Immense eclipses Sun Kingdom
Arjun Mangalorkar trained Immense was driven out by jockey John for a facile win over Sun Kingdom in the Gr 3 Fernhill’s Palace Mysore 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season on Tuesday. The Galloping Acres bred son of Gaswar powered his way to his second successive classic win. He had earlier won the Gr 3 Colts Trial Stakes at Hyderabad.
Expectations and performance always don’t match in racing irrespective of the merit of the horse concerned. Sun Kingdom appeared infinitely better than Immense because the former had beaten the latter quite convincingly when the two clashed twice before. Sun Kingdom had beaten Immense by more than three lengths in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes and by a longer distance the Kingfisher Derby. Sun Kingdom as such had greater credentials but was found wanting against Immense who went into this race fit as a fiddle and with the benefit of victory in Gr 3 Hyderabad Colts Trial Stakes. Sun Kingdom may have been shining in the workouts but the lack of a race run definitely had a bearing on the result as he failed to produce his patented burst of speed despite being within striking range of Immense at the top of the straight. Though he came close to Immense, Sun Kingdom weakened as the former skipped away to record a smashing win.
A few days back I had asked trainer Irfan Ghatala if the lack of a race run would not hamper Sun Kingdom especially against Immense who not only had a run benefit but had also thrashed the opposition in the Hyderabad Colts Trial Stakes. Sun Kingdom also was not extended in the mock race which was given to get him the feel of the track. Since the track conditions had become treacherous, the horses went through the motions of completing a mock race after which the authorities had cancelled that day’s racing due to unsafe underfoot conditions. However, Irfan exuded confidence that the horse was fit and fine and he saw no issue with the readiness of the horse for the classic.
The value of Immense’s victory at Hyderabad had added value after the victory of Xisca in the Deccan Derby on Saturday as Kohinoor Wish who had finished third to Immense, went down fighting to Xisca in the closing stages of the race. Immense had also been blazing the track. Sun Kingdom looked ready as far as track work was concerned but was bound to prove ring rusty though the trainer felt that since his horse had run in July, this should not be an issue.
Sun Kingdom was strong favourite as he carried sea of expectations and had the tag of being the best colt in the country. The form of the Bangalore Derby had been flanked by the performance of horses which had placed in the Derby.
Adonis set a fast pace as the field settled down to traverse the mile long trip, with Sunny’s Secret, Immense, Astounding Gallop, Ordained One, Sun Kingdom and Fist of Rage. Jockey John had Immense quickly cover up the leeway on the front running Adonis and pushed the second favourite to take charge at the top of the straight. Jockey Prakash too was not lagging as he had Sun Kingdom cruise behind Immense and ranged alongside but clearly the favourite was not go going anywhere. The fitter Immense skipped away and won pulling up in the end by sparing close to three lengths at the finish. Sun Kingdom was in danger of losing the second spot as s Ordained One was closing up the gap at the finish. Even the inexperienced Astounding Gallop was not far behind. The winner clocked a smart time of one minute 37.2 second in firm going.
The lack of a run was a dampener for Sun Kingdom’s chances. However, there is no taking away the credit from Immense who is in great shape. Immense had finished three and half lengths behind Sun Kingdom over an identical trip in the Colts Trial Stakes but on that occasion, Immense had run into problems, being ridden by inexperienced apprentice Zervan who could not maneuver a good position and circled round the field at the steepest part of the Bangalore race track despite which the progeny of Gaswar had finished a good second.
Has Sun Kingdom lost his invincible aura that he had built around himself by virtue of his performance in summer? It remains to be confirmed. There is no doubt that over the extended trip of 2000 metres of Mysore Derby, he will bounce back but he will not run at cramped odds. Immense is bound to be a threat and even Ordained One who is out and out bred to stay, may be a force to reckon with. The Mysore Derby surely has an open look about it by virtue of Sun Kingdom proving vulnerable on two successive occasions. String Along, the winner of the Mysore 1000 Guineas should also be a frontline contender. There could be a bolt from the blue too!
Expectations and performance always don’t match in racing irrespective of the merit of the horse concerned. Sun Kingdom appeared infinitely better than Immense because the former had beaten the latter quite convincingly when the two clashed twice before. Sun Kingdom had beaten Immense by more than three lengths in the Gr 1 Colts Trial Stakes and by a longer distance the Kingfisher Derby. Sun Kingdom as such had greater credentials but was found wanting against Immense who went into this race fit as a fiddle and with the benefit of victory in Gr 3 Hyderabad Colts Trial Stakes. Sun Kingdom may have been shining in the workouts but the lack of a race run definitely had a bearing on the result as he failed to produce his patented burst of speed despite being within striking range of Immense at the top of the straight. Though he came close to Immense, Sun Kingdom weakened as the former skipped away to record a smashing win.
A few days back I had asked trainer Irfan Ghatala if the lack of a race run would not hamper Sun Kingdom especially against Immense who not only had a run benefit but had also thrashed the opposition in the Hyderabad Colts Trial Stakes. Sun Kingdom also was not extended in the mock race which was given to get him the feel of the track. Since the track conditions had become treacherous, the horses went through the motions of completing a mock race after which the authorities had cancelled that day’s racing due to unsafe underfoot conditions. However, Irfan exuded confidence that the horse was fit and fine and he saw no issue with the readiness of the horse for the classic.
The value of Immense’s victory at Hyderabad had added value after the victory of Xisca in the Deccan Derby on Saturday as Kohinoor Wish who had finished third to Immense, went down fighting to Xisca in the closing stages of the race. Immense had also been blazing the track. Sun Kingdom looked ready as far as track work was concerned but was bound to prove ring rusty though the trainer felt that since his horse had run in July, this should not be an issue.
Sun Kingdom was strong favourite as he carried sea of expectations and had the tag of being the best colt in the country. The form of the Bangalore Derby had been flanked by the performance of horses which had placed in the Derby.
Adonis set a fast pace as the field settled down to traverse the mile long trip, with Sunny’s Secret, Immense, Astounding Gallop, Ordained One, Sun Kingdom and Fist of Rage. Jockey John had Immense quickly cover up the leeway on the front running Adonis and pushed the second favourite to take charge at the top of the straight. Jockey Prakash too was not lagging as he had Sun Kingdom cruise behind Immense and ranged alongside but clearly the favourite was not go going anywhere. The fitter Immense skipped away and won pulling up in the end by sparing close to three lengths at the finish. Sun Kingdom was in danger of losing the second spot as s Ordained One was closing up the gap at the finish. Even the inexperienced Astounding Gallop was not far behind. The winner clocked a smart time of one minute 37.2 second in firm going.
The lack of a run was a dampener for Sun Kingdom’s chances. However, there is no taking away the credit from Immense who is in great shape. Immense had finished three and half lengths behind Sun Kingdom over an identical trip in the Colts Trial Stakes but on that occasion, Immense had run into problems, being ridden by inexperienced apprentice Zervan who could not maneuver a good position and circled round the field at the steepest part of the Bangalore race track despite which the progeny of Gaswar had finished a good second.
Has Sun Kingdom lost his invincible aura that he had built around himself by virtue of his performance in summer? It remains to be confirmed. There is no doubt that over the extended trip of 2000 metres of Mysore Derby, he will bounce back but he will not run at cramped odds. Immense is bound to be a threat and even Ordained One who is out and out bred to stay, may be a force to reckon with. The Mysore Derby surely has an open look about it by virtue of Sun Kingdom proving vulnerable on two successive occasions. String Along, the winner of the Mysore 1000 Guineas should also be a frontline contender. There could be a bolt from the blue too!
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