Darius trained Echoes Of Light was an even money favourite to win The Nilgiris Trophy, the feature event in Friday's race card at Bangalore. He had been moved to Mumbai at the end of the Mysore season along with many other horses belonging to the same stable. In the only run that he had at that
centre, despite losing ground at the start, he finished strongly to run a good third in a mile event. The connections decided to bring him back to Bangalore to have a tilt at the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby. Unfortunately for all concerned the Derby got cancelled, and they had to wait a couple of weeks, in order to get a race for him over a staying trip. He had worked extremely well and was accordingly backed down by his supporters. The bookmakers were not so hopeful because Echoes Of Light was a winner of only one race and was taking on class II opposition in this race.
Suraj Narredu had Echoes Of Light in box seat as Cherika set a good pace with Saptashwa, Chilly Wind and Assert The Right following the favourite in close order. The second in demand Angelique lost her chances at the gates by missing the kick at the start. Echoes Of Light took over the running at the
bend and went a couple of lengths clear of the field, before the rest started to close in on him. Hard ridden Saptashwa and Assert The Right came with giant strides in the last hundred metres, but the favourite was able to hold them at bay. Suraj put away the stick and pushed him past the winning
post in a very smart timing for this 1800 metres event.
The sparingly raced Script Ure Destiny has had problems in staying fit in her short career. She was a top class performer last winter and was expected to go to the highest class. She had a knee chip surgery recently, and had been treated for other ailments in the last few months. Although she was an
ante post favourite for this sprint race in class III. She had no further support and her price drifted to 8/1 at race time. There was strong support for Lush Foliage, Afea and Sporting Master in this event. Jockey Hayes took a smart jump from the outside draw and had Script Ure Destiny in second
spot, as Lush Foliage got down to business and made all the running. Lush Foliage had a good lead into the straight but it was amazing to see the acceleration unleashed by Script Ure Destiny. She went away from the field without being tapped even once by her jockey, and finally won easing up from
a late finishing Afea and Movie Queen. Lush Foliage packed up like a pricked balloon and was unable to save place money. Padmanabhan has done wonderfully to get this filly back into action, and barring accidents, Script Ure Destiny should soon be racing in top class company.
The maiden’s race was split into two divisions. The upper division saw a lot of hype around the Byramji trained Lotus Leaf who was making her first appearance on a race track. She displaced the Appu ridden Pinaakini at the top of the betting board as loads of money was wagered on her. Ryan Marshall
took her to the front and seemed to be going well ,when she suddenly shortened her strides and came to a trot in the last 200 metres. The whole field swooped down on to Lotus Leaf, and finally it was the Samar Singh trained duo of Little Splendour and Neel Gagan who finished first and second. Pinaakini ran a close third. The lower division also saw spirited betting on Mudeer Power and this time the money was well placed. Appu had no problems in overtaking the frontrunning Star League and romping home for an easy victory over Lester and Sheer Gold. Most of the youngsters racing at
this time of the year are backward and are busy completing their obligatory runs in order to get a formal rating from the handicapper.
Apprentice Vinod Shinde had another successful afternoon as he rode a back to back double on Shisham and Fanaa. Both these victories were start to finish affairs and were confidently handled by this youngster. Shisham had some fair form and track work to back her claims, and although she was
briefly challenged by Anoosheek, she quickened nicely and went away from the field. Anoosheek, Buck Passer Junior and South Parade finished in a heap and the camera was consulted to separate the three of them. Fanaa took off in her normal frontrunning style and was given a tap or two before she passed the winning post ahead of Royal Hero, Trafalgar Square and Maahi Ve. Royal
Hero lost precious ground at the gates and lives to fight another day. He should be followed in his future engagements.
Srinath rode Sudden Thunder for trainer Dhariwal to a hard fought victory in a mile race for horses in class IV. This well backed horse had to be hard ridden before he got the better of Lightnin Blues, Double Elite and Don Cherry. All four of them were abreast at the 200 metre marker, at which
point the favourite seemed to have interfered with Lightnin Blues . De Souza raised the expected objection, but it was overruled in quick time by the stewards. Dhariwal led in his second winner for the day when Artic Blast made all the running and lasted out to win from a fast finishing Southerner
and Rebellious. Jockey S De Souza, with this win on Artic Blast, completed a dozen winners during his brief stint at Bangalore and is reported to be returning to his country after the weekend. He has left a fine impression on the race goers at this centre.
