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There is no such thing as the guidance of the last run to determine the winners if one were to see the magical results that Pesi Shroff often gets. Horses that run way below expectations show out in different colours like Roberta who after a dismal performance in her last effort, came and won the Gr 1 Hindustan Times Palate Fest Indian Oaks, the third classic of the season run on Sunday at Mahalakshmi in taking style. It may be difficult to understand the form fluctuation but there is no better trainer than Pesi to pull the Rabbit out of the hat, to do something surprising and seemingly impossible, produce something in a way that there is no obvious explanation, as if one done by magic.
Roberta was hailed as a classic prospect after her smashing win during the Pune season. However, in her lead up race, she performed poorly, showing no urgency from the gates and eventually finishing a dismal second to stablemate Smasher. After that disastrous effort, it was difficult to expect Roberta to win in the manner she did. The Indian Oaks had an open look about in the absence of a strong contender in the race. New Creation who had won the South India Oaks in a modest timing and the well-bred Blue Bell who had won the Golconda Oaks were considered as horses capable of winning the race though there was a sneaking suspicion that Roberta could be seen in a different light in the Oaks. This is what transpired in the Oaks, with both New Creation and Blue Bell not sighted at the busy end. Roberta won the race from Eyes For You and Merlot.
Blue Bell who enjoyed a big hype was made the favourite with punters not giving up their hopes on Roberta who was the second favourite at nourishing odds. Leigh Roche who is the stable`s first jockey was on Blue Bell and Trevor was back to guide the fortunes of Roberta once again. In a slow run race, jockey David Allan took New Creation to the front followed by Princess Eliza in the second position with Roberta in the third position. Eyes For Your, Merlot, Exception were all spaced out behind while Blue Bell did what Roberta did last time and took a lethargic start.
Roberta was travelling so well that Trevor had no hesitation to let the second favourite take charge from New Creation who meekly surrendered when confronted with the challenge. Roberta broke clear in the straight and looked in command of the situation. Exception flattered to deceive. Eyes For You ran on strongly from behind to edge past Merlot to get the second position. With better handling, Eyes of You could run the winner very close. Blue Bell was in the fourth position about five lengths adrift of the winner.
The Usha Stud Farm which has bred record number of winners of the Indian Derby, virtually has a stranglehold on this race, with Roberta being the 16th winner for the stud farm. Trainer Pesi Shroff too has dominated this race, winning it for the fifth time in a row. He also went past the record of trainer Uttam Singh who had the saddled the highest number of winners in this race with a tally of seven.
The Gr 3 Gool S Poonawalla Million, a terms race for three-year-olds was widely believed to be between Pesi Shroff trained Arabesque and last start winner Dandi March. However, there was a different script as Tommaso who went on a start to finish mission, made a determined effort to stay put and very nearly succeeded. However, a charge from way off the pace saw first-timer Free Gold from Imtiaz Sit`s ward edge past the front-runner to get the nod close home. Dandi March who was sluggish at the start was third while Arabesque was a poor fourth.
Gazino`s best performance had always come over six furlongs. After a forward run over five furlongs, Gazino was back over his pet distance of six furlongs in the P D Avasia Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Shiraz Sunderji trained Kilkarry Bridge who was bidding for a hat-trick was the strong favourite to maintain his winning run. Mysore challenger Master of Universe led the field with Kilkarry Bridge in the second position ahead of Gazino. Inside the final furlong, Gazino got the measure of the front-runners and stormed ahead. The only one to show up from way behind was Excellent Gold who made a late rally to snatch the runner-up berth from Kilkarry Bridge. Queen Credible as is her wont, came late on the scene to end up in the fourth position.
Jockey Leigh Roche drove out Valegro to measure Tanjo close home in the 1400 metres R R Byramji Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Tanjo took over the running midway through the stretch and had a useful lead going into the final furlong. However, Valegro who had some lengths to cover on the front-runner responded to the urgings of the jockey and got the better of the long shot in the waning yards of the race. Mozart who was running after a long lay off led the field from the start before weakening to finish third.
Dallas Todywalla trained Flaming Martini recorded an encore in the 1200 metres Tricumdas Goculdas Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Jockey David Allan had Flaming Martini in a handy position before driving out vigorously in the stretch to stay beyond the reach of Perpetual Warning who warmed up to the task rather late and ended up finishing second best. Shae held off longtime leader Mount Olympus to save place money.
Nazak Chenoy trained Pleiades was backed strongly to win the 1400 metres Academic Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 4 to 30. Medici had better race credentials than Pleiades. These two horses were seen in right earnest. Medici produced a strong gallop in the final furlong to overhaul Pleiades to record a handsome win. Navigator was many lengths behind in the third position. C Rajendra trained Bakhtawar proved too good in the lower division of the race, leaving the field stranded in the final furlong to win with a great deal of ease from Allegria, the lower division of the race. Deccan King pipped Grand Eyes to save place money.
Deepesh Narredu trained Kingsman recorded an encore with a minimum of fuss in the 1600 metres Yawar Rashid Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Trevor Patel brought Kingsman with a smooth run in the stretch to overhaul the front-running Classicus in the final furlong. The favourite bounced clear and won comfortably from Classicus who stayed on to take the second position ahead of Nobleman.
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Bakhtawar (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Academic Trophy (Div-II)
Kingsman (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Yawar Rashid Trophy
Valegro (Leigh Roche up) winner of the R R Byramji Trophy
Free Gold (Robbie Downey up) winner of the Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3)
Gazino (P S Chouhan up) winner of the P D Avasia Trophy
Roberta (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Hindustan Times Palate Fest Indian Oaks (Gr.1)
Flaming Martini (David Allan up) winner of the Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy
Medici (C S Jodha up) winner of the Academic Trophy (Div-I)
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