A trumpet for the classic races has been blown at the Delhi races. The North India 1000 Guineas, the first in a series of three blue riband races, was held on Tuesday and was won by none other than Aleem Khan-trained Soul Satisfaction.
In the absence of MAM Ramaswamy's brigade, the coveted event failed to attract more than three fillies and they too came from one stable. Actually, 11 runners were left after the second forfeit with eight from Aleem's stable. However, the leading stable was very much aware that the prize was within its reach, as the other three entrants (Elegant fashion, Divine Heights and Lizy Arden) had no calibre to match.
After getting out of the block, Trinity took the lead with early hiccup and the favourite Soul Satisfaction was following her strides with Sangreal unable to keep up with the pace. As the duo headed for the turn, Rajinder geared up the market-fancied to snatch the issue but the leader didn’t oblige. However, the last 100 metres turned out to be a decider. Soul Satisfaction responded under the quirt to register a length victory over Trinity, who fought a die-hard battle in a re-run. Though Soul won but it was the run of Trinity that became the talk of the intervals. She should be able to score over the similar distance very soon. Soul Satisfaction will have a tough task ahead in the 2000 Guineas to be held in December. Interestingly, the winner enabled the Owners - Rajesh Sahgal and Sultan Singh, trainer A Khan and jockey Rajinder to get their second classic title in Delhi.
"I had a number of runners but most of them had to run in a quick session that forced me to let the trio carry the second classic hope for the stable," Aleem told me. "I am delighted with the display of Trinity. She should definitely be a hard nut to crack over the sprints distance," Aleem said.
The day saw yet another classy horse bouncing back to its glory - Brahmaputra, who bettered the five furlongs track record by the decimal 15 seconds. Coming out of the widest stall of nine, Rajinder pushed the three year-old colt to hit the front and the rest became the history. En route to smash Dream Fantasy’s 59.47 seconds record, which was set two years ago, he was fully eased down in the last part which allowed Last N Impression to dare to finish closer by one-and-a-half-length. Interestingly, Brahmaputra remained unbeaten at this course and his next destination will be the second blue riband race. "I am quite happy with the brilliant turn of foot of the trainee and now I must say that he will definitely help the stable to make a classic sweep by winning the 2000 Guineas and Derby as well," Aleem said.
The opener - Ruby Tuesday Plate (Div I) - saw a close finish between Triple Crown, Graduate and Private Eye. The first-named prevailed by heading out Graduate, who was pulled up lame. Private Eye, who was backed to the conclusion, was ridden out poorly. Otherwise, the result would have been changed.
Inspector Eagle recorded a comfortable win in Divine Comedy Plate (Div I). K Narender, who was suspended in the previous outing, made no mistake while guiding the fortune of the colt. Yet another victory is on the cards.
Mumbai-imported Crimson Red managed to survive under the sufferance in the lower division of Divine Comedy Plate (1,400 m). Chand had the gelding in the third position till the top of the homestretch and stepped into the leaders boot from 250 metres. But he never allowed the mount to get a clear lead before surviving by a neck over Balle Balle from whom he had grabbed the lead. Crimson Red should be followed till beaten over the longer distances.
In the rest of the races, Irawant, who finished third to Yale in the Ruby Tuesday Plate (Div II), has now come to hands. Murban, who was never allowed to be settled before finishing fourth in the same race, will be in different shape over 1,200 metres and more. Fraud (Rajinder atop) tamed Candavega in a thrilling finish in the Red Handed Plate (Div I) over six furlongs. Fraud, whose best performances always come over the mile, was in sixth position before the race come to a head. Tokaido, who finished third, lost the hope after galloping through the standside and alongside Striving Higher, who was drifting out badly in the straight. El DOrado brought the curtain down in an impressive manner by going in start to finish attempt. He proved that he has no match over the sprint distance.
