Deepak Karki-trained Thousand Stars opened the afternoon’s proceedings with a laborious victory over Flying Jaguar. Surprisingly, the winner closed at 3/1 as money came on both Art Of War and the favourite Flying Jaguar. Apprentice B. Mahesh made it a start-to-finish affair despite his mount drifting out as he is wont to do. While Flying Jaguar ran a good second, the disappointment in the race was Art Of War who was a shadow of his usual speedy self.
|
Several form-workers had Sonic Melody in their cross-hairs but the presence of Akhtar in the saddle must have shooed them away from having a flutter on the Daniel David-trained colt. After biding his time in mid-division till midway up the straight, Sonic Melody unleashed a stupendous gallop down the centre of the track to put paid to the pretensions of the favourite. Fit For Fray ran on to occupy the runner-up berth. The win dividend on Sonic Melody paid a whopping Rs 319.
The classy filly from western India, Anastasia, was the cynosure of all eyes in the day’s third race, The Moon Mission Handicap. Apprentice Kishore Kadam rode a clever race atop the Pesi Shroff–schooled filly, allowing her to settle down before making his move. It was an important ploy as this was her debut run at this centre. She cruised past pace-setter Salazaar and quite easily staved off Secret Whispers. After this victory, she is likely to close as the favourite for the Fillies Trial. Asiatic Star, with C. Alford in the saddle, was running a forward race, but the son of Euro Star may have found the trip a little too long for his liking.
The presence of C. Alford on Pine Valley made him an ante-post favourite but it was stablemate Royal Dance who ran a better race. Prospective Lad, with able apprentice B Srinivas Rao astride, made every post a winning one. Royal Dance was a hard-fought second while Robert Gowli-trained Ebony Princess was a good third. The disappointments were Ocean Dancer and Pine Valley.
Trainer Arti Doctor notched up a well-deserved double in the last two races of the day with Queen Of Hearts and Sparta. Both runners had failed with reputed riders earlier but came good in the hands of apprentices claiming 5kg. Kudos to the lady!
Md Sameer atop Queen Of Hearts used the inside draw to good effect as he hugged the rails and took the shortest route home to lift the Thrifty Allan Cup. The favourite Arnatta had all the chances but failed to match strides with other sprinters over this five-and-half furlong scurry. With a flyweight on his back, Glory of North was a good second.
Srinivas Rao completed a double when he won the day’s final event with Sparta in nonchalant style. Andeana was a good second but needs more ground.
