Vintage Narredu Powers Dancing Diva to a Sizzling Victory
By North-End

Mumbai. Jan 7, 2008

The Foodlink Super Sprint, as expected, turned out to be a cracker of a race. As the six sprinters jumped out of the gates, Agha shot ahead and set a scorching pace and had Escravos (Appu) and Schubert (SP Ranjane) joining him, two further back were Rejuvenite (Grant) along with Enceladus, Dancing Diva was last about three lengths adrift. The same order prevailed as they turned for home the only change being Dancing Diva joining the pack, but still last of six.

Passing the 400 metres, Escravos stormed ahead, Rejuvenite started to chase and Schubert geared up to put in his charge.  Meanwhile, on the rails there was a near-serious accident, when Enceladus (Srinath) shifted in, trying to force his way between horses, thereby squeezing Agha (Kharadi), who consequently hit the rails badly. Kharadi did well to recover quickly and stay in the saddle. Enceladus also lost a couple of lengths in the process, only Srinath can explain this slapdash move. Fortunately, nothing nasty ensued. 

Approaching the distance post, Escravos established a handy 2 L lead, Rejuvenite being hard ridden, was closing in Schubert and finding it too hot to handle. That is when Narredu appeared on the scene. Narredu had Dancing Diva responding to his call and in the last 150 metres or so. The big-hearted mare produced a terrific burst to filch the Foodlink Super Sprint from Escravos. Rejuvenite was a good close third. “I was pretty confident and I assured the owner Das, that I would win the race in the Paddock,” quipped Malesh Narredu. “In her last outing, she lost a couple of lengths due to traffic problems and I got a clear run pretty late in the straight that time. The luck of the race just did not favour us in the Ranjit Bhat Memorial” concluded Narredu.

Trainer Asad Siddiqui endorsed this view. “Malesh did tell us that he would win. Dancing Diva (Brave Hunter – Dance Move) is a very speedy mare and I am thrilled. She proved it today. Even though she was racing in the rear, I knew she would fly towards the end. I feel I have asked a lot of her and she will now get a well-deserved rest. I will next race with her in the Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinter’s Million (Gr-2) on the weekend after the McDowell Indian Derby. If she does well there, she could well earn an invite for the prestigious Sprinter’s Cup,” ended Asad, on a confident note.

The Foodlink Services day began on a dramatic note. A small field of five jumped out of the gates for the Everson plate over a mile, Puerto Cabello showed the way to Whiskey Bandit, Tommy Carmichael with favourite Da Vinci (Srinath) settling last behind Flashing Flame (Chinoy). In the straight, Da Vinci soon took over but had Flashing Flame coming with a stiff challenge. A long and hard battle ensued as neither Da Vinci nor Flashing Flame was giving an inch. Both Srinath & Chinoy went hell for leather and towards the finish. The bob of the head was going to count with little separating the duo. On the line, Da Vinci got it right but only just! Flashing Flame ran just as brilliant a race as did the winner and should have his day soon. Da Vinci (Black Cash – Au Panache) is on a hat trick.

While all eyes were glued to the heart-stopping battle, not far behind, Whiskey Bandit ran as if inebriated. The Subhag Singh ward was erratic in his last start in Pune as well, but this time he was even more severe in not only shifting out alarmingly, but also coming back in quite dangerously and colliding with Tommy Carmichael. The Stewards promptly held an inquiry and after due deliberations decided against changing the judges placing. Whiskey Bandit, but for his erratic running, has a lot of potential.

Almarina (China Visit - Afilado) made an impressive first appearance on the Mahalaxmi track and won the Brave Hunter Plate without any undue fuss. Fargeat guided her to the front soon, as the nine runners sorted themselves out and never looked threatened at any stage. Sleight Of Hand got close to her early on straightening up but could not match Almarina’s speed and was a spent force half way up the straight. Uber Alles (Bandaal) and even Astro Boy (JE Pereira) got past the favourite, who finished a dismal 4th. Almarina was impressive and should be persisted with. Sleight Of Hand carried a lot of money down the drain and I would not waste a penny more on the filly, who clearly struggled to match up to expectations.

Intimacy (Diffident – Weathering) won in her customary 'start-to-finish' fashion. Showing good early speed, Intimacy led a comforting 2L to Medtias Pride, with the main threat Oyster Gem in fifth. On straightening up, Intimacy was unimpressed by Medtias Pride trying to come alongside, Oyster Gem started to warm and just when he began to gallop, Kishore Kadam, fearing that Medtias Pride would shift out, switched Oyster Gem in and went for the rail run. In his eagerness, he went on to Incomparable, who received a check that was enough to break his rhythm. Intimacy, meanwhile kept going and held on grimly to the late assault from Oyster Gem. It would pay to follow Oyster Gem. Hitz (Sailesh Shinde) ran on from a long way back to get into place money.

Set Alight (Razeen – Set Aside), did just that – Set the turf Alight, in the Rahimtoola Trophy, accounting for a big field of 17 runners. That she ran flawlessly on debut, speaks abundantly of her maturity, speed and ability. The Shroff schooled bay filly settled in the front bunch well with the fast pace and showed great alacrity, when Rajendra alerted her early in the straight. Set Alight responded brilliantly and soon put the issue beyond doubt. Thundering Hooves (China Visit – Stream Of Love) also ran a decent race coming out from a wide draw (16) but, found the winner too good. Thundering Hooves (Grant), was squarely beaten but he returned a good second and should bide his time. Algorithms (Ontario – Shanley) was the other contender to note. The Fargeat ridden filly covered a lot of ground to improve from the rear bunch and force her way into place money. Summing it up, Set Alight is a very promising filly and is certain to add to her tally and has shown the temperament for big races, while Thundering Hooves and Algorithms indicate that they will taste success before long.

 
Terre Blanche (Black Cash – Kilshannig), was the raging choice and Rajendra stopped many hearts in a breathtaking finish. The 'in-form' Pacemaker expectedly hit the front and worked up a nippy pace to lead the pack homeward. Star Girl who was pacing along could not keep up. Blazing Speed moved to second and Rajendra was persuading Terre Blanche to quicken. With 200 metres to go, Pacemaker showed no signs of relenting and Blazing Speed got the message. In the final 50 metres Terre Blanche with the forceful Rajendra, mounted a serious challenge and prevailed barely 10 metres form the winning post. It was heartening to notice that Shirke and Dhunjibhoy sitting together in the latter's box in the stands, witnessing a grim battle between their horses and rooting for their respective horses to win. While Shirke cringed hoping Pacemaker would hold on, Dhunjibhoy craned his neck to asses the distance, Terre Blanche had to cover. As the horses passed the winning post, Shirke was the first to congratulate the ex- Chairman of RWITC.

While the winner and runner up got all the attention, Rock Salt charged in from quite some way back to earn the place money. The long Mahalaxmi track should suit his style of running. Rock Salt is one for the notebook. Pacemaker has been his consistent self and Terre Blanche put up a great finish to indicate that there is more to come. 

Binee (PS Chouhan) garnered a lot of support and Opera Royale (Merchant) was next in demand. However, it was Hisham (SS Baria), who prevailed in a start-to-finish essay. Hisham (Conquering Hero – Sanaga) grabbed the early initiative to lead the field of nine soon on start with Sparrow Hawk in close attendance, right behind was Howling Wolf, Binee in fourth about 3 away and the rest followed, Opera Royale was 7th. They were in the same order as they turned for home. Passing 400 metres, Hisham increased his lead to about 2 L, with Sparrow Hawk and Howling Wolf offering no challenge Binee came forth but could not quicken. Opera Royale started to warm up and put up a lone fight. Hisham meanwhile, kept going and Baria's persistent efforts paid off in Hisham holding on from a fast finishing Opera Royale (Merchant) who ended a close second. Hisham, who had been knocking on the doors, was quoted at nourishing odds. 

Known Socialite and Thespian, Shabana Azmi along with Sanjay Vazirani, gave away the Trophies to the winning camp of the Foodlink Super Sprint. Shabana voiced her thrill at visiting the race course for the first time. Vazirani, in his speech, thanked the patrons and members of the RWITC. A lavish spread of multiple cuisines was spread for invitees befitting the host’s, Foodlink Services (India) Pvt. Ltd., status of being one of the top caterers in Mumbai.