Arabian Prince prevails in a close finish
Jaggy Dhariwal trained Arabian Prince became the first progeny of Burden of Proof to win over the grueling trip of 2800 metres as he held off a stiff challenge from Fleet Indian to land the spoils in the Gr 2 Bangalore St Leger, the last classic of the season on Sunday. As expected, the battle was confined between the two market fancies but in the end, Arabian Prince emerged the better. Jockey Sampson rode a copybook race on the winner while jockey Suraj Narredu did everything right except getting at the finish. Possibly his finishing thrust did not meet his own standards as Fleet Indian, after drawing level with Arabian Prince, ended up losing by a shade less than a length.
Arabian Prince, who is incidentally bred at the Usha Stud Farm, thus defied all expectations though for this race he set out as a firm favourite. The stamina influence obviously has come from the Razeen mare Arabian Rose who herself was stout performer over longer trips. This was the third graded race success for Arabian Prince who had earlier in the season won the Gr 2 Maharaja’s Cup. In January, he had won the Gr 1 Golconda Derby at Hyderabad. Dr Vijay Mallya’s colors have had a dominant show during this season and his Kunigal Stud Farm has contributed significantly in the success.
Quite honestly, one was hesitant to support the claims of Arabian Prince simply because his sire was predominantly a miler. Though the field he was taking on was depleted, there was no denying the fact that he would be tested to the hilt by Fleet Indian, who is a produce of the Kunigal Stud Farm. Leave It To me who has not won a single race in Bangalore, was expected to figure at the finish simply because she is a stout stayer, with the requisite speed to make a big difference.
Jockey Prakash took Leave It To Me on a start to finish mission, with Arabian Prince, Topkapi, Fleet Indian, Washing Irvine and Gloriosa following in that order. Approaching the final bend, there was only one change in the order as Topkapi moved slightly ahead of Arabian Prince. However, in the straight he found himself out of depth and gradually fell back to finish a distance behind the first three placed horses. Leave It To Me held sway till the final furlong before Arabian Prince shot ahead. In the meanwhile, Fleet Indian had moved up from behind with a flourish and joined issue. He seemed to be traveling better but Arabian Prince was driven out admirably by South African jockey Sampson who proved stronger of the two jockeys in the end.
Suraj Narredu reported sick soon after the race and was replaced by Ladjadj Stephane on Classic Charge in the race. Hall of Glory who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the 1200 metres Chettinad Stud Plate, was hurriedly rushed to the front by jockey Imran Chisty who went at a fast clip even as Classic Charge found the pace too hot to handle and fell back to about the fourth or fifth position along the rails. Hall of Glory kicked clear at the top of the straight but faltered in the final stages of the race. Stephane’s power packed finish tilted the scales in favour of second favourite Classic Charge who got the verdict in the final stride of the race. Alpha Baby ran on to be third.
Padmanabhan trained Elusive Way recorded a smashing win in the 1200 metres Esquire Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. The small made daughter of Elusive City, who is yet to sport a good coat, led the field from the start and checked in by a widening margin of six lengths without being extended in an excellent timing of one minute 12.7 seconds. Surely the Sohna Stud Farm produce is blessed with amazing speed and her progress in her next outing will give a clue to her prospects. Emerald showed good improvement while finishing second.
Another impressive winner of the day was Vijay Singh’s Record Breaker who came out of the maiden ranks after a couple of runner up efforts at Kolkata, in splendid fashion. Quoted at cramped odds, the progeny of Placerville led all the way and came home more than five lengths clear of Matias in a good timing of one minute 26.23 seconds. Indian Royalty was a long way third but his turn should come soon.
Britto had a good priced double through Saratoga and Good Gift who won the Happy Valey Plate (Div I and II respectively). Saratoga who was out for an airing last time out, was backed down spiritedly and the progeny of Inner City obliged readily by staving off the late rally of Allegro. Good Gift was engaged in a bitter battle by the well backed Cute Angel but the former managed to prevail in the end.
Golden Quest and Work Force had the best credentials to win the 1600 metres Parisiana Plate but the latter did not show any improvement over his previous effort and finished a tame third. Golden Quest was raced in third position as Gun Powder took over the job of pacesetter before assuming command inside the final 350 metres. Golden Quest skipped clear and comfortably held off the challenge of Deep blue Sky and a lethargic Work Force.
Youre A Legend was backed spiritedly to win the Astronomic Plate (Div I). The J S Pillay trainee justified the confidence of his backers with a start to finish mission, leaving the opposition stranded to win by a margin of over four lengths. Defiance relegated Supreme Arch to the third spot. Admiranda, who had run a good second last time out, was not sighted while Snow Peaks, who also came in for sustained support, was not seen at the busy end. Voodoo Moon brought off a big upset in the lower division, winning at the expense of Diamond Shower. Persian Princess beat the challenge of Blue Origin for the third spot while the rest of the runners were out for an airing.
Arabian Prince, who is incidentally bred at the Usha Stud Farm, thus defied all expectations though for this race he set out as a firm favourite. The stamina influence obviously has come from the Razeen mare Arabian Rose who herself was stout performer over longer trips. This was the third graded race success for Arabian Prince who had earlier in the season won the Gr 2 Maharaja’s Cup. In January, he had won the Gr 1 Golconda Derby at Hyderabad. Dr Vijay Mallya’s colors have had a dominant show during this season and his Kunigal Stud Farm has contributed significantly in the success.
Quite honestly, one was hesitant to support the claims of Arabian Prince simply because his sire was predominantly a miler. Though the field he was taking on was depleted, there was no denying the fact that he would be tested to the hilt by Fleet Indian, who is a produce of the Kunigal Stud Farm. Leave It To me who has not won a single race in Bangalore, was expected to figure at the finish simply because she is a stout stayer, with the requisite speed to make a big difference.
Jockey Prakash took Leave It To Me on a start to finish mission, with Arabian Prince, Topkapi, Fleet Indian, Washing Irvine and Gloriosa following in that order. Approaching the final bend, there was only one change in the order as Topkapi moved slightly ahead of Arabian Prince. However, in the straight he found himself out of depth and gradually fell back to finish a distance behind the first three placed horses. Leave It To Me held sway till the final furlong before Arabian Prince shot ahead. In the meanwhile, Fleet Indian had moved up from behind with a flourish and joined issue. He seemed to be traveling better but Arabian Prince was driven out admirably by South African jockey Sampson who proved stronger of the two jockeys in the end.
Suraj Narredu reported sick soon after the race and was replaced by Ladjadj Stephane on Classic Charge in the race. Hall of Glory who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the 1200 metres Chettinad Stud Plate, was hurriedly rushed to the front by jockey Imran Chisty who went at a fast clip even as Classic Charge found the pace too hot to handle and fell back to about the fourth or fifth position along the rails. Hall of Glory kicked clear at the top of the straight but faltered in the final stages of the race. Stephane’s power packed finish tilted the scales in favour of second favourite Classic Charge who got the verdict in the final stride of the race. Alpha Baby ran on to be third.
Padmanabhan trained Elusive Way recorded a smashing win in the 1200 metres Esquire Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. The small made daughter of Elusive City, who is yet to sport a good coat, led the field from the start and checked in by a widening margin of six lengths without being extended in an excellent timing of one minute 12.7 seconds. Surely the Sohna Stud Farm produce is blessed with amazing speed and her progress in her next outing will give a clue to her prospects. Emerald showed good improvement while finishing second.
Another impressive winner of the day was Vijay Singh’s Record Breaker who came out of the maiden ranks after a couple of runner up efforts at Kolkata, in splendid fashion. Quoted at cramped odds, the progeny of Placerville led all the way and came home more than five lengths clear of Matias in a good timing of one minute 26.23 seconds. Indian Royalty was a long way third but his turn should come soon.
Britto had a good priced double through Saratoga and Good Gift who won the Happy Valey Plate (Div I and II respectively). Saratoga who was out for an airing last time out, was backed down spiritedly and the progeny of Inner City obliged readily by staving off the late rally of Allegro. Good Gift was engaged in a bitter battle by the well backed Cute Angel but the former managed to prevail in the end.
Golden Quest and Work Force had the best credentials to win the 1600 metres Parisiana Plate but the latter did not show any improvement over his previous effort and finished a tame third. Golden Quest was raced in third position as Gun Powder took over the job of pacesetter before assuming command inside the final 350 metres. Golden Quest skipped clear and comfortably held off the challenge of Deep blue Sky and a lethargic Work Force.
Youre A Legend was backed spiritedly to win the Astronomic Plate (Div I). The J S Pillay trainee justified the confidence of his backers with a start to finish mission, leaving the opposition stranded to win by a margin of over four lengths. Defiance relegated Supreme Arch to the third spot. Admiranda, who had run a good second last time out, was not sighted while Snow Peaks, who also came in for sustained support, was not seen at the busy end. Voodoo Moon brought off a big upset in the lower division, winning at the expense of Diamond Shower. Persian Princess beat the challenge of Blue Origin for the third spot while the rest of the runners were out for an airing.
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