Jockey B Prakash’s travails and the fact that S Ganapathy and K Ganapathy were asked questions carry mixed signals. The overall impression I have is, however, that a lot of good will come out of what has happened. The Prakash punishment (missing days and the fine) is subject to appeal but the fact remains that the stewards were not satisfied with his explanation and the onus is now on Prakash to show that he could not win on Mountain Bear despite his best efforts.
Jockey Prakash rides for one of the biggest stables in the world. He has ridden some of the best thoroughbreds in India in recent years. More often than not, his mount carries the public purse. Prakash has won every big race in India at one time or another. The very thought that Prakash could have done something improper is chilling. It shakes the foundation of the horse racing game in India. There is another side. It is now clear that the authorities (at least, in terms of Mumbai) are ready to act no matter how big the names are. It is a healthy trend. It has another positive. The interests of the public must be protected and the ‘trust’ factor in racing must be maintained. Any transparent attempt to generate and keep public confidence is a step in the right direction. I will not predict a denouement in the Prakash matter. Actions speak louder than words. The RWITC has acted.
In England, there were torrential rains during the summer. Parts of the country were submerged. Southwell, an all-weather track, was washed away. The track will reopen next Tuesday. Paul Mulrennan, Dale Gibson and Dean Mckeown, three English jockeys, were on a trial workout on Monday. They came away immensely satisfied. Southwell has a fibresand surface. Gibson was full of optimism. “The racecourse is fine. It is ready. The jockeys’ room has been rebuilt and is better than ever.”
At Hanshin Racecourse near Osaka, Japan, jockey Craig Williams finished first in an International Jockey’s tournament over the weekend. Williams finished ahead of Seb Sanders, the English champion this year. America was represented by Edgat Prado and Julien Leparoux. Germany’s Andrasch Starke and France’s Stephen Pasquier were there. Hong Kong’s Doug Whyte also took part.
In Mauritius, there was another riders’ championship and it was won by Noel Callow. France’s Thierry Thuillez was the runner-up. Frankie Dettori took third.
Ryan Moore rode For Keep to victory on Saturday. Jimmy Fortune won with Salute on Sunday. Dettori’s only winner was Ndaboni on Sunday.
The Singapore-based Noel Callow was thrilled. “Beating Frankie and all these guys is fantastic. They are superb riders. I was a bit luckier.”
Frankie Dettori was relieved. “I am glad I rode a winner. I was getting a bit depressed. Now my score looks half reasonable.”
Jimmy Fortune was happy beyond words. He said, “I am delighted. I have been trying to win a race for three years.”
An international panel of handicappers has released a list of the top 50 horses in the world. Manduro is at the top. His win in the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot was the one race that influenced the panel. Dylan Thomas, Authorized and Curlin share second place. In fifth is Youmzain. Any Given Saturday and English Channel follow. Manduro did not race in the Arc. He was retired after an injury.
In 2006, in the Grade III (turf) Frances A Genter Stakes, Bayou’s Lassie led and beat back a fierce challenge from J’ray. On Saturday at Calder Racecourse in Florida, the two fillies, now four, were in the Grade III (turf) $100,000 My Charmer Handicap. Bayou’s Lassie showed the way. In the homestretch, J’ray made her bid and put her neck in front with 100 metres to go and won by three parts of a length. The time was 1 48.93 seconds for the 1,800-metre race. J’ray returned $9.20. Nine ran.
J’ray is trained by Todd Pletcher. Manuel Cruz was the winning jockey. It was Cruz’s 70th winner at the meet. J’ray is by Distant View. Her dam is Bubbling Heights, a Darshaan mare.
Manuel Cruz said, “I did not have specific instructions. My concern was breaking out of the 11-post. I let her settle about seven lengths off.”
On Saturday at Calder Racecourse, there was another stakes event. It was the $100,000 Grade III Tropical Turf handicap. Ballast won this race two years running. The six year-old gelding had drawn a blank since winning the Tropical Turf in 2006. Ballast was coming off a last place finish in Hawthorne’s Robert Carey Memorial.
Ballast got away eighth. He moved into contention with 400 metres left and ran on to lead close home. The winning margin was a neck. The time was 1 48.54 seconds for 1,800 metres and Ballast paid $9.00. Ballast is by Desert Prince. Suedoise, Ballast’s dam, is by Kris.
Kent Desormeaux had this to say: “This horse is very professional. When you are finishing a race and you have to get in between horses, you need professionalism. Once we had room in the stretch, he really got to running.”
Romance Is Diane returned to winning ways with a ‘making it all’ victory in the Grade II $150,000 Bayakoa handicap.at Hollywood Park over the weekend. The time for the 1,700-metre race on the cushion track was 1 40.90 seconds. Romance Is Diane paid $7.00.
Romance Is Diane is by In Excess-Romantic Fibs by Prized. She is trained by Mike Mitchell and was ridden by Michael Baze. Five ran. Romance is Diane won by a length.
Michael Baze was happy that his tactics worked. “I tired to be patient with her. I wanted to save as much as possible for the end. She was cruising and I did not fight her.”
Tough Tiz’s Sis was second with Garrett Gomez. Sugar Shake, the 16-10 favourite, finished last of six runners.
Here is news from Hong Kong. Miss Andretti, favoured in the Hong Kong Sprint, jogged on the sand on Monday at Sha Tin. Trainer Lew Freedman expressed his satisfaction. “I am very happy. I was pleased with what I saw. She was relaxed. Her weight is good. She is raring to go.”
There have been rumours that Miss Andretti failed a drug test and will not race. “It is a lot of rubbish,” said Mark Player, the International Racing Manager at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Darjina, the French filly, is in Hong Kong. She will run in the Hong Kong mile. She beat Ramonti in the Prix de Moulin at Longchamp. On soft ground at Ascot in late September, Darjina ran a poor race. Trainer Alain De Royer Dupre was optimistic. “She arrived on Friday. She had a good trip. Good to firm track will suit her. She is training well.” Excellent Art and Al Qasi will oppose Darjina.
Dylan Thomas had a workout Monday morning. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt missed the Japan Cup because of a drug infraction. Patrick Keating, O’Brien’s assistant, said, “Dylan Thomas thrives in good weather. He is in good order. Have been happy with him since he has been here. This track will suit him better than Monmouth Park. He is a tough horse and he is holding his form.” Aidan O’Brien is expected in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
On Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship will be contested. Doug Whyte, the perennial leader in Hong Kong, will participate. Emma Jayne Wilson, the Eclipse award-winning female jockey from Canada, will take part. Olivier Peslier of France, winner in 2006, will defend his title.
Source: NYRA, Racing Post and others
