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Faisal Abbas trained Abbey who had produced some run-of-the-mill efforts in the recent past, produced the spark of old when resolutely staving off the late flourish of Mygrator and the fighting Anacapri to land the spoils in a nail-biting finish in the 1200 metres Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of evening races held at Mumbai. The final stride of the race decided that the front-runner had indeed held on by a whisker.
The race had an open look about it with barring Super Sunshine, the rest having a fighting chance. Anacapri, Goldie`s Pet and Excellent Gold who were coming on the back of impressive wins, were preferred more in the betting ring. There was also support for Mygrator who had failed in the Guineas and now running in a handicap race. Abbey had run second last time out but very few reckoned that he could beat this lot. It was indeed a confusing scenario.
Suraj Narredu took Abbey on a start to finish mission with Anacapri, Goldie`s Pet, Excellent Gold, Mygrator in close proximity while Super Sunshine lost all his chances by refusing to come out the gates. Abbey pressed on gamely in the final furlong where the six-year-old mare was under intense pressure from the other opponents. Anacapri came close to toppling the front-runner while Excellent Gold improved strongly on the wide outside to be in touch with the battling horses in front. Mygrator who was slightly hemmed up was switched out and flew in the final yards of the race only to miss by a whisker. Anacapri was third a nose behind the runner-up. Excellent Gold was a close fourth ½ a length behind the third-placed horse. Congressional and Goldie`s Spot finished behind those on the frame but not far from them. Pradeep Chouhan who rode Mygrator put in an optimistic appeal to reverse the verdict in the Stewards room, but his objection had no substance and was put more in hope that he could convince the Stewards to give a wrong decision.
Chouhan drove out relentlessly the fancied Drogo from trainer Imtiaz Sait`s yard and the progeny of Rebuttal managed to overhaul the front-running Mount Mckinley who was battling on stubbornly in front with a start to finish mission in the 1600 metres Isn`t She Special Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Carnival rallied along the rails but fell short. She reportedly burst her blood vessels. Bunting stayed in touch with the front-runner in the second position before dropping back at the final bend to finish a dismal last. Jockey Sandesh has been going through a torrid time with horses not going right for him affecting his confidence as well.
Chouhan had a double for the day though he had to work much less on last start winner Tanjo who despite veering out, had enough power to stay clear of Celestial Light in the 1400 metres Academic Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Counsellor who came in for fair support in the ring was not well positioned to be in contention and his late bid helped him get the third place. The lower division of the race looked like a minefield as the surface form was not of much help. In the event, long shot Ran Dance who showed up in the final furlong won quite capably from fancied Massimo who made a strong rally along the rails. My Precious edged out Star Aligned from the third place. The latter flattered to deceive with a powerful run on the wide outside.
Rajendra trained Priceless Girl had the benefit of a good forward run and that effort put her in strong contention for the 1000 metres Maple Star Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Apprentice jockey Ayyar took Priceless Girl to the front from the word `go` and the progeny of Noverre had a big lead from the start which ensured that she would finish well clear of Ame and heavily backed favourite Walk On By who was lacking in aggression right from the start.
Shiraz Sunderji trained Ascension had enough speed to take command of the situation in the 1000 metres Marchetta Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 and was not troubled by any of the contestants. Glorious Land finished on well to edge out Flamboyant Flame and Fringe Benefit to get the runner-up berth. Favourite Locarno was never in with a chance as the spark was missing. A Jodha trained Speedo swept the others off their feet with a successful start to finish mission in the lower division of the race. Favourite Malavika failed to make a mark while finishing a tame second ahead of Abraxas.
Suraj Narredu drove out Lady Be Good to get the better of Happy Birthday to land the spoils at lucrative odds in the 1800 metres Smashing Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Happy Birthday shaped to complete a hat-trick of wins when he had a useful lead going into the final furlong. However, the front-runner slackened in sight of the winning past and was overhauled by Lady Be Good who finished with a rush. Favourite Adonijah took ran on strongly towards the finish but narrowly failed to snatch the runner-up berth from Happy Birthday.
N Lagad trained Mount Olympus was backed to the exclusion of the rest to make a winning debut in the 1200 metre Singapore Turf Club Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds and the expectation was well placed. The speedy son of Won Legend led from the start and had no hiccups en route to a comfortable win over Iron Age. Medici was faraway third.
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Drogo (P S Chouhan up) winner of the Isn`T She Special Plate
Speedo (D R Shubham up) winner of the Maple Star Plate (Div-II)
Mount Olympus (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Singapore Turf Club Trophy
Lady Be Good (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Smashing Plate
Ascension (C S Jodha up) winner of the Marchetta Plate
Abbey (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy
Tanjo (P S Chouhan up) winner of the Academic Plate (Div-I)
Pricelessgirl (M Ayyar up) winner of the Maple Star Plate (Div-I)
Rain Dance (D S Daman up) winner of the Academic Plate (Div-II)
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