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| The Indian Navy Trophy Div-I cup presentation Winner Elementto Angel |
“This was truly the greatest moments of my career. My heart was thumping as I realized Elementto Angel was drawing closer to the leading pair. I wasn’t sure I had made it even as they sped past the winning post. Those moments before the Judge announced the result were awfully long and the suspense was killing! But the joy when Elementto Angel was declared the winner, was absolutely rewarding”, said Saqib Sheikh with a twinkle in his eyes, adding “I will cherish this moment for life”!
Elementto Trance (San Francisco – Divine Fantasy) further heightened his glee in another closely fought contest. Up North seemed well in charge after he shook Khubsoorat off his back early in the straight and leading by a couple of lengths at the distance post. Elementto Trance warmed up at that stage and began striding alongside. The pair fought out the final furlong and Elementto finished on better. Nirmal Jodha partnered both the winners and Sheikh was extremely excited having landed a terrific double.
Talking about close finishes there were as many as five close finishes in the seven-event card. The closest among them was in the AFS Talyarkhan Trophy. Semper Eadem (Ikhtyar – Old Time Romance) who hit the front soon on start led the field homewards. The favorite Hereafter came up with a good gallop to join the leader but quickly fell back. River Rule who was seventh in the straight but not too far back was quickening nicely. Adriana was further behind but staged a very good final finish to be right on the tail of the top two. Semper Eadem fought bravely and River Rule was ever threatening. They both passed the wire together and opinions were divided as to who touched the line first. The judge must have had a very close look before declaring the Ruia owned horse the winner. Even Neeraj Rawal would have been relieved as the result was announced.
Neeraj Rawal was the only other pro to record a double on the day. He opened the day with a grand victory astride Don Surti’s American Idol who pulverized the opposition scoring a runaway victory. Taking charge soon on settling down American Idol (Hymn – Divine Success) got stronger in the straight to surge away out of reach even before the distance post. He was eased up in the final stages of the race and if placed well should be in the reckoning in his next outing as well. Above All and Secret Agenda took the next two places.
Telstar (Placerville – Tiney Toast) won handsomely giving the followers of the favorite lots to cheer about as the even money favorite won without causing any anxious moments. Sitting just behind the leader Hisham, Telstar readily hit the front soon on straightening for home. Once into the lead, Telstar marched on ahead regardless of an all out effort from Forever Amber and Arbudh. Telstar looked the winner long way from home. Forever Amber is for your notebooks. Arbudh did well to claim the place money.
Siooux Chief (Ontario – Ashwakrupa) scored a first victory but not without an alarm. Settling well behind the first four, Siooux Chief made a move in the straight on the wider outside. Black Partridge and Resilience were at each other and the latter shifted out under pressure. Siooux Chief who was just moving into top gear, had to make a quick inward move to avoid getting interfered and did so without breaking the momentum. Resilience came at Siooux Chief again closer to the finish but Siooux Chief held on to register a hard fought victory. Had Resilience run a disciplined race the result would have been different!
Hiefitz (Stravinsky – Milkywakay) gave a hot chase to Sepia Tone and in the final 100 meters worked past the front-runner to finish on the right side of the duel. Sepia Tone set the tone and entered the straight with a handy lead of about two lengths. While Hiefitz set about working towards cutting down the lead, the others were simply outpaced. Hiefitz started to really get closer past the final furlong and Sepia Tone was not giving up easily. The pair fought out stride for stride but Hiefitz just got better closer to the finish.
