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Rochester storms home in F D Wadia Trophy
Review: By: Frankel
August 27 , 2017
   
   

Shiraz Sunderji trained Rochester beat an ordinary lot of three-year-olds to win the 1400 metres Gr 3 F D Wadia Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Sunday’s Pune races. Racing once again was unpredictable, with professionals making merry with their acts of omission, with the stipes and authorities turning a blind eye or finding excuses not to act. The focus of the authorities currently is not on racing but on the ensuing September elections where the existing committee members are seeking re-election with two new contestants. No dramatic changes are to be expected as the same people who have been at the helm for long will be back in the position of power.

The F D Wadia trophy generally used to attract the cream of three-year-olds who had classic credentials. However, none in the small field looked outstanding and appeared to be decent handicap performers. Kramer led the field followed by Glyndebourne while Summer Rays and Rochester found their place in the rear group. Kramer failed to quicken in the straight to enhance his chances and Glyndebourne too failed to find an extra gear. Rochester who circled around the field at the final bend accelerated well enough to sail past the battling duo in front to record a facile win. Summer Rays forced his passage through the inside of Glyndebourne to snatch the runner-up berth. Kramer weakened to finish fourth. None of these contestants could be identified as possible contenders for any classic.

 
   



The riding of Yash Narredu these days is coming for repeated scrutiny. The questionable rides have come only on favourites where the modus operandi is the same. Relax till the front-runner has gone beyond reach and then show aggression. After a poor ride on Frivolous which earned the jockey a few days suspension, the jockey showed no reformation. Once again, Yash was found wanting on favourite Take Five in the 1200 metres Su Chaliyo Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Take Five was heavily backed in her last run in Bangalore over a mile which was also the filly’s first run. She had finished fourth. Since she was taking on a poor lot of horses, she was expected to make the best of the experience she had. Unfortunately, the filly graced the wrong end of the field even as Bunting in front could skip clear. Yash showed a semblance of aggression rather too late in the day and the favourite devoured ground in the final furlong to lose only by a small margin. Whether the horse responded late or whether the jockey was guilty of not showing the same aggression is for the authorities to decide and for the jockey to explain. But what was sad was the fact that racing is increasingly losing its acceptance as a game of skill and these acts are bound to erode the confidence of the punters further whatever may be the justification for the poor run of the horse. Racing has indeed slipped inexorably in RWITC and racing no longer matches the exalted standards of the past.

Imtiaz Sait trained New England recorded his third straight win when the progeny of Arazan came home with a brilliant rally in the straight to edge past the battling Bottega Louie to win the 1400 metres Panchshil Million, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Bottega Louie smoothly shot ahead on turning for home but could not breathe easy as New England joined issue. After a brief duel, New England asserted his supremacy. Eternalinspiration ran on to finish third.

Mygrator was driven out by jockey Pradeep Chouhan to get the better of My Blessings in the closing stages of the race to land the spoils in the 1000 metres Dr P K Sardeshmukh Maharaj Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The odds on Mygrator drifted before race time but in the race, the speedy customer was focussed on the job though the task in the end proved to be not as easy as expected. Rock In Rio was third. Vishal Gaikwad trained Shamwari recorded an encore in the lower division race, swamping the opposition in the hands of apprentice jockey H Zeeshan. Shamwari was the strong favourite to win the race based on the quality of win recorded by the filly in her last run.

Shiraz Sunderji trained Ladislaus recorded an easy win in the 1200 metres Sea Ruler Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. The race turned out to be a one-sided affair as the expected challenge from Governor General and Allora failed to materialize. Ladislaus began to draw away from the rest from the top of the straight and was hailed a winner long way from home. Turf Dancer was second ahead of Governor General while Allora failed to show the spark of the last season.

Lesser fancied Aspen swiftly moved up approaching the final bend and took over the running inside the final 350 metres to win the 2400 metres War Command Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 with a great deal of ease. Koal ran second ahead of Ritz who held off Othello in the skirmish for minor placing.

Adhiraj Singh Jodha trained Comic Timing recorded an encore in fine fashion, taking control of the proceedings in the 1600 metres Dr K Vasudevan Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 from the jump out. Comic Timing comfortably held off the late challenge of Star of Harmony. Brabourne failed to gain ground in the final furlong and had to be satisfied with the third position.

Long shot Samurai raced prominently in front and produced that bit extra to stay clear of Harmony and Divine Angel to land the spoils in the 1600 metres Aurora Aurealis Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. There was spirited betting on Cristo Boss but the favourite could do no better than finish a tame fourth.

 
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