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Opportunity raced into the front along with Viceroy with Billo Rani and Prime Time not far behind. Splendid Secret was on the rails and Eye of the Strom was in the rear. At the turn, Opportunity went ahead but was soon joined by Prime Time both going forward with purpose. Splendid Secret switched on the outside and made a sustained bid and the three were getting ready for a final showdown. Just when it appeared that they were heading for a three-pronged finish, Eye of the Storm with Dashrath Singh astride, poked through the rails and simply strode away powerfully making it a no contest in the final100 metres. Splendid Secret just beat Opportunity for the runner-up berth, while Prime Time ended a poor fourth.
Slickkit (Senure – Baloustar) was not in a hurry as they jumped out of the gates for the PD Bolton Trophy – a six-furlong scurry and the main event of the day. It was Carlos who spurted ahead opening a long lead, followed by Star Attraction; the rest were in close bunch with Slickkit having just the slowly off Shyboy behind. Carlos packed up as they entered the straight, Star Attraction was travelling well and her jockey Suraj Narredu had not yet let her loose. Slickkit moved from the outside and started devouring ground at a brisk race. The momentum DeSouza got out of Slickkit was breathtaking and Slickkit just left Star Attraction and sundry pedestrian and rocketed ahead in a trice. Star Attraction fought the rest of the journey only for the next best position. Generalissimo ended a notable third. Slickkit from trainer Altamash Ahmed’s stable was simply too good.
Ecstatica (Senure – Star Shine) put in an amazing display in the straight to snuff out her rivals in a most convincing fashion. Travelling in the mid bunch, jockey YS Srinath gradually came within striking distance at the turn. Ecstatica, when alerted to go for it, galloped resolutely to sway the contest her way with a terrific turn of foot in the last furlong and a half. She looked the winner a long way from home and won without duress. Rose Bowl had a nice lung opener and ended a noteworthy second though a good five lengths away and just ahead of Suraj. Free Spirit over came a sluggish start and did commendably well to figure in the judge’s frame.
Saints And Sinners (Burden of Proof – Corsicana) landed his connections a huge coup on his debut run itself. Not in the betting until the morning odds were opened, Saints And Sinners was the universal rage in the ring. He was backed down to capture the ‘favourite’ status at race time. And did he pull off a great gamble!
Nursing the debutante to perfection, jockey NG McCullagh sat right up just behind the front-runners and took his chances early as they began to turn for the final run. Once in the straight, McCullagh surged forward and let the rest chase him down. That never happened as Saints And Sinners, equally up to the task, galloped on strongly and relentlessly to bring home the bacon without anxiety. Rehanullah Khan had done his job with precision and the gelding was fine tuned to the ‘T’ to be at his best. For owner Nathani, it was rich returns seeing Saints And Sinners put in a successful debut performance. Supreme Emperor, the other well-supported runner bled during the race, and I overheard someone saying in lighter vein, that it was not the horse alone that bled.
Rajasthan Royals (Hymn – Jukebox) reversed the last run verdict with River Dragon on the Guineas day coming up with an extremely good gallop in the straight. Sitting second from early on behind Perpetuation, Rajasthan Royals surged ahead early in the straight and built up a sizable lead. River Dragon got stuck on the rails for a while and then did not quicken as he did last time when he got the clear passage ahead. Jockey Malesh Narredu was never caught on the wrong foot and put his might behind the Magan Singh trainee. River Dragon tried his best but could only finish second ahead of the well backed Blue Thunder who was never in the hunt.
Roman Legion (Emerald Cat – Stratospheric) created a huge flutter as he hit the front and kept the momentum going. Roman Legion had Sunlight for company on straightening up, and just when Sunlight got to the haunches of the leader, jockey Prakash opened his shoulders and Roman Legion taking the cue accelerated well and darted ahead away form the shell shocked Sunlight. Roman Legion finished on strongly giving no chance to Sunlight whatsoever. Rhythm Divine was the second successive flop from trainer Pesi Shroff’s yard that went down without a whimper.
Tommy Carmichael (Diffident – Little Cinderella) produced the best run of his life and was rewarded with a well-fought victory. Chasing Destined Prince until well into the straight, Tommy Carmichael progressed under some hard riding from jockey Harish who trounced Destined Prince midway up the straight. Nara made her move on the wide outside closer to the outer railing. Nara, however, was late in her bid and despite covering ground the fastest in the final furlong, touched the wire a small fraction of a second late, the winning post coming crucially a stride too early for her. Only The Brave did well to retain the third spot despite prolonged pressure lurking all the way into the straight. Dreamride although squarely beaten, also came up with purpose to grab the final pole position.
