Satin Slipper Romps Home In Style
By Pearcey

Mysore. July 23, 2008


Rakesh trained Satin Slipper gained an overdue success when she sailed past her eleven opponents, and won a sprint race for horses in the highest class at Mysore. This game five year old had been unlucky to lose her last start, a race in which she had met with severe interference. On the last day of the Summer Season, she had the advantage of carrying the lowest weight in addition to being drawn on the inside. Rajesh was quick to take a good position and settled her beautifully behind Snap Dragon, Victory Queen and Thunder On. She was travelling comfortably, while the others were being niggled to stay in place Satin Slipper was shown daylight near the 300 metres marker ,and she darted away to win easily from Snap Dragon, Thunder On and Regal Music. The last named was given a very ordinary ride, and would have finished much closer if his jockey had been more alert at the start.

With this victory, Rakesh was assured of the trainers championship. Gnaneshwar was declared the leading jockey in a season which shall be remembered for its keen competition and unexpected results. The relocation of a large number of older horses from Hyderabad and Western India, led to a certain amount of confusion in the minds of the racegoers. It was difficult to relate the capabilities of these horses to those stationed locally, and the public was becoming increasingly careful after the first few surprises. The outstation horses have now settled into the system, and the patrons are looking forward to the main season which commences on the 14th of July.

The Nairn Cup was the only trophy event in the day's card. The race had a very open look and the bookmakers were generous in offering 4/1 against most of the fancied runners. The close finish justified their expectations. Worth a Diamond did the usual front running and led from Faster Than Light, Dom Perignon, Lapis Lazuli and Royal Mirchi. This group was very tightly packed and the chances of anybody else coming from the rear were very remote. Royal Mirchi got the better of Worth A Diamond, and seemed to be going well when he was joined on the outside by Green Passion. Gnaneshwar was seen at his best while guiding Green Passion to a close victory over Royal Mirchi. Worth a Diamond and Faster Than Light finished in close proximity of the first two horses.

Vishal Yadav and Jagadish combined effectively to land the only double during the afternoon. Both horses were well supported and retired easy winners of their respective races. The job of Born Purple became easier when the morning favourite Aaja Aaja lost many lengths at the start. Jagadish rode him hands and heels and overtook Smile Again near the distance post. Born Purple was seen lengthening his strides and going away at the finish. Cashfirsttikernext plodded on to be third in this race for horses in class B. The victory on Pleaser was even easier than the first one. After two easy starts this season, Pleaser had been tuned for today's race. Jagadeesh had a tough time settling him in the early stages of the race, and decided to let him go once they entered the straight. The response was immediate and Pleaser went away for a seven length victory over a tiring Chamcha in Chief. The rest were outclassed.

A mile event for horses in class IV was split into two divisions. The upper division featured four horses that had won their previous starts. All four were fancied by their connections. Wazzup Dude, Wellington and Mauritius Star were capable of handling this trip and were expected to fight the finish. Stornoway had good form but that was restricted to sprinting trips. In the ultimate analysis, the penalties imposed on the previous winners told on their performances today.  Stornoway showed the way into the straight and could not be caught by any of the runners. He won by a widening margin from Wazzup Dude, while Wellington managed to finish a faraway third.  Rank outsider Berkeley Square won the other division when he stormed through an opening near the rails, and overcame the challenge from Rain God and Everlasting Joy.

Time Is Precious won a three-way thriller when she was lucky to hold on to a slender advantage ahead of Final Frontier and San Siro. Time is Precious collared the front running duo of Angel Of Faith and Careerist, and with Vijay Kumar making free use of the whalebone, started to assert her superiority. The fancied pair in this race, San Siro and Final Frontier, made a move from the rear. The three horses pulled away from the rest. The supporters of San Siro and Final Frontier were dismayed to see their horses veering out under pressure, and finishing the race on the outer strip of the race track. A couple of "necks" separated the first three horses. The upper division of this event was the concluding race of the season. On Call opened as a 5/4 favourite, but with big money flowing in the direction of Yousnooze Youloose, started the race as a 6/1 outsider. While Mr Bureaucrat and Mid Summer Star made the early running, On Call was racing in the rear. Yousnooze Youloose was tending to drift out under pressure. The last couple of furlongs of this race saw a spirited run from On Call, as she literally sliced through the field and emerged victorious ahead of Mr Bureaucrat and Cannon Run.

 

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