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Both divisions of the Sea Legend Cup were lifted by trainer Vikash Jaiswal who like Javed is very much a ‘thinking’ trainer. He pulled off a well-planned coup at high odds with Iora and Mirror Image. Brother Vinay rode Iora to near perfection. I say ‘near’ because he opted for the rails after lying in mid-division but quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. He switched the filly to outside of Blazing Beauty and Torrential and in a trice changed the whip to his left hand. Thus, after several forward runs, Iora produced her best when ridden in check. She had come out of the maiden ranks in similar fashion last monsoon. All said and done, it was a brilliant ride by Vinay. In the same race, jockey Sk Israil drew the wrath of the stewards for poor handling of Italian Dream which travelled wide all round and finished on the outer rails. A superior rider could well have reversed the verdict. Israil was fined Rs 3,000 in the race and a similar amount in the first race for his handling of Donna Italiana.
In the upper division of the Sea Legend Cup, Mirror Image was well in at weights as compared to the favourite Successful. Along with Legendary Emperor, the trio had met earlier in the season. While Legendary Emperor couldn’t do justice to his handicap, Mirror Image was given a clean ride by Salim Khan. She jumped out cleanly and made it a start-to-finish affair. Italian Star was a fairly good second and will be worth keeping an eye on.
Mrs Jones showed wonderful early speed to take the lead and make ends meet in the opening five-furlong race for The Turf Hawk Handicap. Apprentice Babu Singh is a competent rider and took no chances. Kishore Kadam’s first winner was atop Temptation in the Swatantrata Handicap. It was a crawling pace set by Dazzling Win. Temptation was running a handy fourth till the turning for home. Royal Scandal took over the running at the bend but was soon challenged and passed by the top-weight winner.
Kadam’s second winner Antares was truly creditable for both the rider and the three-year-old gelding. The youngster displayed great determination under Kadam’s strong handling to collar the on-money favourite Credit Ease close home. Mafia Chief finished in the money once again and is earning his own upkeep pretty well. Keep an eye on him when he runs again on Saturday.
The afternoon ended with the biggest upset of the day – Supreme Attraction. The hot on-money favourite Alize was blocked twice but nevertheless finished third. She ought to win if placed judiciously next time out. The withdrawal of Best Bet left the coast clear for Alize which would have given Kadam a fourth winner. But it was not to be. Top-weight Flying Jaguar ran a good second and may notch up another win in his own age group.
