Enya Toils for Top Spot |
| It took Enya her last ounce of energy to get better of Black Chetak in the Bangalore Turf Club Cup at the Delhi races on Tuesday. Ashwa Paylia succeeded in bagging the supporting event of the day - Dr SD Sharma Memorial Cup. Jockey Ranjeet Singh, and saddlers Mohsin Khan and Alim Khan notched up a double each. Only five top-class contenders took part in the race for the Major Pradeep Kumar Mehra Memorial Cup. Before the race, none of other four looked as strong as Enya. But the way Black Chetak made Enya sweat out, one could easily assert that had he been whipped or ridden out vigorously in the last few yards, the outcome might have been different. Enya showed out quickly over the mile but within the initial furlong, Buddy Brothers displaced her. However, the latter did not enjoy it much as Black Chetak's speed forced him to stay back in the second position till the top of the final curve. Enya (Steinbeick - Adorer), who was kept in check till the half-way mark by jockey Rajinder, found its legs shaking at around 300m. The four-year-old filly started showing distress signal but jockey Raza (Black Chetak) failed to utilise it and the opportunity slipped away by three-parts-of-a-length. In fact, S Raza has not been able to win a race for a long period. Middle Man, who stuck to the third position after spending early seconds in the fourth position, came into action a trifle late to breathe at the neck of Black Chetak. Roopendra Singh Shekhawat-trained Ashwa Payalia completed an encore by making every post a winning one. Serious Attitude, who was the main threat to the victor before settling with the runner-up berth, should step into the winner's boot. Real Scotch was once again denied for a clear passage in the last furlong but managed to figure on the board ahead of Dutch Art, whose poor handling once again came his way. Kerry Blue, who ran after a long lay-off, finished an impressive fifth. Bay filly Divine Grace (China Visit/Ammeter) came out of maiden status in the curtain raiser - Vidhan Soudha Plate. The Mumbai-runner, who has made her base in Delhi, proved that the longer distance (1,600m) was suitable for her. Attempting to run in the middle of the bunch, she looked to be in a hurry before reaching the final bend and soon put her best foot forward for a convincing victory over Real Strong. Bay of Thunder found the weight of 60 Kg too heavy to bear and finished third. Hs is capable of keeping the run aside. Energetic Girl (Ranjeet Singh astride) earned a bracket despite drifting out in the Veterinarian Plate. The filly, who has the habit of shifting out, was not allowed to run freely till the field turned for the homestretch. Lagunillas beat Ashwa Prisha for the second place. A Debutant The Mafia wormed up late to fill the board. He has the potential to spring a surprise. Happygolucky, who was displaced by The Mafia, needed this run. Later, Ranjeet celebrated his second win with Red Mesa, who caused an upset in the upper division of the St Stephen Hospital Plate. Forest Music was made to run only second. Aashwa Saball, who led the way till the final furlong, should soon raise a winning gallop. Gandharaj found the five-furlong trip a little sharp before finishing fourth ahead of a late galloper Flying Rock. The lower division of the plate witnessed a close finish between Heavenly Angel and Spicy Move. The latter failed to foil the start-to-finish bid of the former. Indian Bride and Skyros are knocking at the door. |
| [News Around Archives] |
|
|