Vertex Registers an Impressive Victory |
| This year's crop of juveniles racing at Mysore is much better than anything we have seen in recent times. This is best illustrated by the fact that a winner of a maiden's race finds it easy to win his next start in open Class IV company. After Darashah's pair of Ohiyesa and Missiszippi had done this successfully in the last couple of weeks, it was the turn of Dinesh Pujar's Vertex on Wednesday. The setting was The Varahi Cup, the feature in a seven-event card framed for the day. Vertex had made an impressive debut by running away from some well-bred horses on the first day of the current season. Both Ashkan and Gershwin, who ran behind Vertex in that race, had come out and won their very next starts. Based on these facts and her current track work, Vertex was installed as an on-money favourite to land the spoils. None of the older opponents seemed worthy of posing a problem to her. Gaurav Sapra was quick to seize the advantage, and pushed Vertex into an early lead on the rails ahead of Careerist, Australis and Faster Than Light. The filly was travelling well within herself and the result of the race was never in doubt. Vertex carried the heavy impost with ease, lengthened her strides and registered an impressive victory. A hard ridden Australis took the second spot ahead of a late finishing Mirbat Battle. The winner is in fine nick, and can be expected to carry on with her winning ways. She is looking well furnished and her trainer needs to be complimented for producing her in such wonderful condition. Pujar had won the earlier event with Brown Sugar. This one time Classic winner had been showing signs of regaining some sort of form by saving place money in both the races that he had run this season. He had been beaten on the post in a similar event more than a month ago. A nice long rest of five weeks and some steady preparation thereafter did him a lot of good. Brown Sugar was supported confidently and he looked the part in the paddock. Apprentice Shoaib rode a neat race on this favourite. After tracking War Head and Amazing One till the final bend, Brown Sugar surged into the lead at that stage. Despite some strong riding by Suraj Narredu on Gold Grid, Brown Sugar was able to keep him at bay. Magical Spirit came with a long stretch run to finish on the haunches of the runner-up. Ranjeet was the other trainer to saddle a double for the afternoon. Sunlaa and I Wanna Fly were the two well-backed winners from his yard. Sunlaa won a scurry for horses in the lowest class. The winner got up at the post and won by a head from Roto Rooa. The latter was hanging throughout the straight and began to gallop after the race was almost over. Early leader and favourite Theodora shortened her strides and had to be content with the third spot. I Wanna Fly was the most impressive winner of the day. This six-year old had turned around at the gates and taken no practical part in her previous race. There were no such problems today as she travelled nice and easy for most of the way, before assuming command at the bend. Chandrasekhar did not pull out the stick and chose to ride her hands and heels till the very end. I Wanna Fly may win again before the season comes to a close at the end of this month. The maidens event in the card was won again by a juvenile from Darashah's yard. The stable has been winning these races at regular intervals. Rich Rogue was the beneficiary of a forward run in his only career start, and was certain to improve on that performance. The bookmakers refused to increase the odds to more than the half-money quoted on him. Rich Rogue was ridden to a start-to-finish win by Suraj Narredu. Monappa's pair of Time Speed and Miss Mexico took the minor placings and saved place money for their owners.The well bred winner has the capabilities to go beyond the distance of 1,100 metres that he travelled today. The Gain was a popular winner of his race over seven furlongs. This sparingly race four-year old had won his last start with absolute ease. The handicapper was quick to jump on him and had given him a huge penalty of 22 points. He was facing some useful opponents today. All this made no difference to his supporters as they backed him with gay abandon. Rajesh was able to ride a neat race on him. Keeping his mount away from trouble till the bend, and riding him vigorously thereafter seemed to be his mission. He accomplished it with ease as The Gain turned out to be much superior to the rest of the runners. Alway's For You and Artistic Way were able to finish on the board. The only other race in the afternoon was won by the Shoban Babu ridden Living Free. This mare had picked up the bad habit of being lethargic at the gates. After a few barrier trials, she came into this race with formidable credentials. After taking off level from the gates, she was travelling nicely for most of the way. A couple of taps from her jockey saw this dark bay skipping away from Ranveer and Winning Attitude. Living Free is capable of improving from her present mark and recording another victory in the near future. |
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