Optimus Prime wins on sheer class
Arjun Mangalorkar trained Optimus Prime won the S Rangarajan Memorial Trophy, a sprint race for horses 80 and above, the feature event of Friday’s races with ease from Lads Gladiator. The progeny of Valid Concept, despite the many niggles, had benefitted by the run benefit he had as he came from behind on the wide outside to speed past the opponents to win with a measure of comfort.
Optimus Prime was originally considered as a classic prospect but he did not do well over extended trips. His win during the last season over a sprint brought to the fore his sprinting abilities. However, since he cannot be worked regularly on the outer sand track, this is also a restricting factor in getting him fit as also the number of races that he can run in a season. He was well supported to win along with Friendly Bond but the latter put in a pathetic performance and was not seen at the busy end.
Lady Duff and The Spartan disputed the lead in front as the field set out for the six furlong trip, with Friendly Bond, Lads Gladiator and Classic Charge staying in touch while Optimus Prime who found the early pace hot, racing in about sixth position. Lady Duff led the field into the straight with The Spartan fading out and Lads Gladiator slipping through the rails. But the complexion of the race changed once Optimus Prime found his gear and showed up on the wide outside. He easily beat the challenge of Lads Gladiator. Incidentally, Optimus Prime had beaten Lads Gladiator in his last triumph as well.
Faraz Arshad, who is going through a lean patch, had a rewarding day as he recorded a double. The progeny of Emerald Cat, Sunny Express recorded an impressive win in the 1400 metres Madhavnagar Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. After loitering at the wrong end of the field, Sunny Express came home with a big run to swoop past the front running Dancerella to record an impressive win. African Queen was third ahead of favourite Mablshwar Memories who ran green and finished fourth. The favourite may be better off tackling longer trips.
Prithviraj trained Karisini recorded a smashing win in the 1600 metres Brindavan Garden Plate. Karisini had won well over nine furlongs but was immediately raced in the Oaks where she found the transition difficult to make. Now brought back to a more suitable mile, Karisini took charge of the proceedings after racing in a handy position till the homestretch and then stretched away for an effortless win in a good timing of one minute 38.51 seconds. The progeny of China Visit is in good shape and can repeat notwithstanding the stiff penalty that she is likely to incur. Royal Surprise who is yet to shed her maiden status, ran on to finish second and possibly the longer trip may have brought out the best in her. Never Say Goodbye had her winning streak halted as she finished a tame third.
After many promising efforts which failed to bear fruition, Irfan Ghatala trained Lad Diva surprised in the 1200 metres Dharmasthala Plate. Habanero, who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals, was never in the hunt and finished a poor fifth. Back Among Friends who was well supported appeared to have stolen a march with a furlong out but the finishing burst of Lad Diva floored the front runner.
True Impression was another who received spirited support to win the seven furlongs race but he caught a tartar in Spark of Isis who struck when least expected. Modern Art set a scorching pace with Spark of Isis sitting a handy second. The latter sped away from the front runner inside the final 300 metres and opened up a big lead and despite a valiant effort by jockey Suraj Narredu, the favourite fell short narrowly. The race was eventful as Spring A Surprise broke down, causing jockey Khurshad Alam to be thrown off from the saddle. The jockey was unconscious when he was shifted to the hospital but he is reportedly doing fine and is under observation. Mr President was badly interfered but jockey Sreekanth managed to stay in the saddle and complete the course albeit a few seconds after the rest had crossed the post.
Sun Doro, who had failed as a favourite, obliged in the Bandipur Trophy (Div I) though carrying less confidence of the punters. It is difficult to fathom what Selvaraj is up to as the jockey rides in similar style when he is in serious business or when giving a run. His horses can never be backed with any degree of conviction. Sun Doro managed to get the better of front running Prime To Fame to land the spoils. Smart Exotic reached the safety of the winning post in the lower division of the race even as North Cape closed with a threatening run.
Matias looked too good in the 1800 metres Longchamp Plate and the favourite won as he should in the hands of jockey Mark Gallagher who incidentally had a treble for the day, his other winners coming through Sunny Express and Smart Exotic. Royal Prodigy ran on to finish second while the rest of the runners were way behind.
Born To Perform who had let down last time out when strongly fancied by the connections, made amends by winning the day’s opener with a late surge, getting the measure of Halo of Reverence. Favourite Fire Star was a well beaten third.
Optimus Prime was originally considered as a classic prospect but he did not do well over extended trips. His win during the last season over a sprint brought to the fore his sprinting abilities. However, since he cannot be worked regularly on the outer sand track, this is also a restricting factor in getting him fit as also the number of races that he can run in a season. He was well supported to win along with Friendly Bond but the latter put in a pathetic performance and was not seen at the busy end.
Lady Duff and The Spartan disputed the lead in front as the field set out for the six furlong trip, with Friendly Bond, Lads Gladiator and Classic Charge staying in touch while Optimus Prime who found the early pace hot, racing in about sixth position. Lady Duff led the field into the straight with The Spartan fading out and Lads Gladiator slipping through the rails. But the complexion of the race changed once Optimus Prime found his gear and showed up on the wide outside. He easily beat the challenge of Lads Gladiator. Incidentally, Optimus Prime had beaten Lads Gladiator in his last triumph as well.
Faraz Arshad, who is going through a lean patch, had a rewarding day as he recorded a double. The progeny of Emerald Cat, Sunny Express recorded an impressive win in the 1400 metres Madhavnagar Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. After loitering at the wrong end of the field, Sunny Express came home with a big run to swoop past the front running Dancerella to record an impressive win. African Queen was third ahead of favourite Mablshwar Memories who ran green and finished fourth. The favourite may be better off tackling longer trips.
Prithviraj trained Karisini recorded a smashing win in the 1600 metres Brindavan Garden Plate. Karisini had won well over nine furlongs but was immediately raced in the Oaks where she found the transition difficult to make. Now brought back to a more suitable mile, Karisini took charge of the proceedings after racing in a handy position till the homestretch and then stretched away for an effortless win in a good timing of one minute 38.51 seconds. The progeny of China Visit is in good shape and can repeat notwithstanding the stiff penalty that she is likely to incur. Royal Surprise who is yet to shed her maiden status, ran on to finish second and possibly the longer trip may have brought out the best in her. Never Say Goodbye had her winning streak halted as she finished a tame third.
After many promising efforts which failed to bear fruition, Irfan Ghatala trained Lad Diva surprised in the 1200 metres Dharmasthala Plate. Habanero, who was backed to the exclusion of his rivals, was never in the hunt and finished a poor fifth. Back Among Friends who was well supported appeared to have stolen a march with a furlong out but the finishing burst of Lad Diva floored the front runner.
True Impression was another who received spirited support to win the seven furlongs race but he caught a tartar in Spark of Isis who struck when least expected. Modern Art set a scorching pace with Spark of Isis sitting a handy second. The latter sped away from the front runner inside the final 300 metres and opened up a big lead and despite a valiant effort by jockey Suraj Narredu, the favourite fell short narrowly. The race was eventful as Spring A Surprise broke down, causing jockey Khurshad Alam to be thrown off from the saddle. The jockey was unconscious when he was shifted to the hospital but he is reportedly doing fine and is under observation. Mr President was badly interfered but jockey Sreekanth managed to stay in the saddle and complete the course albeit a few seconds after the rest had crossed the post.
Sun Doro, who had failed as a favourite, obliged in the Bandipur Trophy (Div I) though carrying less confidence of the punters. It is difficult to fathom what Selvaraj is up to as the jockey rides in similar style when he is in serious business or when giving a run. His horses can never be backed with any degree of conviction. Sun Doro managed to get the better of front running Prime To Fame to land the spoils. Smart Exotic reached the safety of the winning post in the lower division of the race even as North Cape closed with a threatening run.
Matias looked too good in the 1800 metres Longchamp Plate and the favourite won as he should in the hands of jockey Mark Gallagher who incidentally had a treble for the day, his other winners coming through Sunny Express and Smart Exotic. Royal Prodigy ran on to finish second while the rest of the runners were way behind.
Born To Perform who had let down last time out when strongly fancied by the connections, made amends by winning the day’s opener with a late surge, getting the measure of Halo of Reverence. Favourite Fire Star was a well beaten third.
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