Set Alight (Razeen – Set Aside) owned by Dr. Vijay Mallya, saddled by Pesi Shroff and bred at the Usha Stud, romped home for yet another effortless victory. That she won The Maharaja Of Morvi Trophy with 'royal' grace would be an understatement! She is indeed a graceful galloper and a delight to watch.
 
Set Alight settles with an effort akin to breathing, paces as if on a morning jog, accelerates with the silken rhythm of the Calypso reggae and finally bounds homewards as though fitted with torque propellers. However, it is imperative to say that, for the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy, Set Alight didn't need to switch on the torque power! Yesterday, I wrote in my column that rival camps will be looking for a chink in her armor. Well, today I would say that they will still be looking!

Set Alight

Showing no hurry whatsoever, jockey CD Hayes chose to let his two rivals go ahead and he settled back till the turn for home. Just to bring in an element of anxiety, jockey F Norton opened up a yawning gap atop Romantic Impact. Set Alight joined Flaming Ace and the pair was a good 7 lengths behind Romantic Impact at the turn. However, no sooner than they straightened up, Set Alight had it all covered. Without Hayes having to strain his elbows, Set Alight breezed past Romantic Impact and was in complete command for the best part of the final 300 meters. Hayes must have felt lonely during the final strides but I am sure he wasn't complaining!
 
With this show, Set Alight is perched firmly at the top and I don't reckon there is any horse in the land to stop her conquering many more future glories. With due respect to Autonomy, (the only one who has finished ahead of Set Alight, but lost out in the stewards' room), Phenomenale and Dancing Dynamite who have not yet been seen in action this season, the dazzle of Set Alight for me, is far too superior. Set Alight is one of those rare once-in-a-generation kinds, and has it in her to contend, with appropriate credentials, for the best ever race horse in the history of Indian Racing, if ever there will be a public poll.
 
Red Romeo (Steinbeck – Allspice) from the Usha Stud as well, had to fight albeit briefly, before warding off a stiff challenge from Cotswold Arms in the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy race. The five runners were dispatched evenly from the gates and they ran in a close bunch. Sea Storm led the pack and Red Romeo was close on the rails. As they straightened up, Sea Storm kept going and past the 400 meter mark, was joined by Cotswold Arms who was warming up for the finish. Red Romeo was stuck on the rails momentarily and Grant started to apply pressure. He did not quic Leo's Ivory Snow produced a rousing gallken as the pundits would have liked him to but, as the winning post drew closer Red Romeo sped away from the ever threatening Cotswold Arms. His last few strides must have come as a relief and reassurance to owners Shiven Suredranath, Dr. Syed Ainuddin and Mr. Byram Jeejeebhoy.
 
The Stewards held an inquiry into the riding of Amyn Merchant who shifted out in the straight thereby taking Cotswold Arms along. This not only caused Cotswold Arms some discomfort, but it also opened the question whether Merchant was giving way to stablemate Red Romeo to slip by through the rails. The Stewards had a case. After seeking an explanation from the jockey, and going through the race footage, the stewards ruled to disqualify Sea Storm and award the third place to Tigress Noire.

Red Romeo finished on well despite carrying an overweight of 1.5 kg. Grant later stated that he was confident of winning. The hic-cups notwithstanding, Red Romeo won well in the highest class and looks to be top order middle distance runner.

Antonios (Glory of Dancer – Twin Star) bred at The Nanoli Stud and bred & owned by the Rattonseys and Mr. Nensey was powerful in the final furlong. Racing in third for most part of the journey, Antonios cut down the huge lead built by Snow Blind and took charge soon past the 400. Southern Summit started to chase but Antonios was too fast and sped away far too quickly for Southern Summit to make any impression on the winner.

The winning camp has now two top prospects in Juventus and Antonios who are shaping up nicely for them. In the post race interview in the paddock, both Mr. Farouq Rattonsey and trainer SS Shah said they were thrilled by Antonios' performance but refused to walk into the comparison trap laid by the questioner with regard to Juventus. Understandably so as both the horses are top class performers in their own rights. I would opine that Juventus is right up there but Antonios is fast catching up. Diplomatic, isn't it?

Southern Summit found the winner much better on level terms. He tried hard but couldn't get any closer. Antonios just kept stretching away. Peninsula was not galloping fluently for the most part initially and jockey Grant had to goad her to a large extent. She improved in the straight to end a faraway third, but has some way to go to get back into her element. Peninsula was one who showed a lot of promise during the past couple of seasons and should improve to get to her potential before long.

Ikaria was the other big race winner of the day but boy were the anxious moments spilling over! First, sitting last of four, Ikaria, apparently did not like the slow initial pace. Malesh was biding his time till well into the straight. He alerted Ikaria only when Secret Pilgrim moved to join leader Flashing Flame just past the 400m marker. Midway up the straight, Ikaria looked like getting the measure of the pair alongside, but instead of surging ahead the filly shifted in. Secret Pilgrim was right behind but was not matching up in speed. Ikaria headed Flashing Flame, but jockey De Sousa was not finished yet. Flashing Flame matched Ikaria stride for stride and they both hit the wire together a short head separating them - Ikaria emerging the winner by a short head!

It was not over just yet, as trainer Narendra Lagad lodged an objection against M Narredu citing that Ikaria shifted in and bumped his charge in the final 200. The stewards interviewed both the jockeys along with Narendra Lagad and viewed the race repeatedly before overruling the objection. The fact that at no time Flashing Flame was deprived of making an all out effort and Ikaria was never guilty of hampering his run, must have aided the stewards in making their decision. However, it was touch and go on both counts – the finish on the track and the outcome of the objection.

Sea Treasure (Warrshan – Aerodynamic) bred at The Ruia Stud and bred by Star Stud was the piping hot favourite to make a winning debut. The Wadhawan colt trained by Cooji Katrak who has struck good early form showed great alertness at the start to spurt into the lead as the gates opened. He was chased by Whispering Willows and Great White too was in close attendance. The next contender was more than 5 lengths behind with Astral being on of them.

Into the straight, Sea Treasure had the advantage while the others had to cover some ground. Whispering Willows tried hard but could not catch up with Sea Princess who surged even further when the whip was used on him. Astral was weaving through the field and after a lot of 'inside and outside', finished on well to snatch the runner up berth.

Clarion Call (Alnasr Alwasheek) – Star Fortune), bred at The Poonawalla Stud won as he liked and was in complete command especially in the homestretch. Jumping out well to lead the field, Clarion Call was soon joined by Fidel Defensor. On turning for home, Clarion Call moved in a well-oiled manner and kept stretching his lead all the way with Grant looking over his shoulder only to smile. Of the hapless chasers, Ashwa Prabha gained a couple of places to run second. Kapathos who was right up in the front bunch earned the place money. Clarion Call won impressively and looks good for a repeat in his next outing.

Ecstatica (Senure – Star Shine) from the Manjri Stud made an impressive winning debut. The dark bay filly owned by the Mistrys lost some ground at the start and was tailing the field for the most part of the seven furlong race. Norton first got the filly to settle down opting for the rail run and started to make progress nearing the turn. Fearlessnegotiator cropped up into prominence early in the straight. Soon Chieftain, who was also slow at the start improved to be well in touch. Meanwhile, Ecstatica was making steady progress poking through gaps between horses and in the final furlong tore between the joint favourites Fearlessnegotiator and Chieftain to notch up an impressive victory. Jockey Norton handled the debutant well and nursed her to dish out her best.

Chandelier (Hymn – Sizzling Thoughts) bred at the Jai Govind Stud and bred by Usha Stud Farm, pulled off an upset in the first race as Phosphor did not live up to his status as an on money favourite. Chandelier De Sousa) was saddled by Vinay Lagad. Not to be outdone by his nephew, trainer Narendra Lagad provided the biggest upset of the day when his Incredible Beauty with HG Rathod atop confounded the raging favourite Exotic Star (6/10) in a close finish. Ironically Polar Glow from nephew Vinay Lagad's yard was a short head second finishing ahead of Exotic Star by just under 2 lengths.

Among the professionals, Jockey Daniel Grant scored a fine treble and trainer CD Katrak saddled a good double.