|
It was more like a family affair with Karl’s mother, Mrs Nan Umrigar presenting an exquisite crystal horse and diamond studded Trophy to Mr KN Dhunjibhoy the co-owner of Diego Rivera along with Mr ZK Dhunjibhoy and Mr Vispi Patel. Pesi Shroff picked up a lovely necklace for his wife Tina Shroff which was presented by Tina’s elder brother, Mr Neville Umrigar. “This race was in memory of my brother Karl Umrigar who lived for the horses until the fatal fall. He was a Champion rider and would have loved a fight anytime on the track. The close finish of the race is the ideal race for Karl,” said Neville.
Sunset Boulevard (Bachelor Duke – Intimate) was most impressive in his debut run and got the better of Bullet who had earlier threatened to run away with the race. Prakash urged Sunset Boulevard to the front from an outside draw and was quick to be in the proximity of the leader Bullet. As they turned for home, Bullet and Sunset Boulevard were well clear of the rest and before Srinath could press the trigger on Bullet, Sunset Boulevard had the momentum going. She raced at a very fast clip and I cannot resist the temptation of going for the obvious pun that she was faster than Bullet! Pun aside, Sunset Boulevard was terrific with her stretch run and she clocked a fast timing of 58.46 for the five-furlong scurry. Bullet was unlucky to find one better but he sure will have his time soon having himself clocked a good timing of 58.86.
El Tropico (Juniper – Nature’s Miracle) compiled a fine hat-trick while adding the KM Munshi Trophy in the first race of the day. Hunter bay hit the front and went at a cracking pace from the word go. El Tropico sat tight on the tail of the leader while Adams Star and Lago Medio were up with the pace too. In the straight they got even quicker as Hunter bay galloped on at full steam. El Tropico was well up to the task and gathered a good momentum to join Hunter Bay soon on straightening up. Hunter Bay was reluctant to relent, but El Tropico kept up a sustained run and wore second in demand down in final 100 metres to win by a comfortable two lengths.
Old-timer Pepe Junior pulled a fast one (speed wise) and created a flutter fluking it against the top two fancies – Ikaria and Ares. Agha led the small field of five and was soon forced to share the lead with Ikaria and then Pepe Junior. Spitz ran close behind along the rails as Ares brought up the tail. Ikaria held a slight advantage in the straight but Pepe Junior was tugging at him all the time. Spitz could not get a clear rail run as young jockey Trevor Patel was undecided whether to go for the little gap or wait. The slowing Agha in front did not help matters either. Meanwhile, jockey A Sandesh and Pepe Junior had wrested the initiative from Ikaria who continued to fight, but Ares’ final burst was missing. Ares had moved to third with more than a furlong to go, but failed to get into top gear and was not making any impression. By then Pepe Junior had squarely beaten Ikaria who had to be content with the runner-up berth.
Sea Sparrow (Mr Mellon – Strike It Right) made ample amends for her last start loss as a favourite where he put in a lacklustre performance. This time, however, he showed much alacrity and set about chasing the leader First Empire and Deep Purple, sitting alongside his main rival Sine Qua Non. First Empire had Deep Purple alongside in the straight and Sine Qua Non was looking for room right behind them. With neither quickening in front Sine Qua Non was stuck for an agonizingly long period. Meanwhile, Sea Sparrow darted ahead and stole a march within seconds to build a handy lead. By the time Sine qua Non came around and made her final move, Sea Sparrow had stretched too far ahead and even as Sine Qua Non made a final dash, Sea Sparrow had sewn the race up leaving Sine Qua Non to only narrow the margin down.
Icon (China Visit – Nairn) put in a blinding gallop to shock favourite Bold Dancer on the post. Bold Dancer took over from Star Invitation and Zaracha soon on turning for home. Bold Dancer started his march towards the winning post with a strong gallop outpacing everyone in close vicinity but ran out of steam at the business end allowing Icon to cover considerable ground within the last fifty meters. Icon accelerated at a terrific rate and pulled off a sensational last stride victory. Dancing Dame was languishing in the rear for the most part but strode in to collect the place money with a good effort. Dignity Amplified ended a tame fourth.
River Star (Warrshan – Precieux Act) won the WI Bookmakers’ Trophy despite drifting out all the way and survived an objection from the rider of Dear Liza. Rose Bowl brought them into view and the entire field spread across the expanse, with each of the fifteen vying desperately to make a race of it. At 400, it looked like a cavalry charge was on. River Star got past the leader and was soon challenged by Dear Liza. River Star then started to drift outward and Dear Liza too was herself did not exactly keep a straight course. Both were galloping powerfully but could not stop shifting on towards the outer rails. Swept Away and Blumarine in the latter stages tried to make the most of this but neither could match the momentum of River Star and Dear Liza. River Star held on by ¾ L prompting jockey De Sousa to lodge an objection considering the narrow margin. The stewards though could be led to believe that the result would have been any different and unanimously decided to overrule the objection.
Game of Power (Diffident – Grand It Is) pulled off a sensational victory in the last race of the day, literally coming from the dead to storm past the seeming winners in grand style. Ibis and Dream talk were hoping to earn the winning bracket and were engaged in a hot battle for supremacy. They galloped past the distance post with Dream Talk getting the measure of Ibis. Game of Power, who was not even in the picture suddenly burst on the scene, conspicuous in his grey coat, and zipped past the duo with complete disregard to post an easy two-length victory.
For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff, SK Sunderji and jockeys C Rajendra and B Prakash scored a double each.
