www.indiarace.com - Reuben was brilliant on Way To The Stars - Kolkata Race Review

The Hyderabad Race Club, played wonderful hosts during the Indian Turf Invitation weekend and the rousing response from the overwhelming crowd was a fitting testimony of the sport's popularity in the city. The huge stands in the member’s and general enclosures were packed to capacity. It was a very vocal crowd that cheered and screamed all through and the horses and the jockeys gave them ample reasons to be on the edge of their seats. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and all credit to the Chairman Surendra Reddy who incidentally is celebrating his 25th year on the trot as the Chairman of the Club. His support staff too, have done a commendable job in ensuring that the mega event went without a hitch.

The Maj. PK Mehra Super Mile Cup wore a rather open look; however, Diego Rivera cornered the maximum support. As the race was flagged off, Rhapsidion Snow and Diego Rivera were both up in the front bunch but on straightening up, Rhapsidion Snow could not reproduce her previous day's run and failed to push herself. Malesh Narredu waited for the most opportune time to goad Diego Rivera into starting her battle. The Hurricane was unlucky yet again as he was caused to go wide at a crucial stage. Thus losing out on a serious crack at the Cup. Narredu timed his run to perfection and with a furlong to go urged the Pesi Shroff trained gelding who responded to the call and started to accelerate. The way Diego Rivera surged ahead, it looked as it was all over but Splendid Surprise came up with a late burst and with telling strides. The moment Malesh sensed the late challenge, he got to work over time and in the ensuing battle royal, just managed to stretch Diego Rivera's nose a tiny bit ahead of Splendid Surprise. The verdict could have gone either way.

A new record timing for the course thus was established in a fiery contest in 1 Metres 37.09 secs, the winner separated by the shortest of margins. Malesh rode a terrific race as only he can and in the post race interview said "I always knew I would win and Diego Rivera too was keen to go. I had to keep him in check and wait for the right opportunity to set her alight and when I did, he was readily responding. Albeit the close finish, I was confident and knew I had won it as Splendid Surprise and I dashed past the post together."

A delighted KN Dhunjibhoy was all praise for both his horse and jockey. "Diego Rivera had convinced me in his last victory that the Super Mile was well within grasp. He proved me right and I am happy" said KND. Pesi Shroff too, was beaming and said “he had traveled well and had peaked at the right time. The big races are always keenly contested having tough rivals with proven records to counter. I am not surprised at the close finish, and Diego Rivera has done everything right.

The Indian Turf Invitation Cup took off amidst roaring sounds from the crowd. All eyes were on Bourbon King who had settled well up in the fourth. However, Bourbon King was not his old self and retired long before the heads turned for home. With the main challenger gone, Sweeping Success came on to the scene early in the straight. Once she took charge it was all but over. Into the final furlong, jockey Prakash had sped away without taking any chances. Just when it seemed he had the race all sewn up, Regal Connection, who was steadily improving came up with a fiery challenge and the dual began with about 100 Metres from the winning post. Both Prakash and Alford were going all out and Prakash did not want to be shocked for a second time running after the Indian Derby loss. A determined Prakash was all fire and grace and skillfully managed to egg Sweeping Success on, right up to the wire. Regal Connection fought bravely but just could not get past Sweeping Success.

"I am thrilled no end, I always told boss (Dr. MAM Ramaswamy) that she will be right there. I was a lot more confident after her splendid show in the Indian Derby and was determined to win this one" concluded Prakash. “It was a truly great victory and I acknowledge the efforts of all concerned for this success" said Dr. MAM Ramaswamy.

This was jockey B. Prakash 114th Classic victory and equals the record of the legendary Vasant Shinde. For trainer S. Ganapathy it was his 70th Classic and his 4th Invitation Cup in a row. The Goldie Brown Camp once again returned successful in the Invitation Cup. This is the fifth Invitation Cup victory for Dr. MAM Ramaswamy in five years on the trot.

Oasis Star enthralled all and sundry without exception for the second consecutive day. After scoring a very stylish victory in the Sprinters', Oasis Star was once again the favourite. Carrying a 3 kg penalty for her Sprinters' Cup win, Oasis Star scored an encore even more comfortably. Sitting third till turn, Oasis Star once again encountered a nasty check, but that did not bother her one bit. As if having a steering wheel in hand jockey Srinath simply swerved around and although it broke her rhythm, Oasis Star marched on ahead full of steam at a cracking pace to simply trounce the leader. There was simply no question of anybody coming up from behind to challenge. Oasis Star is an extremely impressive and talented filly and looks full of potential to match strides with the sprinters across the borders. I sincerely hope that the powers that be, do all possible to test the best Indian Sprinter on the Asian Racing circuit at least.

Three of the Big Four Races during the weekend were won by horses nominated from the RWITC; Arabian Knight came in from the BTC.

Realizing the stature and hype of the Invitation weekend, The Hyderabad Race Club, in association with Buddy Productions arranged to telecast all the important races "Live" on Zee Spots. The show hosted by Mohit Lalvani with Ameeta Mehra and the famed tennis sportsman Enrico Pimperno as guests turned out to be a great show. The response from the viewers was tremendous as the 'On Line' calls were flooding with different and interesting queries. This overwhelming response is a certain indicator that Horse Racing in India has a large following and the crowd that actually come to the race course is not the real number of the racing enthusiasts. Other Clubs must take a cue from the HRC and promote Live telecasts of races at their centers and ensure that the sport gets the due publicity. It's about time that Indian Racing captures the interests of the general public and there surely is no dearth of interest and excitement in horse racing. Cricket hogs all the limelight in India and one good reason for that is the immense efforts put by the administration towards promoting the sport. Television is the biggest medium of promotion and it is up to the various Clubs to take initiative and gain maximum mileage.