DANDI MARCH WALTZES TO VICTORY IN THE USHA STUD MILLION

Dandi March striding away to victory in the Usha Stud Million

In the first start of his career the S K Sunderji-trained Dandi March (Chevalier-Salt) was well beaten by Royal Crystal by seven lengths and the winner had announced rather loudly that he was one of the top juveniles on the scene, and talk was doing the rounds that the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million looked like it was his for the asking. It lasted for a short while only, for as favourite in the Usha Stud Million run over 6f, he was unable to maintain his form.

Mon General fly jumped out of the gates while Across The Sea took the lead from Arabesque neatly poised in second, as Dandi March didn’t appear to be quite settled on the rails. They were followed by Royal Crystal, then Galloping Goldmine with Ex’s And Oh’s on the rails. Astounding Bay and Mon General were the back markers. Across The Sea was niggled as he led the field into the straight followed by Arabesque who was still on cruise control. Dandi March was in full throttle as he came alongside Arabesque, while Royal Crystal was being pushed to make his challenge, which was not forthcoming. From then on it was a two horse fight to the finish, C S Jodha on Dandi March forging ahead with every stride, and Leigh Roche refusing to give up without a fight. Arabesque who won on debut over 5f could not match the finishing strides of Dandi March who went on to win by a margin of 1½ lengths. Royal Crystal who will have to rekindle much of the earlier spark, came in third 3 ¾ lengths away with the winning trainer’s second runner Galloping Goldmine 2½ lengths away in fourth. 

Kolkata-based owner, Mr Vikram Bachhawat must have been truly excited with this victory as he has in recent times decided to race a few horses in Western India and this was justification that his decision was a good one.