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The growing confidence of apprentice jockey Kaviraj was revealed in the way he guided lesser fancied Forest Fairy to a resolute win in the 1400 metres Maharaja Sir Pratapsingh Gaekwad Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the main event of Friday`s evening races. Favourite Masterofbalantrae who had an outside draw never gave hopes and was a beaten cause in the straight failing to display any zest in his performance.
Masterofbalantrae who had ended the Pune season with a victory was widely hailed as the one with the best possible chance to win the race. Jockey Leigh Roche who drew a blank could not maneuverer the favourite into a favourable position on the inside, travelled wide and the five-year-old did not give any hope. Star Councillor led aggressively and was ahead of the pack deep into the straight. Kaviraj brought Forest Fairy with a well-timed run on the inside down the final furlong and though the filly faced a strong challenge from Turning Point, the apprentice held his never and drove out the progeny of Arazan to victory. Texas Gold showed slight improvement while finishing third.
Aurora Australis had twice won and placed second in her next outing at Pune and was widely trusted to bounce back. Aurora Australis was made the favourite to win the 1200 metres Conrad Pereira Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The danger of backing such horses which had shown a distinct preference to the Pune track and had a jockey who is known for any consistency became clear when the favourite was not in the hunt form the word `go`. Dallas Todywalla trained Philadelphia who travelled on the bridle into the final furlong, drew clear thereafter to record an easy win over Dusky Siren, Adelle and Adams Beginning who disputed for minor placings and finished in the order mentioned behind the winner.
The flop of the day was Pesi Shroff-trained Roberta who was hailed as a possible Oaks contender. Roberta was quoted at very cramped odds to succeed in the 2000 metres Clinton Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Roberta did not raise a gallop at the jump out and trailed the field. It was clear that the filly was not in a mood as she showed no inclination for the task on hand. Stablemate Smasher who took over the running midway through the race drew clear in the straight and expanded the lead to over nine lengths while crossing the post. Roberta was a long way behind in the second position. Jager Bomb was third. Admo who tried to pace in front, tired out to finish last.
M K Jadhav trained Tommaso who had the benefit of a race run, had it easy in the 1000 metres Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart) Trophy, a race for maiden two-year-olds. Tommaso led from the start and Sandesh had no problem in steering the fancied runner to an easy win. Ms Boss gave a chase and was second best ahead of Copper Queen who ran on strongly towards the close to occupy the third position.
Noshir Cama trained Emotionless who had been given an airing last time out, was seen in a different light in the 1600 metres Polish Patriot Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Emotionless came into strong contention inside the final 200 metres and had no problem in tackling the challenge of Astral Flare with a measure of comfort. Wilshire was third.
Shiraz Sunderji trained Kilkarry Bridge was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Set Alight Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Jodha who is back after a month-long suspension had no problem in steering the favourite to an easy win. Larraine headed Miss Moneypenny to get the runner-up berth.
Apprentice jockey A S Peter drove out Zadmal Singh trained Allegria to an easy win in the 1400 metres White Metal Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Eiger`s Tiger was reckoned to have better credentials, but the favourite was not spotted at the busy end. Allegria came into prominence with a furlong left in the race and stormed ahead of Saffron Flower and Samurai to record an easy victory.
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Smasher (Akshay up) winner of the Clinton Plate
Emotionless (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Polish Patriot Plate
Tommaso (A Sandesh up) winner of the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart) Trophy
Kilkarry Bridge (C S Jodha up) winner of the Set Alight Plate
Allegria (A S Peter up) winner of the White Metal Plate
Forest Fairy (P S Kaviraj up) winner of the Maharaja Sir Pratapsingh Gaekwad Trophy
Philadelphia (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Conrad Pereira Trophy
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