For the second day in succession, trainer Padmanabhan proudly led in the winner of the day's feature event at Bangalore. After Dancing Highness on Saturday, it was the turn of Noble Prince to display his amazing turn of foot, while winning The Chief Justice's Cup at the races on Sunday. There are minor similarities in the career graph of these two horses. Apart from being stablemates, these two had performed well as three year-olds during the last summer season at this centre. Both were expected to attain greater heights in their careers, but suffered minor setbacks in training and were put on the repair list. They were brought back into racing at almost the same time in the winter season, and performed creditably. They chose the same weekend to shine on the Bangalore track, and last but not the least, bookmakers were equally generous on both these horses, as one could back both of them at 5/1 in the betting rings.
Noble Prince was a worthy winner of The Indian St Leger in late March, and was prepared carefully for Sunday's race on the local track. He had won a mock race last month, and was on his toes as the horses were paraded in the paddock. Diabolical, Alekona and the favourite Sweeping Success were also noticed to be looking well. The betting boards indicated the open nature of this race. The Chief Justice's Cup has traditionally been a very competitive event, and it was no different this time. Retribution set a strong pace ahead of Vanquish, Noble Prince, Sweeping Success and Alterio, while the rest were in close order as the field started to take the climb near the 600 metres marker. The frontrunners began to tire near the home bend, as Alekona came on the wide outside and took over the running. Diego Rivera went in chase and collared Alekona, while Noble Prince was seen to be gaining ground on the rails. The three of them pulled away from the rest and it was obvious that the "Prince" was travelling the best of the lot. Wayne Smith pulled him towards the outside and showed him daylight. With a few metres still to travel, Noble Prince headed Alekona and scored a popular victory, while Diego Rivera ended a close third. Talk Of The Devil came with a late run to finish a faraway fourth. Sweeping Success was seen shortening her strides inside the final furlong, and should be left alone for a while. Mothers Pride showed a marked improvement while finishing ahead of many highly rated horses. The winner distinguished himself by breaking the course record set by Elusive Pimpernel in the same race in 1995. Noble Prince, in his present form and physical condition, is capable of toppling the best in the country.
There was a general buzz in the stands during the afternoon when the Arjun Mangalorkar trained Tomsk achieved his third success in a row, and pulverised the opposition in a class three race over 1,400 metres. This talented chestnut colt was set to concede weight to his more illustrious rivals who had placed in some prestigious races during the Mumbai season. Tomsk was considered to be a relative novice as he had started his racing career barely six weeks ago. His trainer had pitched him over 1,100 metres in his first outing before running him over six furlongs in his next start. He had won both those starts while coming from behind and this had encouraged Arjun to step up the distance in this start. The betting for today’s race was basically restricted to the two market leaders. Karthik Ganapathy's Southern Summit was odds-on while Darius-trained Inspiring Trust could be backed at 5/2. Tomsk had no takers at 7/1. The race was run at a fast pace, and with the lead changing in the backstretch, it was Iaepetus who showed the way to Southern Summit and Inspiring Trust as they straightened for home. Tomsk was running many lengths behind in last-but-one position at this stage. There was a sudden cheer from the stands as the favourite Southern Summit took over the running and got the measure of his closest challengers. Very few people noticed John producing Tomsk on the wide outside and urging his horse for a response. What happened thereafter was a shock for most present at the race course. Tomsk produced an outstanding gallop and spurted away from the rest .He was eased up while passing the winning post, almost five lengths clear of Southern Summit, Iaepetus and Inspiring Trust. This was the first hat-trick of the season. His style of running indicates that he will be better suited over longer trips. This is "good news” for his trainer, who now plans to run him over a mile in the richly endowed Usha Stud Million at the end of the month.
Suraj Narredu continued with his winning ways as he scored a double with Distinctly Ahead and Afea . The well-bred Distinctly Ahead (Placerville-Stately Home) was too speedy for his rivals as he made all the running to win from Abs Fabs and Simple. Abs Fabs lacked initial speed and could not take advantage of her inside draw. She came with a late run after the leader had skipped away from the field. She should be too good to miss in her next start. Simple was a victim of a skirmish at the start and was unable to keep pace in the early stages of the race. She made late progress and saved place money. Distinctly Ahead gave veteran trainer Rashid Byramji a double for the day, as he had scored earlier with Lotus leaf. Suraj was very effective on Afea, as he rode her patiently and goaded the filly to produce her best at the all important end. He kept Afea in second last position before improving her position on the wide outside. There was a belated challenge from Olivia Valere, but it was not good enough. Zafar plodded on to be third.
Ganapathy-trained Star Presentation was a firm favourite to win a mile race for horses in class II. The odds against this horse began to rise as we approached race time. Many experts present at the course opined that it is very difficult for a winner of one career start to score in class II. They were proved wrong as Star Presentation scored an emphatic victory in this race. Allowing Queen Rania to dictate terms till the final furlong, Prakash drove Star Presentation to the front and went away from a heavily whipped Golden Shadow and Echoes Of Light. Van De Star ran below par and should be left alone for the rest of the season. Star Presentation will be a prominent campaigner in the Pune season.
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