Rhapsidion Snow

Running Bull staved off a stiff challenge from Diego Rivera to keep the runner-up berth. Yana disappointed. She was right there in the thick of action as they turned for home but just could not stand up to the brilliance of Rhapsidion Snow. Hotstepper too failed to make any impression as did the other runners. Rueben Star gained towards the wining post to figure in the frame. Vanquish who ended one-off would have profited with this run.
 
Trainer S Padmanabhan has done wonderfully well with Rhapsidion Snow. He showcased how well she had travelled from Bangalore and was in complete sync with the way 'Paddu' had fine-tuned her for this targeted race! The trainer from Bangalore has now raised the bar for himself and his other two wards - Palazzio's Sun and Icebreaker will have a heavy load of expectation when they will be let loose on the track later this season.
 
Autonomy (Razeen–All Heart) was tested but fired in the end to ward off a serious threat from Dancing Dynamite. These two completely outclassed Sea Princess and the others at the business-end. Sea Princess was the first to open up and charge forward when the front-runners began to give way for the big boys to fight. However, Sea Princess was easily passed by Autonomy in a trice and the challenge only came from Dancing Dynamite moments after Autonomy took charge.
 
At the distance post, Dancing Dynamite came abreast with Autonomy and even headed the favourite. Soon the bob of the heads began and they went hell of leather in the final furlong keeping the crowds on their toes. Richard Hughes resorted to the whalebone as did Daniel Grant and the two talented jockeys vying for supremacy astride two top horses, were making the adrenaline flow. It was in the last couple of strides that Autonomy went for broke and reigned supreme, sparing just half a length to Dancing Dynamite who went down fighting – till the very end.

Autonomy prevailed to the joy of his owner, Jaydev Mody and the relief of trainer Chinoy. However, Dancing Dynamite's camp will not be too concerned. They went too close and will fancy their chances when the two meet again for bigger stakes in the near future.

I am impressed by the resistance put up by the Mansoor Shah trainee and over an extended trip I would root for the runner up and still have my heart thumping, I reckon!

Forest Flair (Placerville–Tide Of Fortune), owned by Dr. MAM, was the hot favourite at cramped odds to land the Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr 3) race. Settling just behind Check Her Out till the turn, Forest Flair went past the leader effortlessly and stretched out to establish a commanding lead. Aristocratic was making little progress. Harmonica found her way between horses and tried hard to make a fight of it but the Karthik Ganapathy charge would not give any quarter and Harmonica was now only left in trying to keep the second place. She actually had to earn that spot as Sans Pareil and Bourbon Bay were hot on her heels. The Poonawalla bred chestnut - Forest Flair, held on by a good two lengths and was well ridden by jockey Srinath.

The Ranjit V. Bhat Memorial Gold Trophy was expected to be a cracker of a race but River Dancer (Diffident–Wolf River) put in a tremendous gallop to romp home in style giving no chance whatsoever to his rivals once he got going past the distance post. Angels Glory tasted the first defeat of her career in the top class. Angles Glory certainly did not get the kind of start she would have liked and in a bunch such as this one it was a fatal folly. She went slightly to the left as they jumped out and got caught between horses and that was it! She never could really recover to stretch her winning spree.

Schubert called the shots and ran a hell of a race to end a good second. In fact, he looked like creating a flutter until River Dancer appeared on the scene. River Dancer was always within striking distance and in the home stretch stayed clear of the traffic, making his run on the wider out. Jockey NG McCullagh pressed the button on the Rehanullah Khan trainee at the 200 m marker and the Nathani-owned gelding responded with a flourish and bounded forward with a great finishing effort. Star Always did well to save the place money. Angels Glory tried her best in the straight, gained a couple of notches but ended just off the frame. It was just a case of a bad day in the office for Angels Glory who is sure to come back with a vengeance.

Trainer Rehanullah Khan scored again in the last race of the day with Kai, but in the Stewards' room. Kai (Warrshan–Star Gift) who was chasing Medtias Pride was joined alongside by Needforspeed (Rajendra) past the 400-metre marker. The pair then was engaged in a fight and went past the leader. With 300 metres to go, Needforspeed started to go past Kai and in the process shifted in causing David Allan atop Kai to check his mount. By the time Kai found his rhythm again, Needforspeed was a couple of lengths ahead. Kai gathered himself and came back strongly but the winning post came a stride too soon for Kai who went down by a neck. David Allan had no hesitation in lodging an objection against Rajendra.

The fact that Kai almost caught up with Needforspeed must have played a major role in the Stewards' mind and taking note that Kai got as close as a neck the Stewards agreed with Allan's view and ruled that the objection be upheld and awarded the race to Kai.

Royal Crown (King Charlemagne–Crown Brief) won on a close call warding off a late challenge from Arabian Pride. Elementto Angel and Tearaway brought the field homewards and soon Royal Crown appeared on the scene. Rajendra got the favourite in front just past the 400 m. He went a couple of lengths clear and looked to have had the measure of his rivals when Arabian Pride poked through horses and put in a sustained finishing effort. Rajendra rode out and just about managed to get to the winning post sparing half a length to Arabian Pride. Ring Bearer held on to the third spot and Elementto Angel fought hard to figure in the frame.

Intimacy disappointed in the Satinello Trophy (Div II) and failed to get into her customary front running style. She threw her head back as the gates flung open costing her an alert start and ended up chasing a bunch in front all the way. Sepia Tone (Case Law–Pussy Cat), on the contrary, did what she knows best – take jump hit front and darted forward to lead the pack. Into the straight, Sepia Tone had Hidden Dragon breathing fire down her neck for most of the way homewards but she stubbornly held on in a fighting finish from the Dragon. Among the horses from the rear, Top Action improved towards the finish to grab the place money from Roman Beauty close home.

Flaring Sun (Alnasr Alwasheek–Sure Future) made an impressive debut to land the spoils in the second race. Sitting a bit too far back initially for comfort, Flaring Sun blazed early in the straight to collar the leader Cherokee nearing the distance post and breeze past. The late challenge came from French Kiss who appeared from nowhere in the last 100 metres. However, by that time Flaring Sun had sealed the issue and was in no danger. French Kiss did well to end on the haunches of the winner and is to be noted for the extra furlong. Cherokee had all the chances but failed to drive home the advantage.

Matata Pride (Indictment–Zuni) outwitted Western Challenge to stay elusive till the very end. Black Partridge and La Joie De Vie were just beginning to dispute the lead when Matata Pride pounced on them. La Joie De Vie offered a little resistance but Matata Pride got the measure and strode ahead. Western Challenge was feeling the heat and soon began to inch closer. However, Malesh Narredu powered the Vinayak ward to ward off the late challenge. Western Challenge just couldn't get that extra bit, but will live to fight another day.

Classic Star (Flitch–Romantic Moments) timed his run to perfection to snatch the issue from Premier Queen who stole a march early in the straight. Polariser brought the field home and past the 400-metre mark, Premier Queen sped away with good acceleration. Classic Star, who was not too far behind, began to chase but Premier Queen's lead looked almost insurmountable. However, Classic Star came up with gigantic strides in the final furlong and stunned Premier Queen at the post. With this show, Classic Star will pocket another race and that could be as early as his next start!

The first race of the day was won by long shot Blau Himmel (Royal Kingdom–Calais). Highland Flame tried the runaway tactics but shortened his strides alarmingly and after establishing a huge lead, failed to even grab a place in the frame.

Among the professionals, trainer Rehanullah Khan saddled a double as did jockeys David Allan and NG McCullagh.