Saturday proved to be a lucrative afternoon at work for champion jockey Christopher Alford, who booted home three winners. After piloting Agnation to a superb triumph in The Super Dancer Handicap, Alford enjoyed an armchair ride astride Conquering Love in the Ansbach Cup, before riding a well-measured finish on Hugo in the day’s feature event — The Army Cup.
Vijay Singh, Rashid Byramji and Imtiaz Sait were the trainers of the three winners respectively.
Samuel Fargeat tried to make every post a winning one with Sovereign Power in the Army Cup. However, Byramji-trained Beckham had other ideas. Despite being rated over 10kg below the Mumbai import, the Bangalore sprinter edged past the front-runner at the distance post. Riding a confident race, Christopher Alford brought Hugo with giant strides in the final furlong to peg back Beckham.
Earlier, Alford had displayed marvellous pace judgement to land the spoils with Agnation in the 2000 metres trip. Keeping the second favourite dead last till the 800 metres marker, Alford brought him with a smooth run along the rails to sail past public choice Surreale, who was making headway on the outside.
The Ansbach Cup saw Conquering Love recording the easiest win of the afternoon. The sprinter, who had lost out narrowly to Regent Appeal last time out, outclassed the opposition on this occasion. He seems a sound type, who has the potential to match strides with the best.
Apprentice Armaan Khan has been increasing with confidence with every ride. He justified the confidence of his connections, when he guided the favourite Traditional Style to a fine victory in the 1100 metres scurry for the Robert Bruce Handicap. Much in the same fashion that he had recorded his maiden triumph on Elegant Road, Armaan gradually improved his mount from the outside draw to be in striking position at the distance post and then pushed back front-running Vancouver to the runner-up berth.
The win of Royal County Down in the Gen A.S. Vaidya Memorial Cup gave trainer Robin Corner his sole triumph of the afternoon. Islam atop the fancied runner Antwan was caught napping, while the struggling Arythia found one better on this occasion.
The Vijay Sicka Memorial Trophy saw the top-weight Salazaar installed as the public choice. However, his blood vessels gave way, when the heat was on opposite the grandstand. Maiden filly Brave Quest pulled off a well-executed gamble for the Vijay Singh yard.
The curtain came down with the aged Sea Legend notching up his fifth consecutive victory (two during monsoon and three this season). Trainer Karki needs to be lauded for his modus operandi with a sprinter who was once feared in the best of company.
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