| |
Vinesh trained Jack Frost bounced back to win after a gap of nearly one year when he recorded a smashing win in the Gr 2 1800 metres Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds and over, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races. Jack Frost wins at least one race a year and the seven-year-old has always proved a handy customer whenever he is spot on for the job.
Imtiaz Sait trained Caprisca had imposing credentials to be the favourite as he was also the form horse. Stablemate Raees and Vulcan were the others in betting consideration at higher odds. There was a hint of Jack Frost`s chances in the race when his odds stood steady at seven to one. But very few had reckoned that Caprisca would capsize in the manner he did.
Raees did the customary front-running with Caprisca running a handy second ahead of Jack Frost, Vulcan and Phoenix Tiger. The last named who was once a rousing performer had been troubled by many physical niggles and as such, he was making an appearance after running in the early part of the last Mumbai racing season. Raees held the lead deep into the straight with Caprisca unable to make an impression. Inside the final furlong, Jack Frost essayed a strong challenge in the hands of jockey Neeraj Rawal who came in as a replacement for jockey Sandesh and pounced on the battling duo in front and sailed away in the end to record an emphatic win. Vulcan nosed out Raees from the runner-up berth while Caprisca was a poor fourth.
Faisal Abbas trained Clymene was smooth as silk when winning the 1000 metres Madras Race Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. The speedy Wild Fire set a scorching pace, expending her energy in front. Jockey Dashrath Singh had Clymene racing a handy second with Glyndebourne, Congressional and St Andrews spaced out behind. Inside the final furlong, it was clear that Clymene was going to trounce the opposition as he cruised past the front-runner on the bridge and was travelling so well that her jockey could repeatedly look back to see if anyone from behind looked menacing. St Andrews who found spaces along the inside moved briskly to take the second position ahead of Wise Child. Glyndebourne who was surprisingly made the favourite was a poor fourth.
Noshir Cama trained Bronx who had gone fighting to Sacred Roman made amends in the 1600 metres Ghulam Essaji Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, Bronx raced in about the fourth position as Augustus Caesar set the pace. Bronx made his move well into the straight and the progeny of China Visit easily overhauled the front-runner to record an easy win. Relentless Pursuit was third while Till End of Time was a disappointing fourth.
Shiraz Sunderji trained Notting Hall came in for big betting to win the 1400 metres Maseeha Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The betting was sustained as at every quote, the horse was being backed with renewed vigour. Close to race time, Fleur De Lys also received noticeable support. Pradeep Chouhan had Fleur De Lys dictate the pace in front while Notting Hill was the in the rear bunch. In the stretch, Notting Hill had to be ridden out to get the better of Fleur De Lys. Aquarius was third.
Rehanullah Khan trained Highland Empress had everything going in her favour in the 1000 metres Municipal Commissioner`s Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The three-year-old filly had the form as also a modest opposition to tackle. Pradeep Chouhan who had a treble for the day brought Highland Empress into contention in the final furlong and the progeny of Excellent Art easily overhauled Fundamental Right to record a win by a margin of four lengths. The long-time leader Lambretta was a neck behind the runner-up. Fundamental Right was running after 349 days.
The 1200 metres Spinoza Plate (Div I), had an intriguing look about it with half a dozen horses having an equal chance of pulling it off. The odds reflected this perception. In the end, it was one of the well-backed horses Royston Rock who managed to pull off a last stride win over Golden Horde. Royal Ace necked out Make It Shine to get the third place. Imtiaz Sait trained Rare Silver was driven out to contain the challenge of Smoky Haze in the lower division of the race. Rare Silver lacked early speed and had to be continuously coaxed by jockey C S Jodha to stay in touch with the front runners with Isinit setting the pace. Down the final furlong, Smoky Haze along the rails shot ahead but was caught up with and overhauled in the closing strides of the race by Rare Silver who produced a strong effort after warming up to the task.
*******************
Rare Silver (C S Jodha up) winner of the SPINOZA PLATE (DIV-II)
Bronx (P S Chouhan up) winner of the GULAMHUSEIN ESSAJI TROPHY
Clymene (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the MADRAS RACE CLUB TROPHY
Jack Frost (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the MAHARAJA JIWAJIRAO SCINDIA TROPHY (GR.2)
Highland Empress (P S Chouhan up) winner of the MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER`S CUP
Notting Hill (C S Jodha up) winner of the MASEEHA PLATE
Royston Rock (N B Kuldeep up) winner of the SPINOZA PLATE (DIV-I)
|
|
Top
