Oyster Princess (Daggers Drawn – Pupa Fiorini), who was second in demand in the betting ring after Nimble Feet, showed a clean pair of heels in the final furlong to clinch the Maharaja Sir Pratapsingh Gaekwad Trophy.
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| Firefoot |
Highland Warrior (Alnasr Alwasheek – Endorsement) did not have it as easy though. He showed early speed and alacrity to gallop into the lead at the start. Maintaining a slender lead as they charged for home, Highland Warrior (Grant) was ridden out but kept going always giving the chasers some hope of catching up. Nyssa was the one who finished on strongly and covered a lot of ground on the wide outside to get to just a length behind the winner. Siooux Chief shifted under pressure in the last few strides and in the process knocked Solor. The rider of Solor later lodged an objection against Siooux Chief. The Stewards upheld the objection and Solor was awarded the third place and Siooux Chief was relegated to the fourth.
Finfoot (Captain Rio – Shark Games) showed immense improvement over her debut run and dished out an impressive start-to-finish victory. Jumping out of the gates in a flash, jockey McCullagh kept Finfoot ahead and she looked comfortable right through. In the straight, Scenic Silver took her time to get into top gear and when she actually began to gain on Finfoot it was too late and too much to do. Finfoot easily held on her own and chalked up her maiden win clocking under the minute for the scurry to win the Mayor’s Cup in good style. Scenic Silver needs to be given another chance and the next time out she is sure to fare better.
Congrats tried the runaway tactics but the top weight took its toll combining with the afternoon heat. She was never a patch of what one saw of her just in her last outing. Highland Crown (Royal Kingdom – Rahy’s Serenade) on the other hand went on to notch up his third straight victory after he won on debut in Pune. Lying third for the most part, Highland Crown charged ahead to join Congrats who was finding it difficult to shake off. Matata Pride. Nearing the distance post, Highland Warrior collared the pair in front and spurted ahead to post an easy victory. He finished full of running and seems to relish the longer trips. Matata Pride too ran a good race although he was out-stayed by the winner.
Black Phantom (Placerville – Riyatifia) produced a terrific run in the final stages of the opening race of the day over 2400 meters to register his maiden victory. However, his manner of victory was most impressive as a confident De Souza wouldn’t even urge the horse despite a serious challenge from favourite Magical Mantra. Souza held the bit for a good couple of strides while Magical Mantra was ridden out and under the whip as well. Once Souza let Black Phantom loose, the Naren trainee bounded forward with complete disregard and surprising ease. Es Sider came from a long way back to finish second.
Centreofattention (Black Cash – Bon Sang) was the shortest priced runner of the day. Sitting fourth but close to the leader, Samuel Fargeat set the favourite alight early in the straight. Centreofattention responded brilliantly, galloped past the front-runners readily, and drew away from the field. The Right Man came from the last position at the bend to finish ahead the rest. Zippity Zip ran on under the whip to come into place money.
Imran Chisty was the only Indian jockey to score a double and although the lad was made to fight hard on both mounts, he returned with flying colours keeping a cool head and was focused to the task on hand. Adam’s Pleasure (Alnasr Alwasheek – Adam’s Treasure) was sitting just behind the leaders and Palermo was right there with him. Can Can threw away all hopes soon on start as she failed to raise an effective gallop early on to stay with the bunch. She ran detached last till into the straight and made a little progress to end a faraway fifth.
In the straight, the fight was heating up as Palermo was asked serious questions first by Adam’s Pleasure and Pure Devotion also threatening from the inside. The trio were engaged in a grim battle with but q few strides left and the final push from Imran Chisty was a telling blow for Palermo and Adam’s Pleasure prevailed on the last stride. Pure Devotion ended just another ¾ L behind. Game of Talent also appeared to join in the fight but failed to sustain. He might prove to be a different customer the next time.
Zen (Mr. Mellon – I’m Sensational) saw Imran Chisty at his best. Finding himself stuck on the rails with Mrs Jones in front and tiring, Zen had nowhere to go when Black Partridge passed by to grab the lead and build on it. Zen who just could not gallop freely, had to wait until Mrs Jones fell back, after which Chisty took him out and stepped on it inside the final furlong Once he saw daylight, Zen zipped past black Partridge and Highland Vision was never to close to be worried about. It was a splendid effort that paid rich dividends.
Asclepieion was a big let down to his followers. In box seat right through the journey, Asclepieion led the field home but wilted tamely when confronted by Adallia. Adallia marched on ahead and scored a good three-length victory. Caramel ran on to clinch the runner up berth and Urban Warrior piped the favourite to grab the place money.
Moonstorm (Black Cash – Millywakay) made ample amends to her last start failure and over the extra furlong this time, chose to race from the mid bunch unlike last time when she raced in the front. Moonstorm took charge early in the straight and galloped on to go further away from her rivals. Encouragement kicked on to keep the rest at bay. Sierra Vista, who was never prominent, came up on the wide outside to save the place money thus making a statement to keep a watch the next time. Blade Runner who was not in the best of positions early on improved a few notches in the straight but gave in the third to Sierra Vista.
Jockeys Daneil Grant, Francis Norton NG McCullagh and Imran Chisty scored a double each while SK Sunderji was the lone trainer to do so.
