WORTHY CHAMPIONS CROWNED ON INVITATION CUP WEEKEND
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- 10 March 2019
As always, Invitation Cup weekend, the last major racing event on the Indian racing calendar, proves to be as challenging and exciting as ever. Take a breadth now, till the Bangalore summer season commences, when the search for new champions start.
THE SPRINTER’S CUP, GR.1
The champion sprinter in the country was out to defend her title, having won this race in Kolkata last year. She had a slight set back, and missed running her prep race the Dr S C Jain Sprinters Championship, and in doing so sent waves of hope amongst her opposition, that maybe she was not as fit as she should be. The Dallas Todywalla-trained Ruffina (Excellent Art-Miss Danehill) ushered in disappointment as soon as she stepped into the paddock, looking and feeling better than ever, which was soon transcribed when she won her race with ease. Without her usual saddle partner David Allan, and jockey Sandesh taking the reins in his hands, it took all of 1:10.17 seconds to prove what a champion she is.
With St Andrews suffering a colic days before the race he had to be withdrawn, reducing the field to 12 runners. Clymene and Star Baron took over the running with Ruffina settled in mid bunch, Mauritania next with Tutankhamun racing alongside Ruffina. Half way into the home stretch, Ruffina began her effort and she cruised past Mauritania, Star Baron and Clymene taking over the lead without a crack of the whalebone. When she had taken a 3½ lead over the field she was eased up. Mauritania kept going to finish second 2 lengths behind the winner, Tutankhamun who had his sights set on Ruffina throughout the race a neck away in third, with Accolade in fourth.
The property of Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, Mr Adar C Poonawalla, Mrs Natasha A Poonawalla, M/s Saleem Fazelbhoy, Dinsha P Shroff & Munchi P Shroff has had a brilliant career winning 13 of her 15 starts which includes nine Group races, with career earnings of Rs 2,09,64,750. Her list of achievements includes three Group 1 races; one Group 2 race and five Group 3 races. She received a tearful farewell as she was dropped off to stud to keep her date with Roderic O’Conner.
THE DR M A M RAMASWAMY STAYERS’ CUP, GR.1
The 4yo, Sacred Roman (Holy Roman Emperor-Clicquot) from the yard of Pesi Shroff could stay well, and he proved it by leading the way in this test of stamina, dictating the pace, to claim the race by four lengths from Raees.
As Sacred Roman was taken into the lead in this 14 horse field, Watchmyscript was kept in last, with Raees ridden off the pace. As they hit the rising ground Kambaku swung into the lead from Sacred Roman, Nanhipari in third, with the field stretching out alarmingly, over 20 lengths between the first and last, the back marker remaining in that position, possibly unaware of the extent of the advantage that the leaders had. The pace quickened as they came in sight of the home turn. 400m form home Kambaku kept kicking, Sacred Roman had taken a good breather and got back with a strong challenge, Nanhipari was in third with Raees now making a strong move. It was all over when Sacred Roman got into the lead and extended his winning margin to four lengths over Raees who got his neck ahead of Kambaku. Watchmyscript was never in the race finishing ninth. Timing for the race was 3:13.36secs.
Owners Mr & Mrs Cyrus Palia have much to look forward to as Sacred Roman, who has won three of his seven starts with career earnings of Rs 49,93,211 will set his sights on the Indian St Leger to be run later this year.
THE MAJOR P K MEHRA MEMORIAL SUPER MILE, GR.1
It was evident that Champion miler Serjeant At Arms (Ikhtyar-Rahy’s Serenade) needed the race on Indian soil to shake of the rustiness, for he put up a performance that we had grown accustomed to before he was sent overseas. The S S Attaollahi-trained Serjeant At Arms looked paddock perfect and ran a gallant race to win by 4½ lengths from local challenger Rikki Tikki Tavi, winning this race for the second time, having won it in 2017.
The field of twelve took off to a flying start, with Rikki Tikki Tavi soon being overtaken by Isn’t She Lovely, while Pablito and Serjeant At Arms raced behind. The pace was good and the formation remained the same with New England moving into fifth. As they took the turn for home Isn’t She Lovely pushed forward with Rikki Tikki Tavi hot in chase. When Serjeant At Arms was alerted, his trademark acceleration saw him take over the running extending the margin with every powerful stride to go past the post 4½ lengths ahead of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Cambridge made a late surge to finish ¾ length away in third, two length ahead of New England.
Serjeant At Arms has now won 13 of his 16 starts with career earnings of Rs 4,75,10,431. He has won five Group1 races; three Group 2 races and the same number of Group 3 races. While proud owner Vispy Patel was so busy capturing his champion on camera his excitement was hard to hide. This was the icing on the cake for the Dhunjibhoy family that had a super racing weekend. Racing World would like to pay respect to Mrs Deepa Dhunjibhoy who passed away recently. May her soul rest in peace.
THE INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP, GR.1
The champion filly from Kolkata, the James McKeown-trained Adjudicate (Multidimensional-Alvarita) proved too good for her rivals, and that she was not at her best in the Indian Derby, when she came out and won the Indian Turf Invitation Cup from the veteran of the turf, Desert God by ½ a length. In the Indian Derby she was beaten by Star Superior by 5 lengths but she successfully turned the tables on him beating him by 2¾ lengths in this race.
Last year’s winner Kangra took the early lead from Psychic Force, Smasher, Star Superior, Desert God, with Adjudicate and Indian Pahraoh behind them. Psychic Force took over the running from Smasher at the mile marker while Salazaar made a move to the front. Star Superior was kept in fifth with Adjudicate on his inside in close touch. Salazaar soon took over the running before the turn. As they took the turn for home Star Superior was pulled out running almost four wide while Adjudicate on his inside had to navigate to his outside and Desert God on the inside came with his challenge. The three were moving the fastest, with Adjudicate surging ahead to meet eye to eye with Desert God while Star Superior fell out of the reckoning. The two had a battle royal in the final stages with the 4yo Adjudicate getting the better of 7yo Desert God by ½ length at the wire. Star Superior finished in third 2¼ lengths behind with the Bangalore Derby winner The Invader in fourth.
It must have been mixed feelings for the Padmanabhan’s, as their protégé James had beaten them in this all important race. Well good tutoring amounts to something. So it was also a proud moment for them. Adjudicate has now won five of her 10 starts with career earnings of Rs 2,33,90,125 having won two Group 1 races; a Group 2 and a Group 3 race. It was also nostalgic and a proud moment for Mrs D Khaitan and the Arun Nanda family with the famous gold & red belt colours, once again victorious on the big stage.
