Sun Kingdom comes into classic reckoning
The Gr 2 Juvenile Million has always been a pointer to the summer classics as the best horses of the centre take part in this highly competitive race for three-year olds. This year’s edition was no exception as the best of the local centre were in the fray along with Mumbai’s Sunset Boulevard who enjoyed tremendous hype. The race did not run the way most expected as reputations went for a toss and new ones were made at the end of a gripping one minutes 25.52 seconds action as Sun Kingdom recorded a smashing win. Foreign Exchange who was widely considered as the best three year old at Bangalore, ran way below par as he finished down the field while Sunset Boulevard who was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, ran out of steam after leading all the way into the final stages of the race. Awarding who was conceding weight to all her adversaries, did her reputation no harm while finishing a game second ahead of a well beaten Sunset Boulevard.
Reputations in racing are as fragile as glass as revealed by the result of the race. Foreign Exchange had made a smashing debut over seven furlongs in winter and since he was also well bred, he was widely expected to make swift progress during the season and make a mark in the classics. Sunset Boulevard, coming as she did form the stables of champion trainer Pesi Shroff, was expected to set the track on fire as she appeared to be spot on for the race. Awarding was the highest rated and best performed three-year old at this centre but she did not receive the attention reserved for such a performer. Sun Kingdom, who had won his only outing in winter in fine fashion, was also not enthusiastically supported. Hyderabad’s Vijay Monarch was attempting to build a reputation for himself.
Jockey B Prakash could not ease Sunset Boulevard behind horses in the early part of the horse as the daughter of Bachelor Duke shot into the lead and set a fast pace followed by Cavalry Charge, Awarding, Vijay Monarch, Sun Kingdom, Foreign Exchange, Moon Star and Mystic Dawn. Sunset Boulevard skipped away on straightening but it was clear inside the final furlong that her front running tactics had taken a toll on her stamina as she was losing pace rapidly. Awarding came up alongside to essay a strong challenge even as Suraj Narredu got busy on Sun Kingdom who was enthusiastically responding to his master’s call. The son of Royal Kingdom quickened nicely in the closing stages of the race to win with a great measure of comfort from Awarding and the well beaten Sunset Boulevard. Foreign Exchange was sighted long after the front runners had pulled up after the winning post. Foreign Exchange’s run was too bad to be true and one could not figure out why he dished out such a doleful performance. By virtue of her fine second despite carrying top weight, Awarding comes into strong contention for the Fillies Trial Stakes as she is bound to relish the extended trip of mile. Though Sunset Boulevard is bred to last out at least up to a mile, needs to curb her tendency to expend her energy by her tear away tactics.
Two of the possible contenders of the Fillies Trial Stakes were in the fray in the Star Contender Plate (Div I). Eagle Claws was backed down to strong favoritism on the basis of her runaway debut win but she was hard pressed to win from Siachen who was conceding weight to her. Eagle Claws had a smooth run along the rails and was brought the shortest way home while Siachen came a little wide at the bend. Both these horses battled out resolutely but the favourite held on to win by a short neck. Hyderabad’s Kohinoor Wish ran on to finish third ahead of Batista who packed up when the race came to a boil. Immense who ran in the lower division of the race, was a more impressive winner than Eagle Claws. Immense led all the way and then skipped away to win from the strongly backed Tempus Fugit. Ballibay was well positioned to launch an assault but packed up under pressure. The progeny of Gasawar, Immense clocked a smart time of one minute 25.88 seconds.
Jockey Prakash was astride quite a few favorites but he was unsuccessful on all his engagements. To make matters worse, Prakash reported sick before the commencement of eighth race but the club doctor who had certified him medically unfit to ride on Saturday, declared him fit to ride and he had to fulfill his engagement on favourite Cruising. The 48 hour disqualification rule did not apply to Prakash as the doctor had certified him not fit to ride on Saturday and the jockey had expressed his intent to ride. On this occasion, the doctor was not ready to buy any argument and asked the jockey to ride. Prakash came and rode Cruising but his driving finish was not good enough to get the better of Bhagirathi who had seized the initiative inside the final 300 metres and held on gamely to win the race. This was the third win for Bhagirathi in four outings. After making her debut more than a year ago, Bhagirathi had been laid low by a knee chip injury but ever since she returned to racing last winter, she has been on the boil. Going by today’s win, she can repeat. Stone of Destiny ran on to be third while Bucephalas lost a distance at the start.
Puttanna trained Valahak pulled of a win at nourishing odds in the Prince Khartoum Trophy (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. La Clique came in for sustained support but the favourite shot his bolt when Valahak applied pressure in the closing stages of the race. Valahak pulled away from his opponent to record a comfortable win. The progeny of Brave Act, Aztec Gold left the field stranded as he led all the way and won with a great deal of comfort from Nessie in the lower division of the race.
Ganapathy’s String Along recorded an impressive win in the Ministerial Trophy, a seven furlong race for three-year old maidens. String Along began to separate herself from the rest at the top of the straight and checked in by a widening margin of five lengths over Con Artiste. Delight of Asia who was strongly supported to win, was prominent till turning for home but disappeared without a trace. Delight of Asia appears to be pretty run of the mill.
Ordained One had to be driven out to the maximum to contain the challenge of Rezoom to win the mile long Romantic Dancer Plate. Ordained One, who was running for the first time after being gelded, was expected to score easily but Rezoom put up a dogged resistance. The winning post came to the rescue of Ordained One whose reserves appeared to be fast dwindling.
There was a shocker in the day’s opener as unfancied Yes We Can managed to get the better of My Musketeer to start the day on a disastrous note for punters.
Reputations in racing are as fragile as glass as revealed by the result of the race. Foreign Exchange had made a smashing debut over seven furlongs in winter and since he was also well bred, he was widely expected to make swift progress during the season and make a mark in the classics. Sunset Boulevard, coming as she did form the stables of champion trainer Pesi Shroff, was expected to set the track on fire as she appeared to be spot on for the race. Awarding was the highest rated and best performed three-year old at this centre but she did not receive the attention reserved for such a performer. Sun Kingdom, who had won his only outing in winter in fine fashion, was also not enthusiastically supported. Hyderabad’s Vijay Monarch was attempting to build a reputation for himself.
Jockey B Prakash could not ease Sunset Boulevard behind horses in the early part of the horse as the daughter of Bachelor Duke shot into the lead and set a fast pace followed by Cavalry Charge, Awarding, Vijay Monarch, Sun Kingdom, Foreign Exchange, Moon Star and Mystic Dawn. Sunset Boulevard skipped away on straightening but it was clear inside the final furlong that her front running tactics had taken a toll on her stamina as she was losing pace rapidly. Awarding came up alongside to essay a strong challenge even as Suraj Narredu got busy on Sun Kingdom who was enthusiastically responding to his master’s call. The son of Royal Kingdom quickened nicely in the closing stages of the race to win with a great measure of comfort from Awarding and the well beaten Sunset Boulevard. Foreign Exchange was sighted long after the front runners had pulled up after the winning post. Foreign Exchange’s run was too bad to be true and one could not figure out why he dished out such a doleful performance. By virtue of her fine second despite carrying top weight, Awarding comes into strong contention for the Fillies Trial Stakes as she is bound to relish the extended trip of mile. Though Sunset Boulevard is bred to last out at least up to a mile, needs to curb her tendency to expend her energy by her tear away tactics.
Two of the possible contenders of the Fillies Trial Stakes were in the fray in the Star Contender Plate (Div I). Eagle Claws was backed down to strong favoritism on the basis of her runaway debut win but she was hard pressed to win from Siachen who was conceding weight to her. Eagle Claws had a smooth run along the rails and was brought the shortest way home while Siachen came a little wide at the bend. Both these horses battled out resolutely but the favourite held on to win by a short neck. Hyderabad’s Kohinoor Wish ran on to finish third ahead of Batista who packed up when the race came to a boil. Immense who ran in the lower division of the race, was a more impressive winner than Eagle Claws. Immense led all the way and then skipped away to win from the strongly backed Tempus Fugit. Ballibay was well positioned to launch an assault but packed up under pressure. The progeny of Gasawar, Immense clocked a smart time of one minute 25.88 seconds.
Jockey Prakash was astride quite a few favorites but he was unsuccessful on all his engagements. To make matters worse, Prakash reported sick before the commencement of eighth race but the club doctor who had certified him medically unfit to ride on Saturday, declared him fit to ride and he had to fulfill his engagement on favourite Cruising. The 48 hour disqualification rule did not apply to Prakash as the doctor had certified him not fit to ride on Saturday and the jockey had expressed his intent to ride. On this occasion, the doctor was not ready to buy any argument and asked the jockey to ride. Prakash came and rode Cruising but his driving finish was not good enough to get the better of Bhagirathi who had seized the initiative inside the final 300 metres and held on gamely to win the race. This was the third win for Bhagirathi in four outings. After making her debut more than a year ago, Bhagirathi had been laid low by a knee chip injury but ever since she returned to racing last winter, she has been on the boil. Going by today’s win, she can repeat. Stone of Destiny ran on to be third while Bucephalas lost a distance at the start.
Puttanna trained Valahak pulled of a win at nourishing odds in the Prince Khartoum Trophy (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. La Clique came in for sustained support but the favourite shot his bolt when Valahak applied pressure in the closing stages of the race. Valahak pulled away from his opponent to record a comfortable win. The progeny of Brave Act, Aztec Gold left the field stranded as he led all the way and won with a great deal of comfort from Nessie in the lower division of the race.
Ganapathy’s String Along recorded an impressive win in the Ministerial Trophy, a seven furlong race for three-year old maidens. String Along began to separate herself from the rest at the top of the straight and checked in by a widening margin of five lengths over Con Artiste. Delight of Asia who was strongly supported to win, was prominent till turning for home but disappeared without a trace. Delight of Asia appears to be pretty run of the mill.
Ordained One had to be driven out to the maximum to contain the challenge of Rezoom to win the mile long Romantic Dancer Plate. Ordained One, who was running for the first time after being gelded, was expected to score easily but Rezoom put up a dogged resistance. The winning post came to the rescue of Ordained One whose reserves appeared to be fast dwindling.
There was a shocker in the day’s opener as unfancied Yes We Can managed to get the better of My Musketeer to start the day on a disastrous note for punters.
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