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Serjeant At Arms rules in Indian 2000 Guineas

By: Frankel   December 18 , 2016
   

Suleiman Attollahi trained Serjeant At Arms was a giant among pygmies as he scythed the opposition in the Gr 1 Panchshil Indian 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season, at Mahalaxmi on Sunday. The Bangalore challenger who is a multi-classic winner, toyed with the opposition treating them with disdain to seal the race long way from home. The fact that the inexperienced Lucas and St Andrews occupied the next two slots on the frame clearly highlighted the lack of depth in the opposition.

Serjeant At Arms had proved that he was invincible over trips up to a mile. His only defeat in his illustrious career had come about in the Mysore Derby where over the extended trip of mile and quarter, Ice Glacier sorted him out in a truly run race which had seen the winner eclipse the existing track record. The fact that Serjeant At Arms enjoyed the tag of being the best three-year-old in the country at least over a mile was not disputed. His showing in the Guineas further confirmed the fact that he has few peers in the country over this trip where he is bound to remain unbeaten. However, the more ambitious campaign in the Indian Derby may sort him out more because of the grueling trip than because of any shortcoming in class.
  
  


The local horses had done nothing of note thus far and as such, it was hard to visualize Serjeant At Arms suffering any reverse. Jockey Sandesh did not think twice to take over the running immediately on straightening without waiting to make his run. The progeny of Ikhtyar then bounced clear to establish an unbridgeable lead over the rest. Though Sandesh used the whip to keep him going in the end, Serjeant At Arms was in no danger of being overhauled least of all by the less exalted opponents. Lucas who raced up with the pace occupied the second slot while St Andrews moved up strongly from the rear to take the third place ahead of Supreme General who failed to sustain his run despite being ideally positioned. The winner clocked a time of one minute 36.49 seconds. This was the first Indian classic success for the Bangalore-based trainer Suleiman who has enjoyed great success with the winner having won the Kingfisher Ultra Derby in July. The Dhunjibhoys who own the horse in partnership besides having bred this champion colt at the Nanoli Stud Farm, had a great day, leading in four winners during the day`s action.

Hoshidar Daji trained Critics Choice had recorded a smashing win last time out. Though the terms of the race did not suit him greatly as he had been comprehensively beaten on similar terms at Pune by Dancing Prances, the fact that his current form, more physical maturity and the benefit of race run were bound to tilt the race in his favour. Besides that, Dancing Prances is on the decline as evidenced by the defeat he suffered to Gold Berg at Pune on the Derby day. However, Dancing Prances continued to enjoy favouritism as the veteran had always been a game fighter. Holy Smoke who was making an appearance after a longish break, led the field from the start with Critics Choice and Dancing Prances settled in about the fourth or fifth position. Holy Smoke was not inclined to give up easily in the straight and it took a strong effort on the part of Critics Choice to get the better of the front-runner. Congressional too finished on powerfully to snatch the runner-up berth from Holy Smoke by a neck. The last named should be expected to score on the strength of this performance. Dancing Prances was a tame fourth, unable to produce the patented acceleration at the critical point of the race.

The 1200 metres Allah Rakhkha Gold Trophy, a race for maiden two-year-olds went the way of Dallas Todywalla trained Ruffina. The trainer has always been known to strike early with his first season runners. Ruffina showed out in the paddock parade, raced like a well-prepared horse and had a commanding lead going into the final furlong. Raiden who was also backed to make a winning debut, ran green though he showed intent with a good effort in the straight but lacked the sharpness of the winner. However, he nosed out Admo to get the runner-up berth.

Sanjay Kolse trained Allora hadn`t got the luck of the race last time out and her jockey Zervan had also dropped the whip at a crucial stage of the race. Now backed strongly to make amends, Allora was taken on a start to finish mission by jockey Trevor and the favourite just about lasted out to win from Ancient Glory who packed punch with a powerful finish in the 1200 metres P M Rungta Golden Sprint Stakes, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Ancient Glory took a while to pick up the momentum and by the time apprentice jockey Zeeshan could get him going, Allora had a useful lead and this held the favourite in good stead as he pulled it off by a whisker. Nature Boy held off the late finishing Flashy Wings by a nose to take the third position.

Vishal Gaekwad trained Renee faced no perceptible threat from the opposition as the five-year-old mare led all the way and comfortably kept the challenge of Rule Downunder at bay to win the 1400 metres Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. The Champ who was expected to make things hot for the favourite, did not show any spark and was a beaten cause as the winner was always going comfortably in front with a good margin of leeway.

Pesi Shroff trained Arlene recorded the third straight win of her career when she led all the way and kept expanding the lead in the straight to win the 2000 metres Nawabzada Rashiduzzafar Khan Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Arlene did not face any realistic threat from the opposition which had a beaten look as she checked in by a widening margin of eight lengths over Highland Breeze. Caesar`s Star was a long way in third position.

Another well-bred three-year-old from Shroff`s stable, Geranium won the 1600 metres Gulamhussein Essaji Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, without encountering any resistance. Geranium had control of the race from the start and was not tested by any of the runners. For the record, Trombone managed to stave off Simon Says for the runner-up berth.

 
 
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