Still Will prevails in Guruswamy Cup
Dominic trained Still Will finished on powerfully in the hands of jockey P S Chouhan to measure the front running Friendly Bond in the final strides of the race to win the 1200 metres K N Guruswamy Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 60 to 85, the feature event of Saturday’s races. Last outing winner Citrali won the lower division of the race at fancy odds even as favourite Florida finished in the ruck.
Friendly Bond was firmly backed to win and not without reason. Friendly Bond had been rated highly by the stable and after a failed attempt in a classic over a mile; he ran some run of the mill races. Now brought back to sprint, he was at a mark where he could make his presence felt. However, with Abnoba receiving inspired support, Friendly Bond was available at nourishing odds. Still Will was available close to 10 to 1 though this moody customer runs best when he is fresh. Another Destiny led the field with a fast run with Friendly Bond in close attendance while Still Will was in about fourth or fifth position, three horses wide. Montedoro was sluggish at the start while Eagle Claws who had beaten classic winner Siachen last summer, lost position early on and fell back to the rear. Friendly Bond shook off Another Destiny to take charge, with Sweet Surrender chasing in earnest. In the meanwhile, Chouhan brought Still Will with a big run on the wide outside. The lesser fancied runner finished on strongly to get past the front runner in the shadow of the post. Sweet Surrender showed semblance of some old spark to finish third. Favourite Abnoba bled during the race and made no show. Eagle Claws and Montedoro finished on purposefully finishing within striking proximity of the winner.
Arjun Mangalorkar trained Florida had been blazing the track and since the filly had won twice in winter without being extended, she was widely expected to maintain her winning streak. There was heavy downpour before the start of the race which altered the character of the track. Jockey John had Florida led the field into the straight but under pressure, faltered and finished down the field. Romance In The Air and Corleone came into strong contention even as apprentice jockey Pradeep was working his way from behind on the wide outside on Citrali despite the kick back inconveniencing both the rider and the horse. Corleone went ahead with a furlong out but was caught up in the closing strides of the race by Citrali thanks to the persevering efforts of Pradeep. The Puttanna trainee had recorded an impressive win in her last outing and her win was not out of turn though the flop show of Florida was unexpected. The well supported Illustrious too disappointed.
Forever Glory closed home with a rush to get past favourite Top Secret to win the Southern Regent Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. With Saratoga Spring being withdrawn on veterinary grounds, Top Secret was backed to on money favouritism with Forever Glory being next in demand. When Stephane Ladjad had Top Secret in front with a furlong left and opened up a good break, it looked as though he would oblige. But the finishing burst of Forever Glory under the driving finish of Mark Gallagher put paid to the pretensions of the front runner.
M P Mahaesh trained Crown Vision was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Epsom Plate (Div I) but the favourite found foot when Missoni had established what eventually turned out to be a winning lead. From a fourth position at the bend, Crown Vision picked up steam in the straight and finished with a strong effort but fell short narrowly. The small made Crown Vision will relish a slightly extended trip. Recharged headed Its My Party at the post for the third slot. The lower division of the race too saw a winner who ran above the expectations of her most optimistic supporters. Sky Glider was pushed to the front on turning for home and the progeny of Puerto Madero put up a dogged resistance and just about held on to win from well backed Mystic Dawn who once again let down a sea of expectations. Supremacy showed up briefly but retired to finish a tame third.
Jockey Pradeep Chouhan, who had won on Still Will and Missoni, had a treble for the day as he drove out Sivanta to just about get the better of Ibelieveinmiracles. Ibelieveinmiracles came into strong contention with a furlong out but Sivanta who came through the middle with a lightening run, managed to neck out the front runner. Dancing Emeralds ran on from behind to finish third and possibly he can do better with some more ground to cover.
Chouhan could have four for the day but Not Not Seven who won the day’s opener was relegated to the second spot following an objection by the jockey of the third placed Spring Beauty for blocking his progress at a crucial stage of the race by drifting out of the rails and also for bumping the runner up Unchallenged.
Friendly Bond was firmly backed to win and not without reason. Friendly Bond had been rated highly by the stable and after a failed attempt in a classic over a mile; he ran some run of the mill races. Now brought back to sprint, he was at a mark where he could make his presence felt. However, with Abnoba receiving inspired support, Friendly Bond was available at nourishing odds. Still Will was available close to 10 to 1 though this moody customer runs best when he is fresh. Another Destiny led the field with a fast run with Friendly Bond in close attendance while Still Will was in about fourth or fifth position, three horses wide. Montedoro was sluggish at the start while Eagle Claws who had beaten classic winner Siachen last summer, lost position early on and fell back to the rear. Friendly Bond shook off Another Destiny to take charge, with Sweet Surrender chasing in earnest. In the meanwhile, Chouhan brought Still Will with a big run on the wide outside. The lesser fancied runner finished on strongly to get past the front runner in the shadow of the post. Sweet Surrender showed semblance of some old spark to finish third. Favourite Abnoba bled during the race and made no show. Eagle Claws and Montedoro finished on purposefully finishing within striking proximity of the winner.
Arjun Mangalorkar trained Florida had been blazing the track and since the filly had won twice in winter without being extended, she was widely expected to maintain her winning streak. There was heavy downpour before the start of the race which altered the character of the track. Jockey John had Florida led the field into the straight but under pressure, faltered and finished down the field. Romance In The Air and Corleone came into strong contention even as apprentice jockey Pradeep was working his way from behind on the wide outside on Citrali despite the kick back inconveniencing both the rider and the horse. Corleone went ahead with a furlong out but was caught up in the closing strides of the race by Citrali thanks to the persevering efforts of Pradeep. The Puttanna trainee had recorded an impressive win in her last outing and her win was not out of turn though the flop show of Florida was unexpected. The well supported Illustrious too disappointed.
Forever Glory closed home with a rush to get past favourite Top Secret to win the Southern Regent Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. With Saratoga Spring being withdrawn on veterinary grounds, Top Secret was backed to on money favouritism with Forever Glory being next in demand. When Stephane Ladjad had Top Secret in front with a furlong left and opened up a good break, it looked as though he would oblige. But the finishing burst of Forever Glory under the driving finish of Mark Gallagher put paid to the pretensions of the front runner.
M P Mahaesh trained Crown Vision was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Epsom Plate (Div I) but the favourite found foot when Missoni had established what eventually turned out to be a winning lead. From a fourth position at the bend, Crown Vision picked up steam in the straight and finished with a strong effort but fell short narrowly. The small made Crown Vision will relish a slightly extended trip. Recharged headed Its My Party at the post for the third slot. The lower division of the race too saw a winner who ran above the expectations of her most optimistic supporters. Sky Glider was pushed to the front on turning for home and the progeny of Puerto Madero put up a dogged resistance and just about held on to win from well backed Mystic Dawn who once again let down a sea of expectations. Supremacy showed up briefly but retired to finish a tame third.
Jockey Pradeep Chouhan, who had won on Still Will and Missoni, had a treble for the day as he drove out Sivanta to just about get the better of Ibelieveinmiracles. Ibelieveinmiracles came into strong contention with a furlong out but Sivanta who came through the middle with a lightening run, managed to neck out the front runner. Dancing Emeralds ran on from behind to finish third and possibly he can do better with some more ground to cover.
Chouhan could have four for the day but Not Not Seven who won the day’s opener was relegated to the second spot following an objection by the jockey of the third placed Spring Beauty for blocking his progress at a crucial stage of the race by drifting out of the rails and also for bumping the runner up Unchallenged.
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