The enduring charm of the Bangalore Derby

  

 

 

Pune Turns the Favourite Obsession on Its Head

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

After the Hyderabad favourites had spent the previous day ruling the roost, punters perhaps arrived at Pune armed with enthusiasm, confidence and, in some cases, the previous day’s winnings. Pune, however, has never been particularly interested in following the script. It sings to its own tune, and occasionally the tune is distinctly jarring.

 

The favourites certainly did not have their best day. There were a few fancied winners, but those regarded as almost unbeatable by the market and public imagination discovered that being a favourite and winning a race are two entirely different professions. The betting public’s obsession with favourites took another beating as long shots repeatedly gatecrashed the party.

 

The day’s feature, the 1400 metres Southern Command Gold Trophy for maiden three-year-olds, provided a finish worthy of the occasion. Dallas Todywalla-trained Noraiah, ridden by Antony Raj, overcame a mid-race interference that saw her drop to last before producing a terrific burst on the wide outside to win in a thrilling finish that had four horses virtually in a line.

 

Manuel, sluggish in the early stages, improved dramatically and was travelling well by the final turn, raising hopes that she would justify the market’s faith. Noraiah, meanwhile, found herself behind the fading David and lost further ground. El Nino led into the final furlong and Manuel, under Kritish Bhagat, appeared to have the race in her grasp as she edged past the front-runner. Noraiah, however, had other ideas. Her finishing burst settled the argument. El Nino was third and David fourth.

 

The afternoon began with a warning that the favourites might want to read carefully. She’s A Teaser, a long shot from Waheed’s stable, staved off Sky Full of Stars to win the 1000 metres Ishpingo Plate. Bravo Zulu, Trail Blazer and House of Lords attracted the money, but Bravo Zulu reared at the gates and was withdrawn. Trail Blazer then failed to produce much of a spark, finishing third after scraping past Between Friends, while House of Lords was fifth.

 

There was also an unusual objection. Trainer Narendra Lagad argued that the blindfold removal at the starting gates on House of Lords had not met the stipulated timing and suggested the horse should be treated as a non-starter for betting purposes. It was an ingenious attempt to find a new route through the Rules, but the Stewards were not tempted to take the scenic route and rightly overruled the objection.

 

The favourite Youremanorborne then swallowed another sizeable slice of public money in the 2000 metres Star Future Plate after disappointing last time out. Ashhad Asbar was flown in for the ride, and perhaps the favourite had been sent a little too far too soon. Taken on a start-to-finish mission, she had little left when the serious business began in the final furlong. Imtiaz Sait-trained Endurance took full advantage to win at long odds. Bubbly Boy was third, while Golden Dancer failed to live up to expectations.

 

The third race, the 1200 metres Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Memorial Trophy (Div I), produced another market upset. Ensky, hitherto rather sleepy at the start, suddenly discovered punctuality and jumped smartly to stay in touch with the leaders. Santana Row led with Organised Chaos in pursuit, while short-priced favourite Azadi appeared to be struggling to find an extra gear.

 

Organised Chaos headed stablemate Santana Row in the final furlong, but Ensky was gathering momentum. Umesh produced her at exactly the right time and she swept past Organised Chaos in the closing strides to land the spoils for trainer Faisal Abbas at long odds. Santana Row was third.

 

The 1600 metres September Handicap finally gave the favourite brigade something to celebrate, though not without first giving its supporters a minor cardiac workout. Victory Flair, a long shot, led into the final furlong and looked set to pull off another upset before Mahogany swooped in the dying moments to become the first favourite of the afternoon to oblige. Olive Crown was third, while Chilton Lodge, expected to improve after a forward effort last time, failed to make the anticipated progress.

 

Trainer Pradeep Chouhan, who had already watched two short-priced favourites fail, finally broke the jinx with Staria in the second division of the Manekshaw Memorial Trophy. Mother’s Gift held favouritism, but a late flood of money sent Staria almost level with her in the betting. Mother’s Gift chased Lucky Diamond into the straight but seemed to discover that favouritism was not entirely to her taste. She faded badly, while Staria, ridden by Antony Raj, produced a powerful final furlong to sweep past Lucky Diamond. Mila narrowly beat Lord Murphy for third.

 

The long shots continued their rebellion in the Col Kaikhushroo Maneckji Bharucha Memorial Trophy. Abhyankar, trained by Malesh Narredu and a last-start winner, was largely ignored in the ring as money poured in for Savage Peacock and Giant Gold. Abhyankar, ridden by apprentice Vishal, raced prominently and, despite veering out in the final furlong, proved far too good for the opposition. Tajiri and Black Thunder, both long shots, followed him home.

 

Savage Peacock, one might say, was a case of unfortunate naming. There was nothing remotely savage about his performance as he failed for the second successive time.

 

The final race at least restored some order. Alexios, who had finished three-and-a-half lengths behind D’Artagnan during the Mumbai season and had a lung-opener under his belt, was backed and duly asserted his superiority in the 2000 metres Spearhead Plate. Casspian led deep into the straight before Alexios, another winner for Antony Raj, swept past. Favourite Age of Reason ran on to finish third, while Enrich, despite attracting support, reproduced his previous performance and was never a factor.

 

So ended a day when the favourites were repeatedly invited to take centre stage, only to discover that Pune had already rewritten the programme. The punters may have arrived from Hyderabad expecting another celebration of the market leaders. Pune instead served them a reminder that in racing, public confidence is not legal tender at the winning post.

 

The favourites may carry the money. Pune, rather enjoyably, does not always carry the obligation to make them win.