Sandesh in Command with Five-Win Blitz
By Sharan Kumar
Racing these days seems to have misplaced its
competitive spark. One-sided affairs are becoming the norm, and though
favourites continue to rule the roost, their odds are so miserly that even a
single upset leaves punters nursing their losses — a situation worsened by the
punitive 40 per cent GST. With expensive entry tickets and little adrenaline
left to savour, the ordinary racegoer is left more frustrated than thrilled.
It’s time the authorities examined why the sport’s edge is dulling — perhaps
the handicapping system needs a rethink to revive excitement and
unpredictability.
Saturday’s Pune card was a perfect illustration of the
trend. Leading jockey A Sandesh had a day out, booting home five
winners — most of them virtual processions. The only relief came in the Gr
3 Threptin Fillies & Mares Stakes, where long shot Regina
Memorabilis upset the market leaders Psychic Star and Thalassa,
both running at cramped odds.
The feature event, a terms race for fillies and mares
three years old and over, attracted a modest field. Pesi Shroff’s
much-fancied Psychic Star, unbeaten this season, appeared vulnerable
under the heavy impost she was asked to concede to classic-placed Thalassa.
Meanwhile, Regina Memorabilis, a consistent performer who had earlier
finished second to her stablemate Odysseus, was all but forgotten by the
betting public.
Madame Rich
made the early pace, pulling clear before fading at the turn. Behind her ran Queen
of Kings, Regina Memorabilis, Psychic Star, and Thalassa.
The latter, in receipt of eight kilos from Psychic Star, would have benefited
from racing handier instead of being tailed off early — her staying prowess
clearly ill-suited to a belated charge. Sandesh, fresh from a string of wins,
adopted the same unhurried approach he’d use over 2800 metres, and Thalassa
could finish only fourth behind the pace-setter.
Regina Memorabilis,
meanwhile, pounced on the leader at the bend and surged clear. Psychic Star
tried to bridge the gap but couldn’t peg her back, finishing second, just under
a length adrift. Madame Rich held off the weary Thalassa for
third. The result was a welcome reminder that form and weight still matter more
than reputation.
Stewards Set a New Precedent
The Panamera Cup (Div II), for horses rated 20
to 46, brought about a rare and commendable precedent. At the jump, Empower
was disadvantaged as the start was given before the horse was ready, losing
several lengths. Though the race was won by favourite Seneca, who held
off Remmy Red, the Stewards — after enquiry — declared Empower a non-starter
for betting purposes.
This decision, mirroring international turf standards,
ensured fairness: the owners retained their stake money while punters weren’t
penalized for circumstances beyond control. It was a first for Indian racing,
even if it meant delayed dividends as officials worked through the formalities.
The lower division went to another favourite, Wings
of Fury, trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, who led from the start and
resisted Timeless Fortune’s late challenge despite drifting out. Red
Merlot snatched second in the final stride. Sandesh’s victory here
completed a remarkable five-timer — an achievement few riders manage on a
seven-race card.
Ultimo, from Pradeep
Chouhan’s yard, justified heavy support in the Gruezi Plate (1400m),
for horses rated 40 to 66. Sandesh sent him straight to the lead and never
looked back, coasting home comfortably. Ataash once again had to settle
for second, while Alpine Star pipped Spanish Eyes for third.
King Ke, trained by Pesi
Shroff, maintained his winning streak in the Rao Saheb Kedari Gold
Trophy, scoring an emphatic pillar-to-post win under Vivek G. The
short-priced favourite stretched clear by six lengths, with Black Thunder
snatching second from Doctor Dolly on the post.
The October Handicap (1200m) went the way of Faisal
Abbas’s Darcy, another short-priced favourite, who made every post a
winning one. Charlie Brown disappointed yet again, while Ministry of
Time and Esteban filled the minors.
The day closed with Dallas Todywalla’s Wind
Dancer clinching the Yoginder Singh Salver. As odds on Come
September drifted alarmingly, punters latched onto Wind Dancer, and
Sandesh obliged — sitting off the pace and sweeping past Escape Velocity
inside the final furlong. Star Impact ran on for third.
The day may have belonged to Sandesh, but the pattern
remains worrying — predictable races, odds-on favourites, and a fading sense of
challenge. Regina Memorabilis’s upset offered a fleeting spark of the
old thrill, but unless the sport reclaims its competitive balance, even the
most faithful turf enthusiast might begin to wonder if racing’s true heartbeat
has gone missing.
Comments
Post a Comment