PAST THE POST- A Review of Indian St. Leger - Grade 1 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 25 Sep 2018
PAST THE POST – A Review of Indian St. Leger – Grade 1
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
The final Classic of the season – The Indian St. Leger saw a host of out station challengers travel to Pune in an attempt to gain some Group I glory with half the field comprising out station challengers. Heading the challenge from Bangalore came the rapidly improving and highly regarding Dancing Dragon trained by Neil Darashah. Beginning his career only in January this year, the Dragon had progressed rapidly up the handicap ranks, sweeping all before him and rattled off 5 races in a row culminating in a smart victory over Lady In Lace in The Maharaja's Cup. However, in his last start – The Governor's Cup over 2400M, he had been found wanting for stamina and had been comfortably beaten by Kambaku albeit conceding 4 kilos. Being by Phoenix Tower out of a speedy dam, there was always the doubt that he would have the stamina for this additional 400M. The other obvious threat appeared to be the Queen filly from Kolkotta – Sana who had already proven that she stays the trip having finished runner up to Desert God in the Bangalore St. Leger where she had Reunion 2 lengths behind her back in 3rd. She had also had the huge benefit of having had a run already on the Pune track when she was a last gasp winner of the Idar Gold Trophy over 2400M getting up in the final stride to collar Vulcan with Caprisca finishing a dismal last of 5 that day. An interesting stat in Sana's favour was that over the past few years, the winner of the Leger had either won the Idar Gold Trophy or the President of India Gold Cup prior to contesting the Leger. Since the latter race had been won by and older horse – Desert God, Sana looked to have strong statistical claims with Y.S. Srinath keeping the ride. Kambaku, an improving son of Win Legend looked to be bred to stay the trip and had beaten Dancing Dragon convincingly on his last run over 2400M as also the Hyderabad Challenger Reunion, who had already placed in 2 Regional St.Legers and looked sure to stay. The home challenge was spear headed by Selfie Star and Caprisca. While Selfie Star had been outstayed by Sana in the Idar Gold Trophy and looked highly unlikely to get the extra distance although she was in great heart, Caprisca looked bred to stay the trip but had run a shocker last time out when a hot favourite, finishing last of 5 behind Sana and Selfie Star and had run miserably on his only other attempt over 2400M when last of 6 in the Kolkotta Derby again well behind Sana.
In spite of the hesitancy of his staying prowess Dancing Dragon was sent off favourite at 16/10 with Sana next best at 13/4, Selfie Star available at 7s and both Reunion and Kambaku quoted at 8/1 with 'name your price' for the remaining 4 runners. Sagittarius and Kambaku matched strides for the early lead with the latter finally gaining the ascendancy and taking them along at a fast clip with Sana racing close up in 3rd and a gap of 4-5 lengths back to the chasing group headed by Selfie Star. The rest were strung out at 3-4 length intervals with Reunion in 5th spot, followed by In It To Win It with Dancing Dragon 2nd last and Caprisca content to sit last of all. Kambaku enjoyed a 5 length lead through the backstretch from Sagittarius in 2nd with Sana right on his haunches in 3rd and a break of over a distance back to Selfie Star. 3 lengths away came Reunion with the rest maintaining the same order as before. Kambaku began to come back to the field as they approached the 800 with Sana moving up threateningly into 2nd, Reunion and Dancing Dragon both making significant headway to have the leaders in their sights and Caprisca still a close last but moving well under Sandesh. Kambaku entered the straight with a narrow advantage over Sana under pressure in 2nd, with Dancing Dragon being driven along in the middle but not making much impression and Reunion and Caprisca the pair looking dangerous on the stands side. Caprisca unleashed a powerful burst to sail into the lead approaching the furlong pole and it was all over bar the shouting as the Imtiaz Sait ward stormed away to a glorious victory drawing a little over 3 lengths clear at the wire in a stunning upset. There was a battle royale for the runner's up slot with Reunion just getting his head up on the line to gain revenge on Sana. There was a gap back to Dancing Dragon who was also in a photo for 4th place, just snatching it from the tiring Kambaku.
Caprisca's performance was a revelation after his 2 previous dismal runs at 2400M and his last loss is still quite mystifying. He earned a first Classic success for his sporting owner Mr. K.H. Vachha who was understandably elated. Reunion was a gutsy 2nd but Sana was a disappointing 3rd. Dancing Dragon and Selfie Star both clearly proved to be non stayers while Kambaku, In It To Win It and Sagittarius were probably outclassed.
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