The powerful stable of trainer S Ganapathy, which has been passing through a lean phase in recent times, saw an upswing in its fortunes on Sunday at Bangalore. The one-time champion trainer cornered the day's glory by saddling the winner of The Bangalore Summer Million (Grade III), and going on to complete a rare treble in an eight-event card framed for the afternoon. Ganapathy's Magisterial (Placerville-Queen Ann) justified his favouritism in the day's feature, by posting an authoritative victory over his ten rivals. This richly endowed event attracted some of the best three year-olds stationed at this centre. Being a terms event with penalties for those who had won more than once, this race saw Sunny's Secret, Aztec Gold and Saloni conceding weight to the others. The sparingly raced Magisterial came at the bottom of the scale, along with other fancied runners like Sun Dancing and Skyliner. The big-made gelding, who was seen at the top of the betting boards, was fancied ahead of Saloni and Sun Dancing. The only question that came to most racegoers mind was the favourite's ability to stay. While most of the others had tackled longer trips, Magisterial had run and won over six furlongs. The expanding victory margin of over nine lengths was indicative of his superiority, and the fact that he was getting stronger at the finish on that day was quite significant. He justified the confidence of his connections by winning comfortably.
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Trainer S Ganapathy leading Magisterial
(A Imran Khan Up), winner of The Bangalore Summer Million Grade-III |
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The early pace in this "Million" was quite modest with Yas Marina showing the way to Magisterial, Kilimanjaro, Skyliner, Saloni and Aztec Gold. The others were huddled together, with each one trying his best to gain an advantageous position near the final bend. Yas Marina and Christopher Alford drifted off the rails and held a narrow advantage over Magisterial as the runners entered the straight. Harish noticed the huge gap on the rails and took full advantage of the situation. He pushed Aztec Gold through this opening and managed to hit the front. However, his dominance was shortlived. Imran Khan had already begun his charge with Magisterial, and the big-made horse was responding brilliantly. The favourite joined issue with Aztec Gold, and after a brief duel in the final furlong, sailed away from him. His lengthening strides and the smart timing of 1 minute 38 seconds showed that Magisterial had stayed every inch of ground today. The supporters of Aztec Gold weren't disheartened, as their ward had conceded 3 kilos to the winner. They will look forward to reversing this verdict in the future Classics, when the two horses meet at level weights. Yas Marina faded from the scene to finish a fair third ahead of Andromache.
Most of the other fancied runners ran poorly in this race. Saloni raced prominently till the bend, and got tired in the straight. She struggled under pressure and refused to respond to Suraj's urgings. Sun Dancing's challenge fizzled out near the bend. It was learnt that she had burst a blood vessel at that stage. Skyliner was definitely uncomfortable over this trip. He is more of a sprinter, and his trainer would do well to campaign him accordingly. Well regarded Ice Bound was out of depth in this company. The one that impressed was the Mumbai-based Andromache. This Katrak-trained filly began her racing career during the present Summer Season, and this was her second start. She finished a comfortable fourth and signalled that she would be too-good-to-miss on her return to Pune.
The other two winners for the Ganapathy stable were Grand Topaz and Noble Breeze. Both scored by widening margins, but in slightly differing circumstances. Both these runners were offered at 2/1 in morning trade. With huge amounts being wagered on Grand Topaz, the price on this filly shortened to 75/100. Imran Khan allowed her to follow Son Of The Sun till the bend before making his move. Grand Topaz bounded forward and scored the expected victory. On the other hand, the odds against Noble Breeze expanded rapidly. Within a few minutes, Noble Breeze was being offered at 6's and over. Strong support for Amazer, Amazing Queen and Mega Joy led to such a situation. Notwithstanding her juicy odds, the filly set such a scorching pace that the others were found totally flatfooted. This allowed her to score one of the easiest victories of the afternoon. Amazer and Rumour Proof managed to fill the rest of the frame.
Sunday saw another professional performance from apprentice Zervan, who won a couple of races during the afternoon. He made the trip from Pune to ride a few horses in the day's card. The most significant amongst this lot was his mount Inspired Move, who was bidding to complete a hat-trick this season. Since the young man had guided her to her two earlier victories, the connections did not want to change this winning combination. The filly headed the scales in a Class IV race over 1400 metres. Suraj Narredu's Sun Salvador was a hot order in this race. This Irfan Ghatala-trainee was the shortest priced favourite this season. A winner of his only start, the three year-old was considered to be much too good for his opposition. However, what unfurled in this race, was a totally different story. Suraj allowed the favourite to relax in fifth position, as a bunch of no-hopers led the pack and brought them into the straight. Zervan and Inspired Move were biding their time at the back and were awaiting their turn to pounce on the leaders. The race took a serious turn near the final bend. Sweet Caroline was being chased by Sun Salvador in the middle and Inspired Move on the wider outside. While Sun Salvador took a little time to quicken his strides, the filly was absolutely brilliant. Inspired Move responded to Zervan's urgings and sped past the leaders. She changed course at this stage and came inwards. Suraj tried his best astride the favourite, but the task looked impossible. Inspired Move travelled nicely to keep Sun Salvador at bay. A tired Sweet Caroline plodded along to finish a poor third.
Suraj decided to take a chance in the Stewards Room by lodging an objection against the winner. He contended that Inspired Move had taken his ground and interfered with Sun Salvador's progress in the last three hundred metres of this race. Since the TV replays did not show any such evidence, the Stewards were quick to throw out his claim. They further decided to fine Suraj Narredu a sum of Rs 10,000 for giving misleading evidence during this enquiry. The champion jockey's behaviour during these proceedings earned him the wrath of the Stewards. He was suspended for one month under section 101(1) of the BTC rules of racing for his gross misconduct while being questioned by The Stipes and The Stewards.
Zervan completed his double astride Attaolahi's Chintz. This was another filly that he had ridden earlier in the season, and on both occasions, managed the third position. The duo went one better today, as they decided to change the tactics. Instead of coming from behind, the filly was allowed to go to the front. Chintz loved her new style of running, and led into the straight. She was travelling quite comfortably and there was no need for Zervan to press any panic buttons. He gave Chintz a couple of taps in the last furlong, and succeeded in keeping a late rushing Cruising and Tanzanite at bay.
Padmanabhan's Kirtling showed remarkable improvement over her last start by winning a maiden's event on Sunday. The fact that she had ended many, many lengths behind the winner on that day, saw her odds expanding in this race. The filly was quick out of the gates and was soon at the helm of affairs. She led comfortably and managed to hold Elite Land at bay. Suraj Narredu had to ride her flat-out in the last furlong, as she was tending to slow down at that stage. A Shooting Star managed to retain his third spot ahead of Seaside Star. The last-named was another runner who suffered from a burst blood-vessel today.
The day ended with a popular victory for the Byramji-trained Incredible. She had run a suggestive third while being ridden by a whipless apprentice in her only start this Summer. The filly towered over her rivals and performed accordingly. Imran Chisty chased Classical Dancer till well into the straight, before giving Incredible her head. The free-striding favourite made mincemeat of her rivals by increasing the margin of her victory. The "distance" that separated her from the second placed Captain's Lover tells the complete story. Top-weighted Classical Dancer managed to retain his third spot ahead of Pinaakini and Bucephalas. The winner is in great heart, and now that she has re-discovered her winning habit, it may be fair to assume that she will win again.
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