Caspian Sea lucky to scrape home
Rashid Byramji led in a winner after a longish interval through lesser fancied Caspian Sea who just about managed to reach the safety of the winning post before Captain’s Lover could extricate from the rails after being kept there for a long time by Brunetta, in the Nilgiris Cup, a seven furlong race for horses rated 60 to 85, which featured races held on Saturday.
The eight event card did not throw any major surprise though Hamsafar won as a long shot. She had been consistent but as she had had not won, she was not considered as a possible winner as the focus of attention was on other horses who have the habit of ending up as favourites with little or no credentials because of the hype they enjoy. The public also cannot be blamed because more often than not such horses have obliged without solid racing form especially when they are running in lower classes.
Bucephalas who had run a forward race was more supported than the rest in the Nilgiris Cup. There was significant thrust on Captain’s Lover close to race time which was a clear indication that she would be in serious business. Caspian Sea hadn’t been running to his abilities though with a four kg claimer in Rajesh Kumar, his chances were bound to improve dramatically as he had got more than 10 kg drop since his last win. Caprioska, Caspian Sea, Spark of Isis raced in close proximity in front while Captain’s Lover was eased in about the sixth position with Brunetta on her outside for company. Bucephalas who was in the rear group was under pressure to keep pace and was strongly urged to cover up the leeway at the final turn.
Caspian Seas surged ahead on turning for home with Caprioska and Spark of Isis not falling back rapidly while jockey Harish on Captain’s Lover was unable to get a clear run as the horses in front of him were going nowhere and Brunetta on her outside not conceding an inch and keeping the second favourite stuck along the rails. Harish had to wait for a while before forcing his way but by the time the five-year old mare could into full steam, Caspian Sea had gone into a big lead which held him in good stead as he managed to win by ¾ lengths at the finish. With a clear run, Captain’s Love doubtless would have been the winner. Spark of Isis nosed out Joriki for the third spot.
Puttanna trained horses always prove to be different customers when the right thrust is on them. Lester who had managed to keep away from public glare, was quietly supported to win the Thungabhadra Plate (Div I), a seven furlong race for horses rated 40 to 65. The Senator was widely expected to win. Virtuoso who was available at lucrative odds was the pace setter as The Senator was held in a handy position with the rest following in close proximity. Spark of Solitaire lost all his chances at the gate itself. Virtuoso shook off even as the supporters of The Senator were watching in dismay as the lack of headway being made by the favourite. The front runner appeared to be safe from the clutches of other contestants but Lester who was allowed to run to potential, flew home to catch the front runner in the final strides of the race. Royal Player was third while The Senator was a disappointing fifth. Puttanna was able to give perfect alibis for his ward’s sudden improved performance and escape without any penalty. Satish Narredu’s Simply Phenomenal towered over the rest after the five-year old’s eye-catching run last time out. Jockey Suraj had no hesitation in taking the favourite to the front and Simply Phenomenal was not hard pressed by any of the runners while checking in well clear of the rest. Ailsa ran on to finish second ahead of Prashastha and Cash Is King.
Capote opened as on money favourite to win the Ardent Knight Trophy (Div I) but the odds drifted out showing that as there is increasing trust deficit where horses of Dr Vijay Mallya are concerned. The reason is that these days horses which run at cramped price rarely oblige and Capote belonged to that category as he had already failed as an on money favourite. Capote raced in true earnest as Intrigue tried steal the race with a start to finish attempt but was collared and passed by Affirmative with a furlong out. Capote finished on powerfully getting the measure of the front runner in the shadow of the post. With the withdrawal of ante post favourite Cinnamon Rush in the lower division of the race, Practically Perfect was backed down as if her defeat was out of question. The daughter of Sunday Doubt, Practically Perfect swept past the opposition to finish well clear of Bourbon Rock. Sunday Doubt who stood at Dashmesh Stud Farm, unfortunately died after covering only one crop. His progeny have been doing well, winning their fair share of juvenile races. It is a pity that he died early for he could have made a greater impact with his subsequent crops.
Prithviraj’s Sparkling Life was the betting rage in the 1200 metres but the four year old was never in a prominent position to deliver the goods. The well backed Thrillseeker led all the way, had the race well in control before the final bend and then skipped away to record a facile win. Ailsa chased the winner without hope.
Hamsafar had a decent chance to win the 1400 metres Gadag Plate as the four year old filly has been pretty consistent though she had found the winning post elusive. However, she was taking on a poor lot of horses which was the reason why she was offered as the second best horse in our selections. However, she was totally neglected in the betting ring, returning a dividend about 50 to 1 on a tenner! Apprentice jockey Vaibhav had Hamsafar lead all the way and the progeny of Inner City won untroubled from Smart Exotic and late rallying Indian Royalty who was running after a pretty long lay off
Valahak looked outstanding in the 1200 metres Manasa Sarovara Plate as his last win had been outstanding. Though he was withdrawn from the fray on an earlier occasion, a cursory look at him in the paddocks was enough to give the impression that he stood out for his looks. Jockey John brought Valahak with a powerful run with a furlong out to measure the front running Moves Goodenough to record an encore in style for trainer Prasanna Kumar.
The eight event card did not throw any major surprise though Hamsafar won as a long shot. She had been consistent but as she had had not won, she was not considered as a possible winner as the focus of attention was on other horses who have the habit of ending up as favourites with little or no credentials because of the hype they enjoy. The public also cannot be blamed because more often than not such horses have obliged without solid racing form especially when they are running in lower classes.
Bucephalas who had run a forward race was more supported than the rest in the Nilgiris Cup. There was significant thrust on Captain’s Lover close to race time which was a clear indication that she would be in serious business. Caspian Sea hadn’t been running to his abilities though with a four kg claimer in Rajesh Kumar, his chances were bound to improve dramatically as he had got more than 10 kg drop since his last win. Caprioska, Caspian Sea, Spark of Isis raced in close proximity in front while Captain’s Lover was eased in about the sixth position with Brunetta on her outside for company. Bucephalas who was in the rear group was under pressure to keep pace and was strongly urged to cover up the leeway at the final turn.
Caspian Seas surged ahead on turning for home with Caprioska and Spark of Isis not falling back rapidly while jockey Harish on Captain’s Lover was unable to get a clear run as the horses in front of him were going nowhere and Brunetta on her outside not conceding an inch and keeping the second favourite stuck along the rails. Harish had to wait for a while before forcing his way but by the time the five-year old mare could into full steam, Caspian Sea had gone into a big lead which held him in good stead as he managed to win by ¾ lengths at the finish. With a clear run, Captain’s Love doubtless would have been the winner. Spark of Isis nosed out Joriki for the third spot.
Puttanna trained horses always prove to be different customers when the right thrust is on them. Lester who had managed to keep away from public glare, was quietly supported to win the Thungabhadra Plate (Div I), a seven furlong race for horses rated 40 to 65. The Senator was widely expected to win. Virtuoso who was available at lucrative odds was the pace setter as The Senator was held in a handy position with the rest following in close proximity. Spark of Solitaire lost all his chances at the gate itself. Virtuoso shook off even as the supporters of The Senator were watching in dismay as the lack of headway being made by the favourite. The front runner appeared to be safe from the clutches of other contestants but Lester who was allowed to run to potential, flew home to catch the front runner in the final strides of the race. Royal Player was third while The Senator was a disappointing fifth. Puttanna was able to give perfect alibis for his ward’s sudden improved performance and escape without any penalty. Satish Narredu’s Simply Phenomenal towered over the rest after the five-year old’s eye-catching run last time out. Jockey Suraj had no hesitation in taking the favourite to the front and Simply Phenomenal was not hard pressed by any of the runners while checking in well clear of the rest. Ailsa ran on to finish second ahead of Prashastha and Cash Is King.
Capote opened as on money favourite to win the Ardent Knight Trophy (Div I) but the odds drifted out showing that as there is increasing trust deficit where horses of Dr Vijay Mallya are concerned. The reason is that these days horses which run at cramped price rarely oblige and Capote belonged to that category as he had already failed as an on money favourite. Capote raced in true earnest as Intrigue tried steal the race with a start to finish attempt but was collared and passed by Affirmative with a furlong out. Capote finished on powerfully getting the measure of the front runner in the shadow of the post. With the withdrawal of ante post favourite Cinnamon Rush in the lower division of the race, Practically Perfect was backed down as if her defeat was out of question. The daughter of Sunday Doubt, Practically Perfect swept past the opposition to finish well clear of Bourbon Rock. Sunday Doubt who stood at Dashmesh Stud Farm, unfortunately died after covering only one crop. His progeny have been doing well, winning their fair share of juvenile races. It is a pity that he died early for he could have made a greater impact with his subsequent crops.
Prithviraj’s Sparkling Life was the betting rage in the 1200 metres but the four year old was never in a prominent position to deliver the goods. The well backed Thrillseeker led all the way, had the race well in control before the final bend and then skipped away to record a facile win. Ailsa chased the winner without hope.
Hamsafar had a decent chance to win the 1400 metres Gadag Plate as the four year old filly has been pretty consistent though she had found the winning post elusive. However, she was taking on a poor lot of horses which was the reason why she was offered as the second best horse in our selections. However, she was totally neglected in the betting ring, returning a dividend about 50 to 1 on a tenner! Apprentice jockey Vaibhav had Hamsafar lead all the way and the progeny of Inner City won untroubled from Smart Exotic and late rallying Indian Royalty who was running after a pretty long lay off
Valahak looked outstanding in the 1200 metres Manasa Sarovara Plate as his last win had been outstanding. Though he was withdrawn from the fray on an earlier occasion, a cursory look at him in the paddocks was enough to give the impression that he stood out for his looks. Jockey John brought Valahak with a powerful run with a furlong out to measure the front running Moves Goodenough to record an encore in style for trainer Prasanna Kumar.
Comments
Post a Comment