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I could not agree more. Star Empire (Razeen – Anagram) literally toyed with the opposition even as the race reached the business end. Settling early just behind the leader Firemiss, jockey Michael Fenton did not loosen his grip on the reigns even as Eloise came breathing down his neck. Despite riding a favourite at extremely cramped odds, Fenton was confident that he had the race under control. It was only in the final furlong that Fenton rode out Star Empire, who notched up an impressive victory. “He is a good horse and he is sure to score again,” said Fenton. “He was travelling extremely well and at no time were we in any danger,” he concluded. Eloise raised a noteworthy challenge and will live to fight another day. Batista did well to claim the third spot after being a bit slow at the start.
Highland Crown (Royal Kingdom – Rahy’s Serenade) was the Wadhawan camp’s first winner of the day. The on-money favourite never caused a moment of anxiety to his supporters despite a spirited challenge from Nora in the final run in. Settling into the third behind Cavaradosi and Maseeha, Highland Crown chased the pair until the turn. Nora was a couple of lengths behind. In the straight, Maseeha quickly went past Cavaradosi. Within seconds Highland Crown moved to top gear and came charging with a sustained gallop. Nora warmed up past the distance post and tried to challenge the favourite. Highland Crown, however, proved too good and registered a well-deserved victory to claim the Elusive Pimpernel Trophy.
Sea Warrior (China Visit – Dangerous Liason) put in a lively gallop when it mattered most and humbled the favourite Alize convincingly. Alize stalked the early leader Sea Wonder. Sea Warrior was not too far behind, Royal Prothcawl was! Entering the straight, Alize easily went past Sea Wonder, but had Sea Warrior coming fast at her. Sea Warrior accelerated and stretched past Alize who had to be content with the next best slot. Sea Warrior produced a brilliant final surge to snuff out any fight and won unchallenged. Royal Prothcawl was the one to cover a lot of ground between horses and did creditably well to claim place money. River Glory too finished on to edge out Kite Runner for a place in the frame.
Pesi Shroff’s Churchill (Trans Island – Gin Oclock) won the IGCC Christmas Trophy with jockey Ruzaan riding a peach of a race. Settling behind the leader Highland Bounty until the turn, Ruzaan made made his move soon on straightening up. Once into the lead, Churchill galloped with purposeful strides and successfully kept the fast approaching Got To Go at bay. “He has had his share of problems,” said Pesi just after the race, “I can’t work him much on the track, but in the mock race he had last week, he showed he was ready for the battle. I am pleased with his show today. He still needs to be fine tuned,” concluded Pesi.
Smoking Aces let down a large following going down in a close finish to Karthik’s Lyrical Lass. Hitting the front soon on start, Smoking Aces led the field homeward. Lyrical Lass and the others were some distance away. Midway up the straight, jockey B Prakash started to urge Lyrical Lass who still a good three lengths behind the favourite. Smoking Aces was not dealing the killer blow and sensing he could still make it. Prakash went all out on the second in demand. Lyrical Lass mounted a severe challenge in the last 100 meters and got the better of Smoking Aces a stride before the winning post. Adams Law did well to end third.
Wilna (Placerville – Warsaw Pact) kept her date with victory and shook off her maiden status in the first race of the day. Fire Vault caught the public fancy with some heavy money pouring his way. Attempting it start to finish, Wilna kept the momentum going right through. She entered the straight with a handy lead and was clear past the distance post. However, in the last few strides, she seemed to have lacked in full steam and was visibly slowing down, making it appear the Fire Vault was fast catching up. Wilna ended up sparing a length to Fire Vault while Apache Indian beat a few in finishing third.
Forbes List (Royal Kingdom – Housewarming) gave jockey Rory Cleary his first win on the Mahalaxmi track. Chasing Carlos and Premier Queen homewards, Forbes List grabbed the initiative early in the straight and marched on ahead to compile a handsome victory clearly keeping favourite Flaming Arrow at bay. Flaming Arrow just did not quicken enough and had to play second fiddle to the MK Jadhav trainee.
Magan Singh pulled off a solid coup in the last race of the day. Flying Tackle (Hymn – Frequent Flyer) received smart money coming on him at race time. Jockey CS Jodha kept Flying Tackle well in touch with the leader Hammerhead and made his move midway up the straight. Hammerhead could not sustain the long Mumbai straight and despite having a handy lead inside the final furlong squandered the advantage to end a tame fourth. Flying Tackle was strongly ridden and timed his run to a nicety. He hit the wire just in time as both Step By Step and Hi Dolly were coming fast at him. Step By Step recovered from a slow start and Hi Dolly was not in the picture even in the straight. Both stepped up only in the final furlong and either could have won if the winning post was just another few meters away.
