Ricardo Blitzes Rivals with Front-Running

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

 

Arjun Mangalorkar–trained prolific performer Ricardo stormed to a commanding win in the Black Caviar Plate, the highest-rated event of Saturday’s Bangalore races, with aggressive front-running flair that left the rest gasping for relevance. Punters who clung to Touch of Grey’s fading legend were reminded yet again that nostalgia doesn’t pay dividends. Apprentice Aleemuddin had Ricardo in cruise mode throughout, the Dali progeny stretching away in the final furlong to leave Kalamisti and Never Give In chasing shadows in a one-sided finish.

 

Meanwhile, poor Touch of Grey, a multi-classic winner whose last victory was 419 days was backed as if nostalgia alone could fuel a comeback. Racing, however, is a cruel business that respects past reputations about as much as BTC respects confidentiality which is to say, not at all. True to current form, Touch of Grey loitered mid-pack, looked uninterested when the pace quickened, and finally checked in a tired sixth.

 

Apprentice Aleemuddin, who seems to be rising faster than BTC controversies, had Ricardo storm to the front and stay there. The son of Dali skipped away in the final furlong with so much ease one wondered if the others were held by traffic police. Kalamisti followed in respectful second, while Never Give In took third without living up to his name.

 

Flight On, once a juvenile terror before hitting career turbulence, rediscovered both rhythm and purpose in the 1200 metres Sports Authority of India Trophy. Given his opposition, he should have been odds-on, but a long medical résumé and lukewarm connections saw his price drift like a politician’s promises. Punters abandoned him, which of course meant he won  and won well.

 

Ridden by Mukesh Kumar, Flight On cruised beautifully and then produced a burst in the final furlong to snuff out Small Dreams, who briefly threatened to dream big before reality intervened. Felisa tip-toed past longtime leader Basasha to salvage place money.

 

Two horses hogged the betting in the 1400 metres Hebbe Falls Plate — Gandolfini, who at least had form, and Elveden, attempting a dramatic reversal. Naturally, neither won. Instead, Umar Shariff–trained Master Way politely ignored the market frenzy, shot to the front under apprentice Asirvatham, and turned the race into a six-length sermon on why blindly following odds is hazardous to your wallet. Gandolfini couldn’t find an extra gear when needed, and Elveden had no gears in the first place, finishing third and fourth respectively.

 

Adelanto, who had crept into relevance with an eye-catching second last time, was abandoned at the betting windows for the 1600 metres Hogenakkal Falls Plate. The ring preferred Larissa and Adornment, while Adelanto was priced like he had signed a non-compete agreement with winning.

 

Larissa led bravely under Trevor Patel, but was flashing distress signals in the final 100 metres, desperately hoping someone would move the winning post closer. Neither the gods nor the groundsmen obliged. Adornment and Adelanto came flying from behind, and the three finished in a tight cluster at the post, with Adelanto prevailing by a whisker, Adornment in second, and the exhausted Larissa hanging on for third.

 

Another tight finish unfolded in the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup, a 1600-metre showdown for maiden three-year-olds. Skagen carried the public purse but wobbled under the weight of expectations. Prince of Wales sneaked up the rails and momentarily took charge before Darrington produced a late surge under Arvind Kumar to pinch a thrilling win. Skagen clung to second by a whisker, leaving Prince of Wales third and probably wondering what more a prince must do.

 

Goddess of War, carrying Prasanna Kumar’s banner, did exactly what a Goddess should do in the Vidurashwatha Plate (Div I). She won without breaking a sweat, leaving the others stranded as Absolute Katrina and Dr Ash sorted out the minor placings. The lower division saw Ilia give Arjun Mangalorkar and Aleemuddin the first of their two wins for the day. Higgs Boson, the heavily backed favourite, finished a tame third behind Tyaaraa.

 

The Shimsha Plate, a race for the lowest category, produced drama before the gates even opened. Count Basie, the one receiving heavy support, decided he had absolutely no intention of participating and stood rooted in the stalls, presumably contemplating the meaning of life while the race took off without him. Punters, as always, took the hit. Shock And Awe did exactly that, leading from the front, but Assurances, the second fancy, overwhelmed him inside the final furlong. Shock And Awe stayed on for second, with Southernaristocrat in third.

 

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