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| Able Associate |
His other three winners came astride Hall Mark, Able Associate and Axiology. Hall Mark was still a maiden while her main opponent Hill Of Grace had won a race in February. Suraj had an armchair ride to victory on Hall Mark ,as this Darius trained filly proved to be too good for her opponents. Hall Mark was held back in second spot behind The Cool One, before being given her head near the distance post. She bounded away from Hill Of Grace ,who was hard ridden to finish second. Glory Bound was always prominent in third and finished so. The rest of the runners were out of depth in this race and will need to come down in the scales before making an impression.
Suraj's riding efforts on Able Associate were a treat to watch. Able Associate was giving five kilos to Timeless Treasure. The latter had won a mock race a couple of weeks ago, and was strongly fancied by his connections. It was suggested that the connections of Timeless Treasure had declared jockey Shafiq in order to get better odds with the bookmakers. They were left to regret this decision , as Suraj's handling of Able Associate was far superior to Shafiq's handling of Timeless Treasure. While Shafiq was busy whipping Timeless Treasure in the closing stages of this race, Suraj put away his stick and rode a nice balanced race on the winner. Able associate got up in the end and won near the winning post. A majority of those present at the course opined that there would have been a different result, had the jockeys been reversed. Leopardino was a faraway third. Timeless Treasure will be too good to miss in his next start and must be backed with confidence.
The fourth link was completed with Axiology. Although he was the shortest priced amongst Suraj's four winners, Axiology was the luckiest of the lot.After sitting second for most of the way, Axiology hit the front near the 300 metres marker and opened up a fair lead over Awesome Beauty and Bee The Star. Gnaneshwar on Lush Foliage was weaving his way through a packed field ,and found galloping room only in the final furlong. Lush Foliage was gaining ground with each stride, but the winning post came to the rescue of the favourite. Axiology won in a photo from Lush Foliage. Asiaticus came with a long stretch run to take third ahead of a late finishing Tina's Triumph.
Another professional who had ample reason to celebrate was trainer Dhariwal. He was delighted to see the well bred Angelfire winning a two-year old race in resplendent fashion. This classy small made filly had too much speed for her rivals and clocked in almost a distance clear of Jamaican Bolt and Fair Option. She was money-back with the bookmakers. Dhariwal's cup of joy was full to the brim when his got abroad three year old Aristos spreadeagled a top class field over seven furlongs. This horse had won only once in his brief career, but the handicapper had given him a hefty penalty and pushed him up to Class II. For many old timers in this game, a victory for a one time winner in Class II was almost unthinkable. They were amazed to see jockey De Souza taking Aristos into an early lead and winning almost unextended from Reflection Of Gold and Succeeding Star. It will be interesting to watch the progress of Aristos hereafter.
With racing in Western India being suspended for the time being, Frenchman Samuel Fargeat has decided to ride at this centre. He opened his account for the season astride Neil Darashah's Adorabella. This filly was looking exceedingly well in the paddock and was backed strongly. In her usual front running style, Adorabella made all the running and held a late finishing Dock Of Bay. The latter was a trifle unlucky in getting baulked of a free run at a vital stage in this race. Double Emerge had all the chances at the top of the bend ,but was found to be hanging "in" throughout the straight. He finished a close third and can be earmarked for an early win in similar company.
The only other race in the day's card was won by Prithviraj's Casino Royal. There was a huge gamble landed on this filly as she was backed down from 7/2 to 6/4. Entrusted to apprentice Mohd Shoaib, Casino Royal travelled well in third position before essaying her challenge near the distance post. She swept past the early leaders Star Blue and Media Man and finally won with a measure of comfort. Much fancied Red Ruben broke down during the running of the race and finished a detatched last. He should be left alone from a betting perspective.
