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C Rajendra has been an extremely popular figure in Western India , and has won the jockeys championship on numerous occasions. After recovering from a fall sustained a few months ago, he arrived in Bangalore sometime back to ride for Harresh Mehta ,who has a fairly large string of horses racing at this centre. He was declared to ride three such horses on Saturday afternoon. Arjun's Express It, and Padmanabhan's duo of Polish Patriot and Frozen Fire were on-money favourites in their respective events. All three had run earlier in the season and indicated their readiness to win.
Express It had got beaten in a close finish in his last start, and was seen sporting blinkers today. This change in equipment seemed to have benefitted this runner, as he took a smart jump and made every post a winning one. Rajendra wasn't unduly worried when Leon Cavallo and Clouseau tried to challenge him in the straight. Riding hands and heels, he kept his mount going till the very end. Express It is a well bred horse, and now that he has found his winning ways, can be expected to improve from his present mark. Leon Cavallo had been out of racing for almost ten months. He was sporting bandages and seemed to be out for an airing. His finishing effort was noteworthy today, and Irfan is bound to strike with him in the near future.
Padmanabhan's pair of Polish Patriot and Frozen Fire won in impressive fashion. Got-abroad Polish Patriot was being tried over an extended trip of nine furlongs. The colt was running for the second time in his career. Today's exercise was a test of his staying abilities. The style and manner in which he handled the trip may enthuse the trainer to have a crack at the Summer Derby exactly two weeks from now. Polish Patriot is an improving type and carries a lot of Class. He was held back in fourth place before being asked the question. He quickened nicely and finished ahead of Fair Option and Arabian Prince. Frozen Fire's win was equally impressive. Rajendra was able to settle her down behind a bunch of no-hopers, before arriving on the scene. The filly showed powerful acceleration to win impressively. She clocked a very smart timing of a fraction more than 1 minute and 26 seconds. She has the potential to win her fair share of races in the future. Spring A Surprise arrived late on the scene to end a faraway second. Imperial Guest plodded-on to finish third.
The day's proceedings started on a controversial note. Krishnan ridden Walter lost a race that he could have won. With You And I losing ground at the start, Walter was expected to have it easy. He was held back in third place behind Romance In The Air and Media Man till well into the straight. Walter was kept directly behind the leader till fifty metres from home, before he was shown daylight by his rider. Walter flew in the end to finish on the haunches of Romance In The Air. The Stewards of the BTC have ordered an enquiry into the running and riding of this fancied runner, the result of which is expected to be announced on Sunday evening.
The very next race saw Imran Khan sitting as a mute spectator on half money favourite Fantastic Flame. The filly showed that she belongs to a different league by winning in a common canter. After a fourth place finish in the higher Class earlier this season, Fantastic Flame was running in a Class B set today.She won from end-to-end effortlessly. This Karan Singh trainee has the potential to win again for the asking. Nearco Dancer, although running after a gap of almost one year, finished strongly to take the runner-up berth.
The High Commission Trophy was a sprint race for maiden three year olds. Aksinya, Advantage Logan and Brigades Pride were considered to be the frontline contenders to lift this trophy. With Aksinya becoming a course scratching, money began to pour onto the other two. Even-money favourite Advantage Logan began to play up at the gates and refused to get stalled. She was withdrawn before coming under starters' orders. It was eventually Brigades Pride who started as an on-money favourite in this race. Appu was able to guide the favourite to a small lead at the bend, but Brigades Pride had no answers when Gurujosh loomed on his outside. It ceased to be a race thereafter, as Gurujosh lengthened his strides and went on to win comfortably. This win enabled Arjun to complete his double for the afternoon. Amar Prem was able to finish a poor third.
The only other race in the day's card was a mile event for horses in Class IV. Three year olds Spark Of Salerno, Glory To Dancer, Shades Of White and Red Stone were being tested for the first time over this trip by their respective yards. All of them had failed to win in a maidens set, and were trying their luck in open company. These youngsters dominated the race and produced a thrilling finish. Wayne Smith ridden Shades Of White led from the very start, and held on by a whisker from a fast finishing Red Stone. Another stride, and the result may have been different. Glory To Dancer ran on to take the third spot, while Spark Of Salerno faded away from the scene to finish in the ruck.
