SANA LOOKED THE PART WINNING THE IDAR GOLD TROPHY, GR.3

The Kolkata challenger, the Bharath Singh trained Sana (Multidimensional-Yana) was well prepared in Bangalore, having come third to Dancing Dragon and Lady In Lace in the Maharaja’s Gold Cup over 11f and then second to Desert God in the Bangalore St Leger. With a keen eye on the last of the Indian Classics to be run this year, the Indian St Leger, Gr.1 she won her prep race the Idar Gold Cup, Gr.3 run over the mile and a half. While she looked the part in the paddock, it was her first outing on the Pune track, and knowing how treacherous that can be she made good with a late flourish to win by a nose from Vulcan in 2:35.04secs. Vulcan, in a start to finish mission took the lead, Winter Renaissance in close touch, Selfie Star one of the fence, the favourite fighting for her head in fourth and Caprisca content last of five. Midway through the race, the pace slowed and Selfie Star still one of the fence started to gain on the leader. Jockey Srinath moved Sana alongside Winter Renaissance who was already under pressure before the turn for home. As they turned into the straight, Selfie Star got into striking mode while the favourite was being pushed.

Vulcan refused to relinquish the lead and fought back on the rails, with Selfie Star alongside. It all changed in a flash, when Sana found that sudden power to steer into the lead at the important end winning by a nose from Vulcan with Selfie Star ¾ length away in third. Disappointingly, Caprisca wasn’t in the race for most of it and finished last of five.
While this race will work well in preparation for the Classic to be run over 2800m Sana will have to face new challengers as well. Bangalore challenger Dancing Dragon who is in town for the race has already beaten Sana by 9¾ lengths over the mile and by 2½lengths over 11f in Bangalore.