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Amazing Grace canters home in Leger

  July 20 , 2014
   

Pesi Shroff trained Amazing Grace just had to complete the formality of going through with the grueling 2800 metres Gr 2 Bangalore St Leger trip with effortless ease to win the first classic of her career on Sunday. Jockey Trevor Patel was not required to move a muscle to guide the favourite to bloodless win as the two opponents in the fray could not offer even a modicum of resistance.

Calcutta Derby winner Snowdrift set the pace as the field set out for the longest race of the season with Amazing Grace settled beautifully in second position ahead of Ambitious Reward. The only feature of the race was the fact that all the three runners adjusted to the pace of the race well and raced on an even keel without fighting for their head. Snowdrift brought the field into view in the straight and led on sufferance before Trevor let Amazing Race to stretch out. The daughter of Irish Derby winner Hurricane Run cruised past the front runner and checked in by a widening margin of four lengths over Snowdrift who stayed on take the second slot. Ambitious Reward found no extra gear in the straight and gave up without a fight. It is a pity that lack of race experience went against Amazing Grace in the Indian classics early this year. Amazing Grace`s next target is the Gr 1 Indian St Leger at Pune.
  
  


The feeling that this summer season is the poorest in so many years is something that keeps haunting even as just about six race days are left for it to conclude. Racing has been oriented towards lower category races over sprints and things have been made worse by absence of competition. The 2000 metres Manitou Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65 was like a breath of fresh air. The race had an open look about it though for purpose of identifying a favourite, the bookmakers gave Elite Model that tag though the four year old filly had just one win to her credit in her career. Obelinna Princes had showed her readiness to strike in her last effort where she had finished second to Czar Rule over nine furlongs. Top weighted Evraz was the other who was backed with some conviction.

Salina did the job of pace setter with Obelinna Princess racing keen in second position followed by Evraz, Amistad, Elite Model and Big Ticket. Firelight stood in the gate and it took a while for the horse to be pulled out. Salina had the lead going into the straight but was soon pressed by Obelinna Princess who shot ahead inside the final 300 metres. Evraz too joined issue but the weight told on his fortunes as he weakened in the closing stages of the race. Amistad gained ground in the centre to finish second ahead of Evraz. Elite Model raced flat in the straight and eventually finished a poor fourth.

Jaggy Dhariwal trained Sovereign Rule had finished second in Golconda Derby in January and then ran a poor race in the Invitation Cup. He was given a long rest and he went into the 1400 metres S M Ramakrishna Rao Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 60 and above, as a favourite though he looked far from ready. Class was expected to carry him home which in the end was the reason why the half brother to the celebrated Saddle Up managed to pull through in a tight finish. Sovereign Rule took a long time to overhaul the front running Amazing Redd and he managed to do so inside the final 100 metres despite hanging in badly. There was frenetic activity closer home as Next Move came up with a big effort but fell short narrowly. Amazing Redd battled on to finish a close third ahead of Frenemee who too was at arm`s length.

Faraz Arshad trained Super Force had gone down fighting as a favourite in her last effort. Now backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1100 metres Pronto Pronto Plate, a race for maiden three year olds, Super Force shook off the front running Asian Star in the final furlong and quickly expanded the lead to over four lengths. Despite coming off from the rails, Asian Star managed to take the second place ahead of Dorsoduro.

Warren Singh trained Game Dancer had run a forward race in her last outing and the eight year old mare was strongly backed to win the 1200 metres Noble Prince Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. There was also big support for Starstruck but the five year old lost all his chances due to inept handling by apprentice Nassar Alam who failed to take a good position and in the straight left himself too much leeway to cover despite which the horse finished close fifth. Game Dancer successfully accomplished start to finish mission just about surviving the late rally of Spanish Fly along the rails and that of Catch The Eye, Active Grey and Starstruck. Cool Hand had no problem in treating the rivals with disdain in the lower division of the race winning easily from Sunday Cruz.

 
 
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