As soon as the
starter’s flag came down Petronella rocketed into the lead with C.
Alford in the saddle and everything was going according to the script
till the last furlong or so. Having established what appeared to be a
commanding lead and Petronella’s prospects didn’t seem bad as the
winning post came within kissing distance. But the bay filly’s energy
was sapped and her legs refused to carry her to the wire.
Meanwhile Giacosa, who had performed a shade below par in the PBMM, made
steady progress and when Malesh Narredu, who booted home a grand treble,
got a whiff of the on-money favourite’s predicament, his eyes lit up on
seeing the opportunity that beckoned him. He powered the Placerville
progeny, foaled at Nanoli Stud Farms out of another Irish mare Puzla,
and wore down Petronella in the last few strides.
Star Distinction finished on with a rattle after a lethargic beginning
but could only beat Escravos for the third place. Chagall and Dynasty
also finished close and a mere two lengths separated the first six
horses. This close verdict, in fact, encourages one to believe that
Petronella will rise like a phoenix when she starts her second innings.
As far as the Vinayak trained Giacosa’s victorious performance is
concerned, it must be said that she made a stylish comeback after
letting down her connections in the PBMM.
Racegoers were privileged to witness a couple of other good finishes
during the day. The first one was in the April Blossom Plate where Bezan
Chenoy trained Helmsdale (Royal Kingdom – Housewarming), after her
saddle-partner Malcolm Kharadi settled her in the mid-bunch over the
scurry, came with a incisive run through the shortest way home to
surprise outsider Baryshnikhov, who was followed by The Rebel and
Emerging Power. The rest also ended in close order. Favourite Demolisher
flopped after going straight down to business at the start and raising
hopes of an imminent win which faded away fast as the destination
arrived. Mustang Sally, Letsgetloud and Virginia Woolf were the best
among the beaten brigade.
The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy was claimed by Star Strike (Greensmith
– Sunflowers) in a breath-taking finish as Malesh extracted just that
extra bit of effort from the Arti Doctor saddled colt to thwart the
spirited challenge thrown by C. Ruzaan piloted Sea Spray. Thundering
Star flashed late on the scene to take the third place ahead of Exotic
Fantasy, who followed the footsteps of her stablemate Demolisher as far
as her start-to-finish bid was concerned. Favourite Armament refused to
accelerate when Alford hit the pedal and ended close on the haunches of
Exotic Fantasy.
The Bezan-Malcolm combine was involved in one more winning feat which
helped Hazelhead (Glory of Dancer – Comfort Zone) graduate in the
Satinello Trophy. The filly came with a flourish in the straight to
knock off Colonel Cool’s attempt to hit the wire first.
SomethingAboutHer raced thereabouts and finished third with Acceptance
completing the frame after a hard toil.
Trainer Bharath Singh finally managed to squeeze out a winning
performance from Golden Flowers (Greensmith – Kafiyah), who in turn
boosted rookie Dashrath Singh’s winning tally. The young lad had steered
the Nina Lalwani nursed rank outsider Éclair Blanche (Duja – Dauphine)
to a comfortable win over Realism in the curtain-raiser.
Robert D’Mellow trained Makramah (Placerville – Lunch) immediately
stunned the fancied duo Premier Star and Royal Hunt after rider I.
Shaikh spurred him to go clear of the field in the home stretch and won
convincingly from barnmate Charlie Parker.
Pesi Shroff nurtured Asiatique (Burden of Proof – Asian Lady) relished
the extended trip of the Brijendra Plate and finally got the sweet taste
of success. Malesh kept the chestnut colt in touch with the leaders till
the last bend and then drew away for an authoritative win over Happy
Queen and Scarsdale.
With Take On playing truant on jumping out from the gates and Golden
Fort unable to raise a “fluent” gallop, Dr Anil Kumar nursed Second To
Go (Cruachan – Southern Princess) seized the chance to record her second
win after migrating to her new home. The mare ridden by R. Rupesh took
charge in the straight and won untroubled thereafter.
