Successor Practises Art of victory |
| Bringing-in outstation-based horses, particularly from Western-India, has now become a regular practice at the Delhi Race Club. It proved to be worth as a pair of Arts and Successor became the stars of the day at the Delhi races on Tuesday. The duo bagged the Governor's Cup and President of India Cup by making lighter of the field. Gautam Thapar and Sultan Singh owned victors (representing Sohna Stud farm) were saddled by Aleem Khan and jockey Rajinder. Delhites, who have been trying to cope up with the cold wave now-a-days, had no other option but to bear the brunt of market fancied horses falling like nine pins barring Arts and Successor in the card of seven. However, race goers were unable to follow the former being available at money-return while the market moving odds of the latter almost made them confused as they shot up to over evens from odds-on. The four-year-old gelding Successor, who had set the Mahalakshmi course on fire at the prime stage, has had the benefit of annexing races over pet distances up to sprinter's distance and finishing behind top-notched horses. Most of the race goers doubted his capability of staying and that made the odds drifting. The champion sprinter cup winner Shubh Shubh also created some scene. However, having been kept on regular exercise and barrier-trials was an indication itself that the day he would run "would be his”. He also started his campaign in the similar fashion. The stalling position of number one was also in his favour and he stood tall while routing the field in a-start-to-finish bid. Gin and Tonic, who is also known for speed, had to be content with runner-up berth by displacing Shubh Shubh. The son of Ontario and Lake of Killarney may annex few races come his way. Earlier, bay rig Arts began his show in style while leaving the field in lurch in the presence of his excellence Shri Tejendra Khanna, Lt Governor of of Delhi. He made quick dash from his block, but soon found Faurties joining the issue. Instead of forcing the mount to commence the rally, Rajinder opted to wait for the latter to tire out. However seeing Faurties was not enough to dictate terms any longer, he gathered the momentum at the curve and let the partner go his own on a tight rein. The son of Ontario and Shanley has been in the capital to keep the race open secret with the stablemate Rocking Star, and outstation-based contenders - Mighty Crusader, Flower Alley, Suchiman, Captivating and Sprint Star - for the season's top blue riband event - North India Derby to be held in the morning of the third Sunday of the next month. Captivating and Sprint Star are expected to be in Delhi soon. It appeared that "Best of Luck" was wished to the punters wrongly in the day's opener. The three-year-old chestnut colt came from hind group to get the heavily backed Real Strong in nick of time by a whisker. Shadab showed a brilliant piece of riding on the victor in the upper dicvision of the Raj Niwas Plate. A juvenile Master Blaster was the other horse to dash the hope of favourite (Dazzle) followers in the Juvenile Sprinters Cup. He was kept in the seventh position till the top of the straight and when he started a series of raids on Dazzle, the latter had no reply due to lack of racing run. Unusual Theme, Lagunillas and Lightning Fast, who finishyed third, fourth and fifth respectively are capable of shedding maiden status. In the upper division of the Supreme Power Plate, High Rising got his long overdue victory by pushing the rest in the corner under the handling of just freelance turned apprentice jockey Pradeep Kumar. The favourite Becon Light got into her task late for the next best. Following the tradition of the early winners, Kamakhya was the other rank outsider to land spoilsport. Little Cut, who once looked set to emerge victorious with a huge lead, was exhaustedinside the 100m. The market-fancied Daytonas Beauty came into her sense when the race was almost over. Successful Dream brought the curtain down at the nourishing odds in the lower division of the Raj Niwas Plate. Zuetina, who swung into action towards the end, had to overcome five horses to occupy the second place eventually pipping Assertive, Empire Maker and Katmai. The favourite Katmai was alerted to the task too early and that might be one of the reasons of her setback. |
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