Carla who won the 1200 metres Divine Light Plate in an excellent time of one minute 13.05 seconds, possibly the best by a first timer in recent times. Carla tackled the front running Foswell at the top of the straight and then went sailing clear to win by a distance. South African jockey Sampson had nothing much to do on the three year old filly who should make swift progress on the handicap scale.
The odds on Couleur Rouge drifted surprisingly in the ring but in the race itself, the filly gave no anxious moments to her supporters by easily having the measure of Moves Goodenough to claim the Bhishma Plate (Div I). The rest of the runners were stranded way behind. Rank outsider Its My Party came up with a flourish on the wide outside to edge out Art Connoisseur in the final furlong to win the lower division of the race. Favourite Amber Star was not sighted.
There was no doubting Astral Flash’s class. However, she had run below par in the Indian Derby after three runner-up efforts behind the wonder filly Jacqueline. That put a question mark as to whether she has had gone sour. She had the benefit of an easy mock race but she showed to be a different proposition on Saturday. After being held back in about the fifth position as Ashkan and Another Destiny set the pace, Astral Flash showed up on the wide outside and then left the field flat footed in the final furlong to win as she pleased from Atlantus and Einstein.
Sparkling Adventure, who had earned a bagful of wins in winter, was well supported to win though Corbett with inferior credentials was backed down with more conviction. In the event, it was rank outsider Jersey Pride who showed his old spark when leading the way and winning with something to spare form Sparkling Adventure who was undone by the fast pace set by Spot On. The Hyderabad challenger’s foray in the front was cut short by the eventual winner in the final furlong. Spot On, however, nosed out In the Zone for the third slot.
Laxman Singh trained Arya Veer recorded a smashing win in the 1400 metres Glorious Colours Plate (Div I), a race for three-year old maidens. Backed to the exclusion of his rivals, Arya Veer led all the way and then stretched away from the opposition to win by a widening margin of seven lengths over Work Forcce and Vernostonus. Arya Veer appears a good type of youngster and if he keeps his form going, he should enjoy a glorious stint back home.
Prasanna Kumar’s Spark of Atan was another impressive winner of the day. The three-year old progeny of Placerville tracked Elite Land into the straight and then assumed command to beat the opposition pointless. The favourite Athabasca Star was outpaced in the early part and when she found foot, she had too much of leeway to cover. Elite Land ended up third after a good forward run. Gluteus Maximus received big support in the ring but his effort fell woefully short of expectations.
Angelfire has been an enigmatic performer. She has not lived up to the promise she gave in her first season but nevertheless, looked a cut above the rest in the 1400 metres Speaker’s Cup. The Speaker’s Cup had always served as a lead up race for classics but this year, the field was pretty mediocre, with not a single three year old in the fray. Angelfire had no problem in staving off the challenge of Topkapi who should make amends next time out. There was a cluster finish, with just a length separating the second, third, fourth and fifth placed horses. For the record, Star Presence ran third ahead of Star Assembly.
The most impressive winner of the day was debutant Carla who won the 1200 metres Divine Light Plate in an excellent time of one minute 13.05 seconds, possibly the best by a first timer in recent times. Carla tackled the front running Foswell at the top of the straight and then went sailing clear to win by a distance. South African jockey Sampson had nothing much to do on the three year old filly who should make swift progress on the handicap scale.
The odds on Couleur Rouge drifted surprisingly in the ring but in the race itself, the filly gave no anxious moments to her supporters by easily having the measure of Moves Goodenough to claim the Bhishma Plate (Div I). The rest of the runners were stranded way behind. Rank outsider Its My Party came up with a flourish on the wide outside to edge out Art Connoisseur in the final furlong to win the lower division of the race. Favourite Amber Star was not sighted.
Guess which jockey was the only one to break with protocol and instead of waiting to shake hands with Guest Of Honour Ian Balding - took a sharp right to join his connections? That's right - Classic-winning Ryan Moore.
ReplyDelete1525: Right. It's time to go and have a look at the Derby horses. Bet Aidan has his in the parade ring nice and early. What do you think?
1518: Fallon hasn't missed out on the Dash winner - but nearly did. Hawkeyethenoo rattles home but can't quite get to Bertoliver.
1515: Breaking news - Kieren Fallon is here - in a blue shirt. Not even a hint of back sweat despite his journey from hell.
1512: Jilly Cooper is here. She also loves the game. Never read one of her novels but having recently joined my local library that could change. There were only 11 books on the fiction shelf and three of those were hers.
1510: Apparently the traffic around here is still very bad - not encouraging for my own attempts to get a good getaway ahead of the four hour chug north.
1506: Fallon must be here by 1545 to take the ride on Al Zir.
1504: No Fallon for our next either - Ted Durcan takes over on Hawkeyethenoo. The Derby is at 1600 - what's the latest time he can get here to weigh out for that?
1502: Jeremy Kyle is here. My only celebrity spot. Not even seen Anton Du Beke today.
1500: Dash coming up. I love the Dash. They'll thunder down the track on this ground. I've backed Captain Dunne and Oldjoesaid who both ran crackers in it last year.
1455: Frankie Dettori admits even he has big-race nerves day. You certainly sense Godolphin feel they have a genuine Derby contender in Rewilding.
1447: Ryan Moore and William Buick picked up two-day bans after the opener for careless riding.
1446: A roar from the crowd for Frankie Dettori's flying dismount. Kieren Fallon is stuck in traffic - he needs police outriders. There's a few free now our Prime Minister doesn't want them.
1444: Like me Antara takes too long to get going. Fine Dettori ride aboard your winner Antara.
1440: Dubawi Gold is also heading to Ascot - despite his defeat in the Woodcote. Michael Dods said: "He just didn't hand;e hte track and that was my concern. You could see him struggling coming down the hull. All being well he'll go for the Coventry and the track should suit him there".
1439: I know one of the owners of Excel Bolt who has booked his trip to Royal Ascot by winning over at Musselburgh. I'm there this year too. Keep scanning the Telegraph announcements section but no mention of it yet.
1432: Jockey change - Kieren Fallon hasn't arrived at Epsom yet so Alan Munro takes over on Please Sing. No reason given for the delay in the former champion getting here.
1430: I'm quite sweet on Reggane to beat Antara in the next. Vive la France! Never thought I'd say that after the pepper spray incident of 2006.
1425: Aidan O'Brien just walked the track with his team. He was striding out well. No plans for High Award. they'll just wait for the Coolmore team to decide where he slots into their plans.
1417: Right - going news - well the jockeys'verdict after the opener. Ryan Moore says "fast", Paul Hanagan "fast but safe", Jimmy Fortune "firm", Jamie Spencer "fast side of good" and Paul Mulrennan "lovely down the straight".
1414: Dubawi Gold runs well given how hard he pulled in the race but he can't get anywhere near High Award. Good ride from the front from Johnny Murtagh, they were going no pace in the early stages so he took advantage.
to be conti---next