True Elegance Wins PRA Independence Trophy
By North-End

Pune. Aug 15, 2008


Rank Outsider – True Elegance ended up 'Calling the Shots' in the PRA Independence Trophy and was truly the 'Liquidator' of his rivals. On a more serious note, True Elegance (Brave Act – Antonietta), owned by the Thakurs ran with clinical precision and out lasted the opposition to clinch the prestigious ten furlong race sparing a length to Chevron. The favourite Liquidator was disappointing to say the least and had nothing left in the tank even before the bend. Liquidator wasn't the quickest to start, Uruj was even slower. Liquidator brushed up rapidly to make up for the slow start and soon settled behind the leader Calling The Shots. Vale Of Leven who was right up with the leader, simply crashed out nearing the bend and finished dead last, a distance away from the bunch.  

Calling The Shots did just that until the field turned for home. True Elegance was racing in the second half of the field, with jockey Amyn Merchant nursing her patiently. Amyn gradually improved position, judging the pace to perfection and moved up to be in striking position as the race heated up. Calling The Shots was still travelling well as the heads turned for home. Chevron who too was in the latter half for the most part, improved to be well in touch with the front runners. The way Chevron was moving, it appeared that he might collar the opposition but Amyn's gritty effort kept the Imtiaz trainee at bay and True Elegance held on to win by a length. Chevron is the one to follow. Calling The Shots ran on to finish third and it might pay to watch him over a slightly shorter trip.

Angel's Glory (Warrshan – Pas De L'Argent) extended her winning streak to four consecutive victories between Mumbai and the current Pune Seasons. Highland Conquest, an impressive winner on the first day and Monopoly who had put the Ganapathy charge under pressure in their last encounter in Mumbai was the only two threats to the Ramaswamy filly. The others only seemed to make up the numbers. All three of them showed urgency in grabbing the early lead and Monopoly it was that showed the way. The rest were completely outpaced. The trio was within two lengths with Monopoly close on the rails, Highland Conquest in the middle. As the heads turned for home, Monopoly was challenged by Highland Conquest and Angel's Glory was just beginning to warm up. With 400 metres to go, the three were together and seemed heading for a close finish. However, at the distance post Angel's Glory simply bounded forward and ran away with the race with her powerful finish. Monopoly and Highland Conquest finished together a neck separating the two. Angel's Glory is developing into a formidable sprinter and will always be in the reckoning over a sprint.

Spitz (Warrshan – Aquatic Wonder) was the only odds on favourite in the day and won the Majestic Eagle Trophy is style. Samuel Fargeat got her straight down to business and the Zadmal trained colt owned by the Jains in partnership with Mr. Patel and the trainer himself, pocketed the race untroubled. Spitz brought the field home and once they rounded the bend, Spitz sped ahead and kept adding turf between himself and his rivals. It was a well compiled victory. Galacita improved from fourth to finish runner up piping Itsracingafterall. Victory Star was not up to it and fell back finish fourth. Galacita is showing improvement and so too is Itsracingafterall.

Vantage (Black Cash – Arcidia) put in an impressive display to beat Alohamora close home covering considerable ground in the home stretch, in the day's opening event. In fact with only 200 metres to go, Alohamora was about 3 lengths in front and striding well. Past the grand stands Malesh exerted the best out of Vantage and the Shroff ward literally flew in the dying moments to collar the leader just a couple of strides from the winning post. Vantage dished out a promising finish, raising hopes for a repeat even over an extended trip. Alohamora was never disgraced in defeat and should have her day before long.

Nara reared up awkwardly as the gates flung open and lost the race there and then. Firecracker made all the running till the turn. Chopasni chased the leader with Just Blessings and Ragina close behind with Arabian Guest. Dynamite ran a detached last. Chopasni took over from the tiring Firecracker. Regina (Storm Trooper – Mogul Madness) warmed up nearing the distance post and shot ahead to run clear of the rest. Chopasni fought hard but was humbled. Nara was clearly unfortunate and would have been involved in the finish if not for her starting debacle.

Beau Monde (Warrshan – Momentous) was a bolt from the blue from Naren's yard. Dance Maestro and Giocometti ruled the market trends. Game Of Talent was the front runner but retired soon on turning for home. Beau Monde improved at the bend and soon charged decisively ahead. Giocometti started to apply pressure on the leader. Beau Monde, however, stubbornly held on and Giocometti could only reduce the margin. It was Dance Maestro however, who impressed me the most. He was not in the best of positions early on. In fact he tailed the field for the most part of the journey and was hampered for clear passage most of the way in the straight as well. When he did get a clear run, the race was as good as over. He covered ground though and should make amends the next time out.

Wahy, the favourite for the 7th race, misbehaved at the start and dropped the jockey during the stalling operations. Rajendra was seen clutching his head and looked in pain. He later clarified that Wahy bobbed her head hitting him in the process and it was some blow that he took! Fortunately he only blacked out for a moment and felt a tad tizzy that was all. He is fit and was only in a momentary daze, he assured.

Oh So Romantic and Babeinthewoods were next in demand after Wahy. Very Bonafide was the one to take the early initiative, closely followed by Highland Warrior. Oh So Romantic was in fourth or fifth, Babeinthewoods came next and Indian Summer raced even further behind. At 800 metres one would give no chance to Indian Summer, the way Nirmal Jodha was pushing and egging him on. However, Indian Summer made rapid progress around the 600 metres and marched ahead soon on turn. Oh So Romantic and Babeinthewoods were right there but Indian Summer galloped on in the straight and only Oh So Romantic offered some resistance. The rest were clearly beaten giving Narendra Lagad a lucrative double.

Narendra Lagad's Vijay Bhava who was hotly fancied, however, disappointed.  Nirmal Jodha who replaced Rajendra on the favourite was tailing the field soon on start. Xiamen (Placerville – Big Bertha) took a good jump and after hitting the front, galloped further ahead in the straight giving no chance to any of his rivals to catch up. The Nagpal owned Kolse trainee galloped gamely away relishing the conditions and sparing close to four lengths at the finish to Rising Princess. Rising Princess tried to catch up in vain and was easily the best of the rest. Arabian Speed fought for the second spot but could only manage to get to within half a length of Rising Princess. Vijay Bhava raised no hopes at any stage and finished one off the frame. Rising Princess is the one to note.

 

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