Star Wave (Placerville – La Bonne Vie) displayed sheer brilliance close to the business end of the Mahalaxmi track to shock the comfortably leading, Kiara (China Visit – Blue Ridge), covering almost 10 lengths and 4 rivals in the home stretch to blaze away with the Mayor’s Cup. Star Wave (O’ Donnoghue) was the pre race favourite and very well supported, but would not have anyone believe that she would make it even at the distance post!. Kiara (Rajendra) shot into the lead from the start, worked up a sizable lead and was a good 4-5 length ahead with about 400 metres to go.
Star Wave was in the 5th position as they turned for home. Kiara looked a winner at this stage and kept up the momentum for quite a while. Past the distance post, Kiara still had a good 4L lead, when O’Donnoghue began to urge Star Wave and the chestnut filly responded with such an awesome turn of foot to clinch the issue, that left many at the venue believe that she is in the Classic mould. It sure is early days for the filly but this is a very promising start, which augurs well for the future. “She is a very good type, and I am impressed with the way Star Wave covered so much ground. Her final burst was amazing,” said a thrilled. Dr. MAM Ramaswamy, who came in from Chennai just to watch his filly and Bourbon King.
Kiara, for the third time in a row, found one better. However, you cannot fault her. Successor first, Red Romeo and now Star Wave all high quality youngsters. Kiara will surely have her day. Bourbon Queen was a tame third and had Classic Ruler for company on the winning post.
Bourbon King was next on view, but the hang over of Star Wave’s heady speed lingered on even as Bourbon King left the paddock for the gates. The R.R.Ruia Gold Cup is an important station en route to the Indian Derby thus all eyes were on Bourbon King.
Regal Reform led the field, Czar Alexander was a reluctant second, close behind Bourbon King, Hotstepper and Perpetuity, wider out was Southern Charge and Obelinna in the rear. Regal reform gave way to Czar Alexander and Bourbon King pounced upon the leader with Hotstepper close behind. Past the 400 metres, Czar Alexander was fighting a losing battle, Bourbon King was striding well albeit under some hard riding, Hotstepper warmed up to get close to Bourbon King and add a little pep to the finish. However, Bourbon King shook off the threat and won comfortably belying the ¾ L verdict, looks a cinch for the Mc. Dowell Indian Derby.
Kiss Away (Srinath) was the hot favourite in the first race. Acceptance, Kiss Away Uproar and Hidden Dragon ran in the front bunch, Gatravat, Golden Spurs and Master Planner followed a couple of lengths behind. Kiss Away took charge early in the straight. Gatravat slipped in on the rails and Golden Spurs got into traffic problems in a seven-horse field. Jockey Nadeem Alam had to wait till past the distance post to unleash his best and the way Golden Spurs galloped, once he got the opening makes one wonder, if he squandered a good chance of reversing the verdict on the favourite. That Kiss Away did not allow Golden Spurs to pass her in the dying moments is another thing, but surely had Alam chosen to switch to the outside at the turn anything could have happened. In fact, Alam received a check as they started to turn, which should have made him wiser and get out of further trouble. Master Planner may soon begin to plan his next race as he improved from the tail end to finish a noticeable third.
River Dancer, after his impressive win last time over Councilofthegods and Axiology, who piped the former for the second spot, was well backed. Haifa Victory and River Dancer (Fargeat) led them all. King’s Desire (Appu) brushed up to settle into the third, Take On (Grant) was right there with the other two who were in no serious contention. On straightening up, River Dancer went all out but had King’s Desire breathing down his neck. Take On found herself between the two, and lost her rhythm briefly trying to wriggle free. King’s Desire fought past River Dancer and Appu kept working on the bay to guide him to a well-deserved victory. Take On ran on to finish ahead of River Dancer. It would pay to follow Take On over 6 - 7 furlongs.
Knight (Grant) was an impressive winner and claimed the Warrshan Trophy is style. Mister Fixit set a fast pace and raced to a 5L lead. Dynamic Cat (Merchant) was ahead of Knight, who settled well in the third, then came Simply Perfect, Morpheus and Phoenix Rising (Tograllu) towards the rear. In the straight, Knight soon made his presence felt and bounded ahead leaving no chance for any of the runners to even make a race of it. Knight extended the margin of victory to over 6L and clocked a smart timing. Dynamic Cat was a tame second while Phoenix Rising ran on third.
Eight just-turned-three-year-olds lined up for the Div –II of the Mayor’s Trophy. Lord Kala reared up awkwardly in the gates just as the starter downed the flag, consequently, losing about 4L at the start. In the front, Blue Daffodils (Chinoy), Bella (Hayes) and Exotic Star (Srinath) disputed the lead and around 800 metres, Lord Kala recovered to settle behind the trio. On straightening up, Blue Daffodils went ahead by two, Hayes held Bella confidently, showing no urgency and only began to ride out past the 400 metres as Lord Kala came close. Blue Daffodils continued to resist as Bella started to apply pressure. Touching the distance post Bella managed to get the better of Blue Daffodils, Lord Kala came up with a stiff challenge closer home but Bella easily managed to hold on. Lord Kala was unlucky and should be persisted with.
Major Wager (Merchant) garnered a lot of support in the 5th race. Touch The Sky hit the front followed by Arabian Victory, Major Wager settled into the third with the rest closely huddled not too far behind. At the turn, Touch The Sky enjoyed a 5L lead, which only helped her to a spot in the frame. Major Wager made steady progress and around 300 metres galloped past the leader and easily managed to keep the others at bay by a good two lengths. Ruby Rocket did well to finish on to take the runner up berth. Nobel Replica (Hayes) came into place money with Hayes going all out. Major wager and Ruby Rocket impressed.
Mickey Mantle showed no signs of the ‘long lay off’ syndrome and made light work of the opposition to make an impressive come back after almost 11 months. His preparation was the only claim he had coming into the race and this obviously did not deter his backers, who supported the Zadmal Singh ward to the hilt. Roman Ruler and Black Dahlia were the others who were in the betting.
Need For Speed & Bridge Too Far held the early advantage, Mickey Mantle (Fargeat) settled third, within striking distance Roman Ruler was 6th on the rails and Black Dahlia further back and wider out raising no hopes whatsoever at any stage. In the straight, Need for Speed held a 3L lead which was rapidly annulled by Mickey Mantle, who sped past easily and put the issue beyond doubt a long way from home. Roman Ruler (O’ Donnoghue) could do little but settle for the runner up a good 4L away. Viceroy (SP Ranjane) finished on third. Black Dahlia disappointed. Mickey Mantle could well repeat.
Catalyst (Shailesh Shinde) was the universal choice. Cocaine had some smart money coming her way and Marco polo also found some support. Artillery, adopted a start to finish essay, staying slighted ahead of Cocaine (Appu) Catalyst and Marco Polo. As they turned for home, Artillery faded as Cocaine went into the lead. Catalyst soon made her presence felt and found Cocaine resisting – but only briefly. There was no third challenge. Past the distance post, Catalyst’s charge grew stronger and she sped away from Cocaine. Item Bomb came from a long way back to ensure place money and suggest that he will soon be ready for better results.
The Dr. MAM Ramaswamy, Trainer Ganapathy & jockey Colm O’Donnoghue combine scored an impressive double. Star Wave was the pick of the day and Bourbon King endorsed his zest for big races.
