At that point of time, Nirmal Jodha put Aamar Kaku into top gear and the game horse that he is, he responded magnificently. The winner of five races was gaining ground on the filly when the gutsy daughter of Placerville was coaxed by Alford into drawing on her reserve strength. That she was stretched by Javed Khan’s ward speaks well of the latter as he had not run a classic till date.
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The Vijay-Alford combo opened their account with Azures in the 2,000 metres race for the Indian Air Force Cup. The red-and-gold brigade had three runners in the fray. Pesi Shroff-trained Accessor closed as the 2/1 favourite. He was outclassed by the Vijay Singh pair of Azureus and Validate. Sangoma set a good pace and kicked on in the straight before being collared by the top-weight Azureus with a degree of comfort. Alford was content to stay in the last berth till the straight before making his move – a virtual repetition of his last win in the monsoon season.
The popular trainer-jockey duo completed their hat-trick of wins when Art Excellence picked up the Acorn Stakes in dramatic manner. She had been denied the Alokananda Stakes by the guardians of the game, but on this occasion, she amply displayed her classic potential. In the final furlong, she went into overdrive as she collared the runaway Cuba Libre close home. Bayberry ran a disappointing fourth, making one wonder whether her maiden win over Mandira was a flash in the pan performance.
Trainer Daniel David and his able stable-retainer A Imran Khan combined fruitfully to land a well-backed brace. Fly For Sure won the Eastern Air Command Cup after A Imran Khan used the whalebone a dozen times in the straight. It was really his own fault for getting himself into a jam. He has been long enough at this centre to know that Thousand Stars will hang out after the home turn and to keep his mount on the latter’s flank was utterly suicidal. He was lucky to get away with it. The chestnut would have retired a comfortable winner had he been ridden with a little more astuteness. For a moment, the handicap horse Carmen threatened to upset his applecart. Apprentice Babu Singh was only a moment away from gaining more laurels.
Daniel and Imran completed their double with Duke Of Windsor in the Network Handicap. He carried his 2-kg penalty for his last good second without batting an eyelid. Ballantyne and Special Star were struggling to keep pace with him.
A clever gamble came good in the day’s opening event when Jasbir Singh-schooled Fit For Fray was backed down from 7/1 to 3/1. She closed as the tote favourite. Pawan Sharma rode a great race to land the spoils. Though LegendaryEmperor wanted to steal a march on the others, Sharma maintained his cool as he gradually improved his mount’s position. The winner produced a rousing gallop in the straight. For once, Brave Move ran a good race. Whether he will be able to maintain his form at his new home is left to be seen.
The lower division of the San Francisco Handicap went Enzo’s way as C. Alford left nothing to chance. The same cannot be said for the opposition who appeared to be asleep barring White Hart Lane.
Kamlesh got a chance ride on Charulata in the upper division of the same race when Nirmal Jodha cried off. Blazing Beauty was being backed by most of the punters and professionals alike. They had obviously not bothered to watch his earlier win carefully. After a show of early speed, the favourite was seen to struggle while Supreme Falcon and Bright Blossom steadily gained ground. Finally, it was the aged mare Charulata who came with a thundering gallop down the centre to gain the day.
