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| Star Crowned (Y S Srinath up), winner of the B K Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million |
The runners were spread across in front of Srinath who had to make a quick choice of route. Fortunately, Srinath found the best way out through the rails without encountering any problems. Estevez drifted and this helped Star Crowned’s cause and past the distance post, Star Crowned, still under the whip, sped past Estevez to post a two-length victory.
“She was taking her time to settle down to the task and took quite a while to do so,” said Srinath. “However, once she got her rhythm going she was different altogether. She has a lot of potential and she is sure to get better, I would put this performance at say 60 percent,” he added.
“Star Crowned did cause anxiety initially, but I am not unduly worried. She will improve further and as she matures she will get better and better,” said trainer Altaf Hussain.
The ‘uncrowned’ Star of the however, was the Brazilian boy Sylvester De Souza. He won a race either side and including the McDowell Signature Indian Derby scoring a fine and the most lucrative treble of the season.
Prince Lochinva (Major Impact – Speed of Light) won from end to end with surprising ease. The small field of six notwithstanding, on paper this seemed a close fought race. However, Prince Lochinva made it look so easy when he kicked on to draw away from the chasers and post an almost effortless victory. Neither Corfu nor Carlos could make any impression on the Prince and at one stage it even looked as if Souza was toying with the opposition.
The next was a brilliant ride in the Derby astride Antonios. De Souza got Antonios to put his best foot forward when it mattered most and the final burst that Souza got out of Antonios in the dying moments of the race was such that even the sensational filly Set Alight could not match. The last 100 metres in particular was what did the filly in, jockey De Souza will vouch for that.
As if to celebrate the Derby triumph, De Souza partnering Flaming Arrow sat well up alongside Highland Flame right from the start until well into the straight. Highland Flame did not surrender easily and stuck on for a while but in the final furlong Flaming Arrow shot in front to register a comfortable victory the third for the day for De Souza.
Cotswold Arms (Labeeb – My Tres Bien) and Secret Pilgrim were both reluctant to go to the front in the two-horse race for the Kanga Gold Trophy. The early part of the race was reduced to just between a trot and a canter. Once McCullagh got Cotswold Arms to accelerate at the turn, Secret Pilgrim struggled to match strides. Cotswold Arms was clearly superior and won lengthening his strides.
Cabriolet (Glory of Dancer – Highland Ghillie) was an impressive winner in the Antiquity Trophy. Settling into the third position till the turn, Cabriolet took charge early in the straight and jockey Malesh ensured that there no one would get close until the winning post. Caustic Finale tried hard to make a race of it but effort seemed futile. Snow Queen was the one to take the runner up berth coming from some way behind.
Cavaradosi (Indictment – Innocent Pleasures) stayed the mile and a half trip very well and outlasted the rest comfortably and without showing any fatigue. Chasing Western Challenge all through to the straight, Cavaradosi was given a very confident ride by young apprentice Parmar. The lad is visibly improving by the day and has carried abundant confidence after his maiden success not very long ago.
Western Challenge had built a huge lead, which ultimately came to a naught when Cavaradosi was catching up still on tight reins. Past the 400, Cavaradosi was let loose and the Vinayak trainee surged ahead to win comfortably despite drifting out in the last part. Rising Hero was ridden all out to grab the runner up berth.
Star Attraction (Alnasr Alwasheek – Azzilfi) posted a very impressive victory but could consider herself a wee bit fortunate that Recardo and Forbes List did not get a clear run, and also that they were not in the best of positions early on. That does not take anything away from Star Attraction who settled well and was urged to go in the front only late in the straight, from where on she took charge to win convincingly. Recardo was the one to struggle for a clear run and had to switch course more than once. Forbes List too flew towards the finish and ended together with Recardo and Cameo.
Alexus (China Visit – Alarming) won the last race of the day beating long time leader The Giant. Settling third, Alexus was pushed to keep pace before the turn while The Giant was traveling comfortably. Into the straight, The Giant sped to a 3-length lead and Alexus had to do all the work to catch up. Past the 400, Alexus looked more convincing than earlier and caught up with The Giant soon after, to break away past the distance post. The Giant, however, did not throw in the towel and kept Alexus on her toes until the very end.
Lone Trojan (Tirol - Trojan Lady) sprang a surprise in the first race. Taking over the running past the half way stage, Lone Trojan built a useful lead coming into the straight. Forest Native started to give a chase and Musical Rhythm started to bridge the gap as well. However, Lone Trojan stood up well to the dual challenge and held on from Musical Rhythm and Forest Native.
