Successor (Ontario – Lake Of Kilamey) scorched the turf and produced a terrific display of speed to win the Arjav Diamonds Juvenile Million in an emphatic fashion. Daniel Grant got straight down to business on the 6/10 on favourite and Successor showing plenty of early speed, made it a successful pillar to post mission. Secret Affair and Mysterious Heights were racing alongside soon on start but could only match strides for a brief period. Once into the straight Grant stepped on it and Successor accelerated so well that he was beyond reach as early as mid way up the straight. Queen’s Guest (O’Donnoghue), went all out in chase but just could not catch up. Successor clocked a brilliant 58.78 seconds just half a second short of the course record. Colourful Lady, (Burden Of Proof – Color Me Red) had a good educative run and jockey CD Hayes got her from a long way back to finish ahead of Synergetic (Rajendra).
Spinoza (PS. Chouhan) had to fight hard for the Arisia Solitaire Jewellery Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Trophy (Grade 3). Showing great alacrity at the gates, Spinoza set off at a blazing pace with Bangalore challenger Rhapsidion Snow (Appu) in chase Mountain Bear was with them followed by Magic Touch, Gruezi and Dream Destiny were in the rear bunch with Diego Rivera. In the straight, Spinoza had a slender lead and had Rhapsidion Snow coming to challenge on the rails. The duo were engaged in a fierce battle. Mountain Bear fell back as did Magic Touch. Diego Rivera moved well between horses, Dream Destiny and Gruezi started warming up on the outside. Gruezi was a tad unlucky to have had to jostle with Dream Destiny and in the process could not unleash a full throttle run until close home, which proved to be a wee bit too late.
Meanwhile Rhapsidion Snow snatched the lead for a brief moment at the distance post but Spinoza again quickened under the whip to wrest back. The initiative and Chouhan must have been relieved passing the winning post, despite clocking 0.11 of a second short of the course record. Gruezi was a notable second, Rhapsidion Snow third, while Diego Rivera and Dream Destiny ended close fourth & fifth.
Earl Of Warwick (M. Narredu) opened up the day’s proceeding with a smooth and untroubled victory befitting a hot universal fancy. Leading from the start, Narredu let the second-in-demand, Imperium (Srinath) to take over and settled unperturbed in third behind Friday Friend. As they turned for home, Imperium was urged to keep going as Earl Of Warwick came to the fore. Past the 400 metres, Imperium was struggling to keep pace and Earl of Warwick soon took complete charge and with a couple of cracks Narredu sped away to score a comfortable victory. Friday Friend got the better of Imperium close home to clinch the runner up berth.
Toofan Mail made amends after his last start, loss to Athena close home. It could have been the same story yet again for Toofan Mail (Nirmal Jodha), had Ring Bearer (Appu) sustained his challenge near the distance post, but fortunately for his connections Toofan Mail fought it out and finished on well to shake off a hard ridden Ring Bearer to win by a length close home. Ring Bearer just could not keep up the momentum and failed to upset the on money favourite. Toofan Mail did cause some anxious moments and 5 furlongs looks best for him. Ring Bearer flattered to deceive and though she ran a decent race, her final effort was not too convincing. None of the others did anything worthy of mention.
Nitrous (Neeraj Rawal) was the third straight favorite to oblige. Hitting the front in his customary style, Nitrous led the small field of five all the way. Maseeha chased the leader all the way, while World War Three raced close behind along with Gaea and dreaming raced well off the pace. In the straight, Nitrous had Maseeha too close for comfort and Neeraj Rawal had to keep working to ensure that Maseeha did not spring another surprise as he did the last time out. Only in the final furlong did Nitrous start looking convincing as Maseeha was not getting anywhere and Dreaming was too far back to pose any threat, although he did manage to finish ahead of World War Three and Gaea.
Although the Southern Regent Trophy had only seven runners, picking the winner was a tough ask. Barring Fiery Future, Arabian Power & Charging Rhino, the four other contenders had their share of supporters. Interestingly the odds drifted on Amaranza (Tograllu) and the bookies offered generous odds on place as well on this pre race joint favorite. From 2 ½, the odds on Amaranza went up to 4 ½ & 14/10 for place. The Right Man (Harish) cornered much support and some money did come on Kadima (Riyaz Shaikh). Game of Power (Kishore Kadam) was discussed in hushed tones and has his share of support. On the track, Kadima hit the front with Arabian Power in tow, Amaranza, Charging Rhino and Game Of Power were up next, followed by The Right Man and Fiery Future. In the straight, Kadima enjoyed a 2L lead, which proved an asset in the end. Amaranza kept going without making any impression on the leader, Charging Rhino and Arabian Power bowed out as Game Of Power began to mount his challenge.
In the final furlong, Kadima’s lead was rapidly dwindling as Game Of Power ran on powerfully, closing in with every stride. Fortunately, for Kadima, the winning post came just in time and the top weight held on by a narrow margin. Game Of Power was unlucky and looks a next time prospect. Amaranza and The Right Man disappointed though the former ended third.
Fair Tactics (Fargeat) and Councilofthegods (Rajendra) cornered almost all the attention in the betting. As the gates flung open, Notable Runner hit the front, Red Cloud, Salandra were in touch, Councilofthegods and Fair Tactics followed close behind. At about 1000 metres, Fair Tactics running on the rails, was a bit cramped for space. In the straight, Notable Runner gave way to Salandra, who had Councilofthegods coming at him along with Here Comes The Don (Nirmal Jodha), who had improved from the rear and Fair Tactics was still stuck on the rails. At 300 metres Here Comes The Don shot ahead with Councilofthegods fighting hard, Fair Tactics once again could not find room and had to check and at this crucial stage it was fatal. Here Comes The Don finished on full of running but had Councilofthegods fighting alongside all through. In the end Here Comes The Don won by just over a length, Fair Tactics came up to be third. Fair Tactics needs to be persisted with and will have his day before long. As for Councilofthegods, he has been consistent but unlucky, and merits consideration in the near future.
Carlos (Hayes) was the strong fancy after his good second to Schnell in the Muncipal Commissioner's Trophy beating Cotswold Arms for the runner up berth. With both Schnell and Cotswold Arms winning their subsequent races, Carlos looked a cinch. However, Oyster Princess (DK Ashish) came alive with a scintillating run and did not raise even a semblance of hope for his supporters. Heifitz (Narredu) and Appreciate (SN Chavan) disputed the lead, while Carlos and Oyster Princess raced together in the 5th & 6th position. In the straight, Heifitz shook off Appreciate, but at 300 metres was overwhelmed by the fast approaching duo– Carlos and Oyster Princess. The latter put in a blazing finish and though the vedict was only half a length, Oyster Princess looked the winner a good distance away. Ponyta (Nadeem Alam) was a good third coming from a long way back. Oyster Princess has improved tremendously and has shown every indication that more is sure to come. Carlos was not disgraced and will live to fight another day. Ponyta is getting ready.
Asclepieion (Fargeat) found himself in a mediocre company for the first time and boy did he make it count. Setting well back Asclepieion was well in hand all through and improved nearing the turn. Northern Prince led the field home and was soon passed by Vanilla Sky, whose lead was short lived as Asclepieion drew closer and unleashed a power packed final burst even as Frangipani (Aadesh Kumar) joined the leaders. At 300 metres Asclepieion simply drew away and left the others fighting only for the minor placing. Frangipani secured the second spot, while Gypsy Queen came from behind to come into place money ahead of Vanilla Sky. Asclepieion showed enough to expect a repeat before long. Frangipani also gave a fairly good account of himself but found the winner too good. Gypsy Queen will need to improve as she struggled to get close to the runner up.
Among the professionals Trainers Vinayak and Sunderji saddled a double each. Nirmal Jodha was the lone Jockey to score twice.
