|
The other noteworthy performance in the nine-event card came from Padmanabhan's Gypsy Magic. This filly has proved to be a handful for her master. Gypsy Magic was known for her wayward antics as a youngster. She used to run according to her own whims and fancies and show scant respect for the numerous world-class jockeys that were summoned to ride her. Her effort in the Poonawalla Multimillion at Mumbai had signalled her hidden potential. On that occasion, she was a detached last into the straight, widest at the bend and the fastest finisher on the outer rails of the Mahalakshmi racetrack. Despite all these impediments, she had lost the biggest juvenile race in a close finish. After a couple of indifferent performances, Gypsy Magic enabled her connections to win the last "Million" race of the summer season. Her newfound partnership with jockey Appu seemed to have worked wonders for her. Gypsy Magic had raced like a seasoned campaigner. She had taken a good jump, raced on the rails, entered the straight on an even keel, shown no signs of veering out under pressure and stormed home to a popular victory.
Gypsy Magic made her seasonal debut on Saturday. The big made filly was set to carry a backbreaking 61 Kilos in a mile race for horses in Class II. She was giving loads of weight to other three year olds in this race. She looked well settled in the paddock and cantered comfortably to the starting gates at the mile marker. Appu was happy to take a good jump from an inner draw and settle her nicely on the rails. With Spark Of Reverence setting a solid pace in front, the runners were spread out across the field. Gypsy Magic and Bourbon Bay made their moves at more or less the same juncture. The filly moved like an arrow into the straight, and despite conceding 6 kilos to Bourbon Bay, ran away from him. Gypsy Magic showed great maturity today. She ran an absolutely settled race and showed that she is comfortable with her present environment. Trainer Padmanabhan is an astute craftsman, and it is learnt that he is taking Gypsy Magic to Mumbai to have a tilt at the Indian Classics.
Jockey PS Chouhan had the distinction of winning both divisions of The Air Force Trophy today. He made full use of a chance ride that he got astride Real Gladiator. With Harish reporting sick, Chouhan rode a powerhouse finish on this Warren Singh trained youngster. His job became a lot easier when hot favourite Cruising got hemmed-up along the rails. Jockey De Souza was unable to extract the favourite in time and lost a race that he could have won. Superb Style ran second while Cruising covered a lot of ground at the end to finish third.On-money favourite Rashida enabled Chouhan and Neil Darashah to win the other division. Top weighted Rashida took a long time to catch front running Star Presence, before winning in a tight finish. Both these runners are capable of scoring again in the near future.
Dominic was the only other professional to score more than once today. Hurricane Bolt and Bucephalas enabled him to achieve this coveted double. John brought Hurricane Bolt with a flourish to go past a hapless Misty Moonlight in the day's opener. Jockey Vinod Shinde tried to reverse this verdict by lodging a frivolous objection, but the same was thrown out in quick time. Bucephalas was entrusted to apprentice Khurshad, and the young man did full justice to his mount. He kept his horse on the rails and saved ground for most of the way. He began his move from mid division and was soon racing on the centre of the track. Bucephalas picked up a lot of tired horses on the way and sailed past She's A Lady near the winning post. Hot favourite Calypso Star failed once again and it would be sensible for race goers to leave her alone from a betting perspective in future.
Neil Darashah's Glory Bound was heavily supported in an age-group race for horses in Class IV. The gelding was looking the part in the paddock. He sported a nice coat and looked keen to run. But his hopes were dashed by the dickey-legged Nermai. The race was run at an exceptionally fast pace as Sparklingadventure tore away to the front and led by many lengths into the straight. Nermai was his closest challenger and this enabled him to score today. Nermai went past the tiring leader and sustained this lead till the end. Glory Bound was unable to keep a straight path and ran green in the straight. The wet underfoot conditions may have hampered the favourite's cause.
The biggest bombshell of the day was dropped by Narayan Gowda's Duckworth. This Razeen Progeny loved the going today and romped home in spectacular fashion. Apprentice Adarsh was a mute spectator for most of the way. He overtook Shisham at the bend and lengthened his strides. The fancied pair of Raptor Force and Noble Kingdom were unable to finish in the first three. It was left to Redford and Star Speed to save place money for their supporters.
