In the hands of jockey S. John, Salvatore produced a brilliant stretch run in the last 200 metres of the mile-long feature event at the Mysore races on Friday. The Smt Maliniraje Prasad Memorial Gold Trophy had 14 horses facing the starter. Ambiens in its customary front running style led the field into the straight, but was soon passed by Amazing One. As soon as this happened, there was a huge roar from the large supporters of this horse. However, it was Salvatore which came with giant strides on the outside and won with a measure of comfort. Copenhagen, which was ridden by an apprentice riding his first mount, came with a late run to finish third. Being a Mysore-based horse, this 6-year-old will definitely win his race over a similar trip, in the mini winter season starting next month in Mysore. Salvatore is owned by the Jhangiani family in partnership with Vijay Mallya and is trained by JS Dhariwal.
It was a very normal afternoon of racing till it was time for the start of the Huntsey Gold Trophy, the sixth race in an eight event card. Echoes of Light was the favourite for this race and had been backed all day at 10 to 6 On in the ante-post market. Suddenly, 5 minutes before the start of the race, the bookmakers became very generous and started offering odds of 18 to 10 Against. This 300% increase in odds made his backers very restless and there was a buzz around the racecourse.
The real drama unfolded on the track. This was a mile-and-a-quarter race with only 4 runners facing the starter. Two belonged to the same owner. These two were the favourite Echoes of Light ridden by C Alford and Bold Reply ridden by Suraj Narredu. Incidentally, Bold Reply was being backed at 5 to 1. C Alford, to say the least, did not give his horse a very judicious ride. Cherika led from the word "Go", followed by Bold Reply, Echoes of Light and My Friend Paul. All along this 2,000 metre trip he had the horse in third place, and made no move to improve his position till well into the straight. All this while his horse was on tight reins and was raring to go.
Cherika led into the straight and was overtaken by Bold Reply at the 300 metre marker. Only when Bold Reply had stolen a march, did C Alford show daylight to his horse. One must give credit to this game gelding for galloping resolutely and finishing 3/4 length shy at the wire. As expected, there was a hue and cry amongst the racing patrons present at the Mysore Race Club. Some of them became restless and it was the arrival of an extra batch of policemen which brought the situation under control. This whole episode delayed the rest of the card by half an hour. The Stewards of the Club have ordered an enquiry into the running and riding of this horse.
However, the masterpiece in this whole incident was that everybody including the connections ignored the winner Bold Reply. It must have been a first in Indian racing.....A winner of a Gold Trophy race was "led in" by two hapless syces.
The rest of the afternoon saw Mister Trooper, Sword of Power and Jazz Dancer score runaway victories. All three are in great heart and can win again provided the handicapper does not get their measure. Double Emerge, Lyra and Sterling Magic won close home. Jockeys K P G Appu and S John scored popular doubles.
