The filly had very recently been transferred from the stables of Pesi Shroff to Patrick Quinn under the new ownership of Arif. In Ruzaan’s hands, the speedster had failed narrowly to Thundering Hooves in the race for the Aperitivo Cup.
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Jockey Christopher Alford had four notable mounts during the afternoon but could only bring home one of them - Adriano. This is not to fault him in anyway. While Glorious Knight fell to a stout-hearted display from Bourbon Queen, Auckley was going over a trip of 2,000 metres without any experience over middle distances at all. In my long stay at the wicket, I have only observed two trainers capable of such feats – Rashid Byramji and Uttam Singh. To blame Christopher for these failures is totally unjustified.
Adriano, available at extremely playable odds of 6/4, opened the afternoon’s proceedings, and gleeful punters raked in the loot. The mile race saw the unfortunate Secret Whispers finding one better once again. The colt really deserves better as he is indeed a good sort. Jockey Rajinder took the Bath-trained chestnut to the head of the field with Adriano in tow. In the straight, Alford pushed the Vijay Singh-trained colt past the front-runner for an easier than verdict victory.
Top-weight Knight Valiant was piloted confidently by Imran Khan for fine triumph in the Donegal Handicap. The Daniel David-trained chestnut is likely to win again. The favourite Mystro was hopelessly outclassed while Simply Perfect was the best of the rest.
Bath-trained Glorious Knight was backed to the exclusion of all others in the race for the Deep Water Blues Handicap. C. Alford rode a well-judged race but met a tartar in the top-weight Bourbon Queen, on whom Kadam never eased the pressure all the way down the straight. Andrology was a fairly good third.
The youngster Arbroath showed his sprinting prowess as he galloped away to a facile victory in the Capture The Moment Plate. Royal Saga showed early speed but that’s where his story ended. The Bharath Singh-trained colt was available at 14/10 and was flawlessly ridden by Islam.
Wednesday was well and truly a poor one for Arti Doctor as the favourite Jade in the last race, The Stand Off Handicap, was left standing at the gates. Imran Khan played the waiting game astride David-trained Southern Beauty and brought her in after a keen tussle with Brave Move in the straight. Auckley lacked the experience and will be the better for this race.
