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Trainer S Padmanabhan revealed that Icebreaker might well be on course for a stint in the US as she will get to race on even terms in the handicap there. “She is fit and at her best, and she will not carry any impost that Holding Court had to carry, so there is an advantage. I am confident that she will do well in her new campaign,” he said.
Apprentice jockey Trevor Patel was on fire sending out the first treble of his career. All his three victories were hard earned and Trevor was simply brilliant on all. Royal Gesture (Brave Hunter – Maiden of Iron) was perhaps given the best ride of the day by Trevor who fought out the final furlong gamely with the late finishing Crème De La Crème. Little Warrior had a handy lead coming into the straight at which stage both Royal Gesture and Crème De La Crème were finding their feet. Royal Gesture came alive around 300 m from home and went past Little Warrior with ease. Crème De La Crème joined him soon and both went hammer and tongs passing the wire together in a thrilling finish. Trevor had done a brilliant job and the photo verdict went in his favour in a very close verdict.
In the next race, Trevor partnered the friendless Western Challenge who had never seen the winning post before in his career. The leads changed with regularity as On My Way gave in to Moon Gazer, who later surrendered to Green Signal. The rest of the field was never too far and they were huddled closely. Green Signal entered the straight under pressure and caved in when Western Challenge came alongside. Lightening Cavalry started to make his move from the rails while Krug tried to challenge from the outside. Trevor kept the gelding going and outlasted his rivals to land the Jayaramdas Patel Trophy in a fighting finish with Lightening Cavalry and Krug on his heels.
Gerrad (Serious Spender – Great Request) also put to test Trevor’s riding skill and the lad came up trumps yet again in the last race of the day. Attempting the mile race start to finish, Trevor kept Gerrad going in front. Just after passing the 1000, Living The Dream clipped Gerrad’s hind and stumble, rendering his jockey Dashrath Singh off the balance. Dashrath fell and it looked a violent fall as he went tumbling amidst hooves all around him. Dashrath though had a miraculous escape with minor bruises. He is under observation for now. He would surely be thanking his stars.
Luckily, Gerrad never reacted to that clip and carried on regardless. He led the pack past the 400 when Splendid Secret came alongside with a spirited challenge. Trevor kept his focus even as Splendid Secret went past to head him narrowly and a third challenge emerged from stablemate Drama Queen. The trio was then engaged in a fierce battle and towards the finish, Trevor got a little more out of Gerrad to rise again and have his neck in front at the right time.
The big made Brutus (Emerald Cat – Itsmyday) from trainer Nana Raghunath’s yard, made a successful start-to-finish bid to clinch the Kolah Trophy. Well, almost! Brutus took over the running from Ocean Admiral and once into the lead, had it all under control. David Allan came into the straight with a comfortable lead and Ocean Admiral was in chase. The latter, however, was under pressure and ran green. He shifted all across the track and this made it easier for Brutus who kept adding turf with every stride. Torriglia covered a bit of ground to run third.
Viva La Diva (Diffident – Amazing Girl) lived up to her reputation and won with a strong finishing gallop. Racing almost on the haunches of leader Ocean Farer, Viva La Diva could have got into trouble in the straight as Ocean Farer started to drift out. Aqualina shot through the rails and grabbed a slight advantage; however, Viva La Diva came up with a forceful gallop and went ahead in the nick of time. Ocean Farer went completely wide and finished on the outer rails. Viva La Diva surged ahead in the last 200 and won handsomely. Aqulina ended a good second ahead of Ocean Farer was nearly off the screen on the extreme out.
River Gem (Ikhtyar – Kilshannig) won it from the word go. Hitting the front soon on start, River Gem was fast and ferocious. Enticement, who was in chase, could not match strides and gave up with a furlong to go. Old-timer Amaranza put in a spirited gallop and made a fight of it before age told and he had to surrender the runner up berth as well to the late finishing Fish Pilot. River Gem won well and clocked under the minute but only just.
Blue Thunder (Alnasr Alwasheek – Blue Horizon) justified the heavy following by pulling off a comfortable victory, pulling away from the rest in the final furlong. Settling into the third behind Orion Star and Tearaway, Blue Thunder gathered acceleration just approaching the distance post and bounded forward in a flash to stifle any possible threat. Tehrani covered some ground late to finish a tame second ahead of Wells Fargo.
Kimaya (Bee’s Prospector – Romantic Revival) was knocking on the door with a couple of forward runs to show recently. Sitting well up with the front bunch, Kimaya came with a strong gallop past the distance post to wrest the issue from the fighting stable mate duo of favourite Gypsy Queen and Above All. In the last furlong, Gypsy Queen was passed by Above All and both were going all out when Kimaya appeared on the scene to sail past them with ease.
It was a big day in Trevor Patel’s career. He had every reason to rejoice as he had notched up a well-earned treble with all being fighting close finishes. If he continues to ride with such determination, he will improve to be a good jockey. David Allan was the other jockey who had a good day winning both his mounts well. Trainer SK Sunderji too saddled a treble to end with a lucrative day and he couldn’t have been happier at the achievement of Western Challenge, who earned his maiden winning bracket.
