PAST THE POST - A REVIEW OF THE RAMNIWAS RAMNARAIN RUIA GOLD CUP - GRADE 3 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 11 Jan 2020
PAST THE POST – A REVIEW OF THE RAMNIWAS RAMNARAIN RUIA GOLD CUP – GRADE 3
-By Cyrus Naterwalla
The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Grade 3) is the time honoured lead up race to the Indian Derby and has often produced a surprise result in the past. Last year, Star Superior was nearly shocked by Sacred Roman in this race but then went on to claim the Indian Derby in great style. With no clear superstar in the ranks this season, many must be fancying their chances in The Blue Riband but only 4 runners turned up to take on the Indian 2000 Guineas and Pune Derby winner Trouvaille who, on paper looked a cinch to win this. He had comfortably finished ahead of both Victorious Sermon and Sultan Suleiman in the Indian 2000 Guineas, had finished well clear of Daddy’s Pride in the Pune Derby and the out station challenger Malwa was a suspect stayer over the trip. Accordingly, he was quoted at the same price that Star Superior was last year at 10/5 on.
The 5 runners got off to an even dispatch from the 2000M marker and with the early pace a veritable crawl, it was Malwa who found himself in front with Trevor attempting to slow down the pace to suit his mount from Victorious Sermon making rapid headway on the outside to race in 2nd. A length or so away came Sultan Suleiman in 3rd, looking to redeem himself after a poor showing in the Guineas. The odds on favourite Trouvaille was racing in 4th spot with Daddy’s Pride last of the 5 runners and held up to make a late challenge. The pace remained steady throughout the backstretch and passing the 1200M marker, Colm O’Donoghue decided to up the tempo and moved up to press Malwa for the lead with Sultan Suleiman still in 3rd, Trouvaille beginning to creep closer on the outside and Daddy’s Pride still a close last. The 5 runners were sandwiched close together as they rounded the bend with Malwa being pressed all the time on the outside by Victorious Sermon, Sultan Suleiman and Trouvaille just both being niggled a bit by their riders and Daddy’s Pride off the bridle now and being pushed to keep pace. Victorious Sermon put in a strong burst to surge past Malwa and take it up at the 400 from Trouvaille moving into 2nd but being ridden along by Mackay, Daddy’s Pride trying to stay on down the stands side and Sultan Suleiman trying to get on terms in the middle. Victorious Sermon kicked away to a handy 3 length lead at the furlong pole and it was quite apparent that Trouvaille was not going to produce his sparkling finish of the 2000 Guineas and a stunning upset was imminent. With Colm O’Donoghue punching for home, Victorious Sermon kept up the gallop all the way to the line to score an emphatic 3 ½ length win which left most of the racing public stunned. Trouvaille managed to hold on to the runner’s up spot but looked very flat today finishing just a length clear of Sultan Suleiman who ran better than he did in the Guineas but never looked a potent factor at any stage. There was a gap of 4 ½ lengths back to Daddy’s Pride who did as best he could in the circumstances with Malwa weakening to finish last of the quintet.
Considering that Victorious Sermon finished 8 lengths behind Trouvaille in the Pune Derby and 4 lengths behind him in the Indian 2000 Guineas, he appears to be making rapid progress and may just be peaking at the right time. It must be said that he looked particularly well in the paddock and may just be coming into his own at the right time. He clearly comes into the reckoning for the Indian Derby on this showing.
It is clear that Trouvaille did not run upto his best and excuses can be made about the small field and the possible slow pace being his undoing. This run may be taken with a pinch of salt and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back in the Indian Derby where there is likely to be a larger field and a guaranteed strong pace. It is too early to be writing him off just yet but this run was an eye opener and it is also possible that he peaked for the Guineas and is a bit over the top now. S.K. Sunderji clearly has his work cut out for him in the next 3 weeks.
Sultan Suleiman ran as well as can be expected in the circumstances but may just be a bit below this level at present although on pedigree he should stay the longer trip and will most likely take his chance in the Derby as well. Daddy’s Pride appears to be a little below this top level but is a genuine sort and he too is likely to take his shot in the hopes of running into a place as he appears to have plenty of stamina. Malwa was a clearly a non stayer and will in all probability drop back to shorter trips now
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
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