Immense decimates opposition in Colts Trial Stakes

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Immense proved too superior to the opposition in the Gr 3 Colts Trial Stakes, the second classic of the season, at Malakpet on Sunday. The progeny of Gaswar asserted himself in the hands of jockey Arshad Asbar who stood in for S John who missed his flight from Kolkata. John’s loss was Arshad’s gain as the young lad went on to record his first classic win. The victory of Immense was so impressive that the Deccan Derby would have been the logical choice for the horse to run but unfortunately, he has not been entered for the plum event and since there is no provision for final entry in Hyderabad, Immense may be targeted for the Mysore Guineas and Derby.

Napoleon was the favourite to win along with Kohinoor Wish, Sun Spirit and Rapture of Victory while Immense was allowed to run at nourishing odds possibly due to change of jockey. Immense had run behind Sun Kingdom in the Colts Trial Stakes at Bangalore and the latter narrowly missed winning the Kingfisher Derby. The form was strong but not the hype. Da Xia led as the field set out for the mile long trip with Deep Blue Sky, Napoleon, Sun Spirit and Immense in close proximity with the rest spread out behind. Da Xia rallied on till the final furlong at which stage Immense gained the upper hand and skipped away. Rapture of Victory closed with a rush but the Bangalore challenger was traveling so well that jockey Asbar could celebrate, easing up the horse in the final stages of the race. The tendency of jockeys celebrating before the winning post is a practice that needs to be curbed because any slip up could cost the connections the classic itself. Kohinoor Wish moved well from behind without making much of an impact. Napoleon was fourth ahead of pace setter Da Xia. Sun Spirit made no show.

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