"Golden Edition, Czar Alexander or Mountain Bear will fight out
the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby” -- was the prophecy of most Racing
pundits. Gobelin had other ideas. The I.A. Sait-trained bay filly bred
at the Manjri Stud Farms, sporting the colours of J.M. Patel, Dr. Shashi
Chand Jain, Vivek Jain and Rohit J Patel, produced a scintillating turn
of foot at the business-end of the high-profile race and clinched the
trophy for its owners in a very convincing fashion. It was a first Pune
Derby win for trainer Imtiaz Sait, who couldn’t have asked for
a better Id gift!
Jocey K.P.G. Appu, obliviously rode a well strategised race, keeping
the filly at the rear, well off the pace for most part of the journey.
Nitrous dictated the early pace and led through the back stretch and
did well to hold on to a slot on the final frame.
Mountain Edition disappointed a large following and it was just wasn’t
his day. Even though he was prominently poised in the run for home,
he couldn’t produce his best and weakly faded out of contention.
In contrast, Mountain Bear, despite having to encounter a severe check
just as he was gaining in momentum, did well to come back well and finish
a good third, his break in rhythm notwithstanding.
Czar Alexander, second for the most part, had no answer to the fiery
assault of Gobelin and failed to even figure in the frame. Alvida did
a better job for the Dhunjihoys and finished a notable second.
Gobelin was indeed the star of the day. Due credit must go to Appu
as he rode a flawless race confidently all through. His timing in moving
out from the rails and improve his position was spot on as Mountain
Bear passed the check he received on to Spiritual Flame. Had he not
moved, he may have been effected. As luck would have it, Appu would
only find about the check when he watched the replay.
Nitrous, Czar Alexander, Alvida were in the 'freeze frame' as the heads
turned for home. The Czar bowed out a little later along with Golden
Edition while Alvida was testing the front-running Nitrous when Gobelin
burst on to the scene. Gobelin sealed the fate of them all with an amazing
final turn of foot and the next moment Appu was punching his right fist,
whip in hand, in the air in triumphant delight. A whip he hardly needed
to use!
