Aquadisiac Romps Home in Style
By North-End

Pune. August 23, 2008


Champion Jockey C Rajendra booted home a grand double partnering two heavily fancied favourites Shroff-trained Aquadisiac and Manglorkar's Wahy to the delight of followers of money, causing no anxious moments whatsoever. Both won their respective races in style and authority.

Aquadisiac (Storm Trooper-Innocent Pleasures) went to the post at evens with no close second favourite in the ring. True to the betting trends, the runner-up finished 'miles and more' away. Fantastic Fury made the initial running and faded once in the straight. Aquadisiac settled well in the fourth alongside Kingdom Of Love behind Rococo and Miles And More. The last named was not up to it at all and jockey Malesh had to give Arti Doctor gelding a couple of 'wake up' calls even as they approached the 4-furlong mark. Miles And More didn't wake up and finished way behind. Rococo upped the ante nearing the turn but Aquadisiac was right up to the task and without undue hurry soon took charge early in the straight. Rajendra started off with a couple of taps on the gelding's shoulder and a solitary crack just before the distance post. Aquadisiac galloped with fury and romped home lengthening his strides putting up a brilliant show of class speed and stamina. He was just 0.32 secs off the record timing despite easing up in the last 100 metres. Taanush improved in the straight to beat the rest. The Nandas' owned 4-year old from the Shroff stables surely will make a mark over the distance and is currently in rousing form. Can repeat even over an extended trip.

Rajendra immediately followed it up with another facile win astride Wahy (Alnasr Alwasheek- Arrnetta) in the very next race. Available at 5/4, Wahy trounced the opposition devouring ground briskly to draw away in the homestretch. Sitting sixth in the early part Wahy, who was tailed all the time by 'next-in-demand' Ptolemy, broke away and had the rest struggling to keep pace. Rajendra never once used his whip hand and nursed Wahy to a comfortable victory compiling an impressive back-to-back double. Wahy, owned by Mr and Mrs RA Rashid and Mr and Mrs R Rashid, will be a force to reckon with even in her next run. Ptolemy was squarely beaten but will live to fight another day. Trainer Sandeep Manglorkar has done a good job in keeping Wahy in superb touch and the filly is bound to improve further.

The Rose De Bahama Trophy for horses in the lower class was won by The Rebel from trainer Rehanullah Khan. While Personal Point opened the clear favourite, last minute bets were all garnered by Katania so much so that the odds on the former drifted alarmingly and both closed as joint favourites. Katania hit the front along with Maamme Bijoux Personal Point, The Rebel and King Of The Ring made the front group close behind. Blazing Angel and the rest were a couple of lengths further behind. In the straight, Katania buckled under pressure and Madamme Bijoux took over. The Rebel (Mischevious Music–Strike It Right) was warming up nicely and joined the leader. Personal Point wasn't making any progress and was beaten for the place money by lesser fancied stablemate Blazing Angel who came from behind and was an eye-catching third. Keep an eye on this filly. The Rebel did not have to work too hard although the margin showed less than two lengths. Rehan has done well to keep the 6-year old gelding in forward form after his last start victory in Mumbai over five months ago. He was the oldest in the bunch and took on the younger lot (most of them half his age) gamely.

The Class Apart Plate was another race that generated a lot of interest as this race was vied by unraced three-year olds. Red Chili (Hymn-Solid Selection) who was tracking well was installed the first favourite though at lucrative odds (13/4). Malesh played a perfect foil to the Magan filly and won end-to-end in a convincing manner. Sierra Vista, who raced in the mid-bunch till the straight, improved under the whip to finish second but could go no closer than a good 3½ length from the winner. Attractive Girl took the place money easily keeping Sioux Chief at bay. Red Chili was clearly the best-prepared 3-year old and won with authority.

Beau Monde (Warrshan-Momentous) scored an encore and followed his last start win with another start to finish effort. Red Dawn the favourite disappointed and ended a tame third. Beau Monde hit the front soon on start and led comfortably till the finish. There was no worthy challenge from any quarter and Sunny Chinoy had no trouble guiding the Naren gelding to a comfortable victory. Born To Lead improved to run second while Red Dawn was a listless third.

Accumulate (Black Cash-Winning Spurs) from Imtiaz's stable put her best foot forward and won at lucrative odds. Favourite Secret Talk was right up there all the way and went down fighting. Accumulate who as fourth with the front bunch charged up late past the distance post and strode away closer home. Real Dream, who slipped past the Nyala the leader through the rails, was not giving up and ended a notable third along side the favourite. Ravishing, who was languishing in the rear for the most part, did very well in the closing stages, edging out Nyala for a place in the frame. A run or two more and Ravishing could be ready for better results. Accumulate was the most impressive.

Touch Of Land was the hot favourite but found Mubarras a thorn in the flesh. Attempting it right from the start, Mubarras was soon joined alongside by Touch of Land all the way till the turn. Mubarras (Major Impact–Mysterious Ways) had a lot left on turning for home and galloped away for a comfortable win. Touch Of Land was puffing to match strides and gave up past the distance post. Rose Bourbon ended a good third while Fire Queen attracted a second glance as she improved and figured in the frame despite being a bit erratic and going wide.

Rajendra was the lone pro to score a double.

 

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