PAST THE POST- A Review of the Pune City Gold Cup (Grade 3) - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 25 Sep 2018
PAST THE POST – A Review of the Pune City Gold Cup (Grade 3)
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
The Pune City Gold Cup is a relatively newly formed Graded Race for horses 3 Years Old and Over over the distance of one mile and has probably replaced the Southern Command Trophy which has now been shifted to a 3 year old race. While there were no 3 year olds in the fray for this years renewal the 8 strong field featured a nice mix of older horses and the current crop of 4 year olds and it looked a highly competitive affair on paper. Heading the list from amongst the older horses was the Pesi Shroff trained Your Royal Majesty – a tremendous middle distance performer over the last few years who had already won Multiple Group Races and seemed to be in as good as form as ever at the ripe old age of 7. Right up there with him came the progressive 5 year old from Imtiaz Sait’s yard – New England who had been threatening to win one of these Group races and had warmed up with a good lung opener in The Turf Club Trophy. The 4 year olds were represented by Cambridge and Perfect Star and from the fillies side Auburn. While Cambridge had skipped the Indian Classics but had been conquering all before him along the handicap route, Perfect Star had finished a gallant 3rd in the Indian 2000 Guineas and was in red hot form having won his last 2 races on the trot. Auburn, a late maturing sort seemed to be just coming into her own and had scored a hugely impressive victory over Selfie Star earlier in the season, although she was a bit out on the Terms.
As expected the race proved to be an open betting heat with New England eventually sent off favourite at 13/4 closely followed by Auburn at 9/2 with Your Royal Majesty quoted at 5/1. The field of 8 broke to a lovely even dispatch from the mile barrier and it was the green colours of B Fifty Two which were the first to show out as he set out in his customary front running role from Your Royal Majesty who was slotted into box seat in 2nd by Y.S. Srinath. The filly Auburn was also prominently placed in 3rd just super ceding Perfect Star who was settled on the fence in 4th. Cambridge was content to race in midfield at this juncture, a length or so away being tracked by New England on the outside. 2nd last at this stage was the enigmatic Supreme General with Whomakestherules – the former Super Mile winner racing last of all. The pace remained strong and the field was closely grouped as they approached the bend with New England the first one off the bridle and just being nudged along to be in touch by Sandesh as B Fifty Two continued to show the way to Your Royal Majesty with the two 4 year olds Perfect Star and Auburn racing together and closely shadowed by Cambridge. Your Royal Majesty surged into the lead as they straightened up and went for home with Auburn now throwing down her challenge on the outside with Perfect Star looking to come through between the pair and Cambridge now angled out to make his run with New England challenging widest of all. There were 5 of them spread across the track at the furlong pole as Perfect Star shifted onto the rails from Your Royal Majesty giving his usual valiant effort in the middle, Auburn trying hard, Cambridge still ridden hands and heels by Neeraj and putting in a strong run to join the fight and New England hitting full stride on the stands side. Cambridge struck the front with barely 100 yards to go and was given a couple of cracks as New England powered home down the outside by Neeraj had timed his run to a nicety and the son of Burden of Proof stuck his neck out to score by half a length from the late finishing New England who was moving the fastest at the finish. Your Royal Majesty kicked on to be a gallant 3rd on the inside while Auburn was not disgraced at all in 4th. Perfect Star got checked by Your Royal Majesty in the final 100M and had to be eased with the others never getting into the contest.
With this showing, Cambridge has continued his wonderful consistency and earned a most deserving 1st Group Race success. He has astonishingly won 7 races in a row in Western India since his debut 2nd with the only blip being a 3rd in the South Indian 2000 Guineas when travelling to Chennai to contest that. Credit goes to Pesi Shroff for keeping him in fitness and condition throughout the last year as he has had gaps between his races but has maintained his form and fitness. Having earned a Group Race success he may now be targeted at the middle distance Group Races in Mumbai although connections may contemplate stepping him up to a mile and a quarter for the season ending RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup. New England once again came desperately close once again but a Group Race success still eludes him. He lives to fight another day and should win one of these contests soon. Auburn too ran well on her first assay into Group company and she is likely to contest the Fillies and Mares Stakes where she may lock horns once again with Selfie Star. Perfect Star was hampered at a crucial juncture and may be worth giving another chance to.
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