Oath scripts a grand upset

PUNE

DELHI BASED Oath, who came to Pune from Bangalore, took the racing public by storm while scoring a pillar to post victory in the Chief Of Kagal Trophy last Sunday. Rajinder was astride the winner.

Since Oath's form did not impress much he was given scant respect during the paddock parade. But this Wattlefield gelding shattered the hopes of those who backed Machrihanish and Crowning Moment. Oath lengthened strides as the race took a serious turn, when a semblance of challenge came from Machrihanish about 400m from home but that hardly stopped the Imtiaz Sait ward from winning.

Machrihanish's gallant effort despite a big difference in weight should not go unconsidered when this filly takes the course next time.

Considering Crowning Moment's present handicap and last run compared to his clashes with Machrihanish at Mumbai, it was on the cards that this Tecorno gelding might do the trick, but he could only finish third. ``Crowning Moment though was racing with front runners could not topple them when I reminded him of the task ahead. I feel that he should be exploited over 1400m in future,'' said jockey M. A. Gallagher.

Rajeev Pandey who rode Reaching Out to a comfortable win was ecstatic at having won a race after a gap of one year. His last winner was Sea Minstrael during the Pune 2000 season.

The Gladiator ran the best race today and he could not have beaten Reaching Out. I think he may win a race in poor company,'' said Gallagher.

The in-form Heaven Sent under Daniel Bast lived up to his promise while winning the fifth race in a decisive manner. The Silken Thomas' last minute rattle should profit him in future. Conflagration was slowly off. C. Rajendra attempted to make up the leeway but failed. R. Rupesh's all out efforts on Asprilla could get only the fourth position. She seems to be unreliable.

Though Aphaia had a feel of the track in Starsky's race, she is known for her gate aversion. Once in her stall, then there is no question as to how and when she would tackle her opposition. Aphaia's excellent track performances had clearly displayed that this daughter of Simply Great had better class than her rivals. To beat Aphaia was an herculean task for her rivals. She made a mockery of them by claiming the race a long way from home. She should be backed till beaten.

The discernible Zameer Sayyed's saddle action on Bud Royale could not escape the probing eyes of the Stipes and his suspension for one race day was no surprise at all.

Mandeep Mann's strong handling helped him gain a win through the unfancied Rhythm Divine in the first race. C. Rajendra stepped in for an indisposed M. Narredu on Winning Melody. Winning Melody's onslaught did look threatening but the winning post came to the winner's rescue. Bold Decision though was looking fit in the paddock parade refused to offer any challenge and ran off the board. This run should profit him next time out.

Nirmal Jodha, an apprentice jockey, who started his racing career only this season piloted his first winner through Millennium Star.

Reflecting was expected to have a smooth sailing in the seventh race. But Altazano's powerful surge somewhat threatened the ardent followers of B. Prakash. Sensing the danger ahead, B. Prakash without wasting a second on Reflecting, stepped up the speed to get the better of Altazano. Reflecting edged out Altazano in a photo finish. Altazano should deem himself rather unlucky to have had someone like Reflecting crossing his path. Noble One should be noted in future.

The concluding event saw the well supported Vengeance give apprentice Nirmal Jodha his second victory. Smokey Joe's gamble went haywire as the gelding slightly veered out in the straight and could place only second. He should be earmarked for an early win.

As favourites failed in all the races, punters burnt their fingers in the meeting held on Aug. 11.

Battle Star, a well bred filly, was pitted against such a poor lot that her success was taken for granted. But in racing there is no certainty and Battle Star was no exception. All the seven were ready to race but when the start was effected, Battle Star became unruly and reared up losing about 8 to 10 lengths. With Battle Star now out of the race, it was anybody's race. Dhanasri who went into the lead was never headed by any rival.

Amyn Merchant's judicious riding on Speedster, despite the seventh position at the bend, enabled him to extract the final burst to hoist the winning flag in the first race. Instant Alliance showed lot of improvement but failed to ward off the winner's challenge at the wire. This Cruachan gelding should not be ignored in his next outing. Tulsa Time was seen racing prominently till the bend but veered out suddenly due to the inept handling of apprentice Abhishek Habbu and placed fourth.

Top'M All who hails from trainer Faisal A. Abbas' yard was decidedly up against her rivals and she quickly asserted herself in the hands of R. Shelar. Park Royal despite looking gross called the shots till the last 50m to be second by half a length. He will be a transformed individual next time.

The joint favourites Elegant Jade and Mille Fiori were fighting tooth and nail towards the close but the Placerville filly quickened well in sight of the winning post. Elegant Jade should strip fitter in her next engagement. Thunderlite had big support in the betting ring, but this Steinbeck filly was no match to her rivals. Quick Decision's fourth will be compensated in his next attempt in lower class.

Catchmeifyoucan's slide in class was the main reason to attract money, despite the fact that she was drawn on the outside (number 16). Catchmeifyoucan's front running under B.Prakash did not cause worry to her supporters till the distance post. But her attempt to score from the front was dashed by Teaser, a six year old son of Portroe, under Amyn Merchant. Amyn thus notched up a double. The top weight and lack of exposure before this contest was largely responsible for Catchmeifyoucan's defeat. She should be persisted with.

Trainer S. S. Shah's systematic preparation and decision to give a mock race to Kraft enabled him to have a kill in the Mayor's Trophy over 1800m. Kraft's (C. Rajendra astride) start to finish mission would fizzle out was the general feeling but when the race took a keener shape, Kraft did not show any sign of giving up, on the contrary, he kept on kicking to upset Anxious Moments, who was clashing with his rivals without a lung opener. Valencia's chances were considered rosy on her previous second. But she ran below expectations. ``We were under the impression that Valencia would be a different proposition over a longer trip but our expectations were belied. Her ideal trip would be 1400m'', said trainer S.K.Sunderji.

Sea Minstrael was most unlucky to have been pipped at the post by Cryptonite, who has taken an affinity for Pramod Belose. ``Queenstown is not a reliable type. She did not respond to my urgings and was among the beaten brigade at the bend itself'' said jockey M. Narredu.

Lesser fancied Boldwin's aptitude for staying found a brilliant expression in the last race when this Raza Ali trained filly made every post a winning one.

RAM D. ZODGE

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