Solid Gold Shines in Delhi |
| Alim Khan-trained horses hogged the limelight at the Delhi races on Monday. Most of the events earmarked for the youngsters were at their mercy. The most spectacular run was that of Solid Gold, who trounced the field in the Galloping Acres Stud Farm Cup. Trainers H Ali Khan and A Khan notched up a creditable double. Punters, however, were a baffled lot. There was no trackwork for over a week due to dense fog in the mornings. Even a paddock glimpse of horses and following the betting tradition didn’t help as only two favourites (Solid Gold and Ashwa Pragya) out of seven races crossed the wire safely. After getting a lung opener in the Mukteshwar Stud Colt Trial Stakes, Solid Gold was expected to taste victory soon. The day finally came within a short span of two weeks. The speedy chestnut bolted out front providing the jockey Rajinder an armchair ride over the five-furlong trip. The son of Ontario and Visible Gold may mature into a good sprinter. Supreme Victory (China Visit - Romantic Alliance) finished an impressive third behind The Big Blast. The senior division of the Indian Army Cup, the supporting event of the day, witnessed a three-way finish among Black Partridge, Game Of Talent and Exotic Star. However, Shah Nawab-trained Black Partridge prevailed over the two in a start-to-finish attempt. The five-year-old gelding, who had been playing second fiddle for the last two occasions, was run in the upper class to cash-in on the handicap advantage. Game of Talent's bid came a trifle too late. Luck continued to play havoc for Exotic Star as even aluminium shoes could not help him out in the dying seconds. This is the fifth continuous time that he has faltered as a favourite. The run of Aashwa Panama and Trusted Friend are notable. The lower division of the Indian Army Cup was lifted by Sarir under the strong guidance of the visiting jockey DK Ashish. King Challenge, who looked all set to corner glory, was poorly handled by jockey Chand Mohammed. Kohinoor Empire, who ran on to be late third, should soon earn a bracket. The day's opener, Prithvi Missile Plate, saw Queen of Sun and Star Sparkle battling it out on the turf and later in the Stewards room. Ranjeet Singh, who rode H Ali Khan-saddled Star Sparkle, objected the way of riding of Rajinder Saini on Queen of Sun for bumping, boring and taking him out from the top of the straight to the winning post. The authorities were convinced with Ranjeet's explanations as the margin of two was only a neck. The favourite Persian Power burst its blood vessel. Ashwa Pragya registered a narrow victory over Skyros in the Southern Command Plate. A Khan had his second win through Fearlessnegotiator in the upper division of the Army Headquarter Plate (1,200m). The gelding should complete an encore. Real Scotch, who galloped late to occupy the runner-up berth, is capable of even scoring over longer distances. Bhoomiputra enabled his master H Ali Khan to earn his double in the lower division of the plate. The four year-old colt survived by a length in a pillar-to-post mission. Jewel Star, who was seen toiling hard to turn the table on Bhoomiputra, found the nine-kg difference on scale from the victor too much. Fidel Defensor, Doon Boy and Real Strong should soon be on the winning path. |
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