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| winning Owner leading Catalyst (David Allan Up), winner of The Mauritius Tourism Cup |
The Grant Vs McCullagh championship fight is heading for a tight finish. Both had ridden 19 winners apiece before Sunday, and both ended the day with a double each. They are now tied on 21 winners. Rajendra stands next on 16.
McCullagh was the first to score between the two riding Anastasia to a splendid last stride victory in the Lt. Col. Govind Singh VRC Trophy.
Moon Flower and Riding Fantasy were engaged in a grim battle going stride for stride when Anastasia (Statue of Liberty – Odabella) started to work towards bridging a longish gap. At the distance post, one would perhaps not give a great chance to Anastasia looking at the fighting duo ahead. However, McCullagh timed his run to a nicety and Anastasia produced a terrific gallop to nose out both Riding Fantasy and Moon Flower on the post.
McCullagh then partnered the heavily fancied Antia trainee Any Time Money (Major Impact – Lovely Fantasy) owned by first time owners Mr Anirudra and Mrs Yogita Bhagat. The visibly excited owners however were not put through any anxiety as Any Time Money readily raced to the front and never allowed any of his rivals to even get close to him. Leading from the start, Any Time Money out paced his rivals to sew up the issue long way from home.
Daniel Grant got his first winner of the day astride Star O’War (Warrshan – Halos And Horns). Premier Perception chose to be a little sluggish at the start ironically on the day he was well backed. After three consistent and pleasing performances leading up to this race, Premier Perception had done little wrong and had not ended to far from the winners. He did the same today ending just a less than two behind the winner, but she came from a long way back to do so. At the turn and even before the turn, Nirmal was using the whip to good the favourite on. The Rising was quick to lead the bunch where as Star O’War was in the mid bunch. The Rising marched on ahead until after the distance post where Native Strategy was the first challenger he had to counter. It was only in the final few strides that Grant had Star O’War collar the front-runners and pass then closer home.
The Rajcoomar Gujadhur Memorial Trophy Div I saw Grant compile a lucrative double. Grand Warrior (Tirol - Her Highness) made his first run count and how! Snowden, the favourite, had stolen a march when Grand Warrior moved from the rear ranks to cover ground briskly. At the distance post Snowden had gone past Golden Kingdom and Ran Banka, Grand Warrior was making steady Progress and a fight seemed to be on hands alright for Snowden. However, the finishing gallop that Grand Warrior produced gave no chance to Snowden who was clearly outpaced in the last 100 meters.
The Byculla Club Trophy was reduced to a two horse race, as Silver Tern refused to jump out of the gates and had to be literally pushed out. Nitrous hit the front and Maseeha (Flitch – Six Crowns) towed along. Past the half way stage the pair moved together all the way until the homestretch. Past the 400 Maseeha bounded forward and Nitrous surrendered meekly. Masseha won by a decisive margin.
Belligerent (Glory Of Dnacer – Buona Sera) won the first race of the day and lived up to his name. Solor had got past Native Forest early in the straight and was shaping up well. The first doubts however, crept up when Malesh went for the stick approaching the distance post. Belligerent was not too close at this stage, but Solor too was not looking as convincing. The rider was putting in an all out effort and desperately dashing towards the winning post for rescue. Belligerent saw his chance and lit up towards the finish. Resilience that came on the scene too late in the day, however caught the eye at the finish, managing to peg back Solor to gain the runner up slot.
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| Trainer C D Katrak leading Arts (C Rajendra up), winner of the Naiade Resorts Mauritius Cup |
Highland Bounty (Royal Kingdom – Vivienne) had it easy right from the start and won with effortless ease. Hitting the front early Highland Bounty had Sophie in chase, Easter Lilly, Katania and Tembung were in a close huddle. Into the straight, Highland Bounty went clear and kept adding distance from Sophie. Tenbung barely managed to hold on to third.
Among the professionals, trainer C D Katraka and jockeys McCullagh and Grant scored a double each.
