Public fury disrupts racing again

MUMBAI: Punters have seen champion horses get beaten in the past and are aware that there is nothing like certainty in horse racing but probably they have become too impatient now.
The race goers in the public enclosure of the Mahalaxmi racecourse went berserk for the third time this season on Saturday after hot favourite super colt Be Safe finished second in the Omkar Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Grade 1).
Be Safe was placed seventh entering the home stretch in an 11 horse field while his stable-mate Quasar, winner of three Derbies, was leading the pack. Jockey Suraj Narredu put Be Safe under pressure with some cracking of the whip but the colt, despite accelerating, failed to catch Quasar who held on to his slender lead. The winner was ridden by Yash Narredu.Both the horses were trained by Malesh Narredu.
Punters, many of whom had kept Be Safe as a banker in their jackpot line-up, got furious claiming that Suraj had ill-judged the race intentionally. Suraj was given a hostile and abusive reception on his way back after the race. A section of the punters then went berserk, throwing chairs while trying to enter the paddock, hurling abuses at authorities.
The cops then tried to calm down the agitating punters and enabled the authorities to hold the prize distribution function. The last race of the day, the Deltin Stayers' Cup, was delayed by an hour after police took control of the situation. Jockeys too were worried about riding in the last race and agreed to do so only after cops assured them safety.
Trainer Vishal's Zachary won the Maj. P K Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup (Grade 1) in a record time, covering the distance of 1600 metres in one minute and 33.96 seconds. It was Vishal's debut race of career.
Trainer Altammash Ahmed's Astapi won the Deltin Casinos Stayers' Cup (Grade 1) beating favourite Tiger Tops easily .Results with dividends.1. Percept Million (1600m): Admiralty 1, Master Of Trinity 2, Phenomenal Memory 3, Remember The Time 4. 4-34, 312, 2-14. T:1:36.84. Tote: Rs 10 for win; 10, 52 for places; Shp: 63; Fc: 28; Q: 43; Tanala: 42 & 14.2. Hyderabad Race Club Million (1000m): Calissa 1, Spring Loaded 2, Abigail 3, Seahorse 4. 34, 12, nk.T:0:59.88. Tote: Rs 44 for win; 12, 20, 10 for places; Shp: 57; Fc: 303; Q: 120; Ta nala: 301 & 55.3. Bangalore Turf Club Million (1000m): Tap Dance 1, Himalayan Queen 2, Shania 3, Zabarwan 4. 2, 12, 12. T:0:58.58. Tote: Rs 229 for win; 38, 19, 39 for places; Shp: 37; Fc: 712; Q: 1168; Tanala: 5506 & 4719.4. Omkar 1973 Worli Million (1000m): Blue Bay 1, Plan B 2, Pretty Hot 3, Tahrir 4.1, shd, nk. T:0:59.24. Tote: Rs 119 for win; 29, 28, 42 for places; Shp: 85; Fc: 1598; Q: 649; Tanala: 8811 & 5664.5. Turf Authorities of India Million (1400m): Dramarama 1, Lancelot 2, Attraction 3, Cool Runnings 4. 1-14, 3-34, 34. T:1:23.70. Tote: Rs 20 for win; 13, 17, 13 for places; Shp: 36; Fc: 59; Q: 50; Tanala: 64 & 35. 6. Maj. P K Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup (Grade 1) 1600m: Zachary 1, Arrogant Approach 2, Shivalik Storm 3, Acclaimed 4. 4-34, 12, 1-14. T:1:33.96.Tote: Rs 21 for win; 13, 21, 38 for places; Shp: 89; Fc: 83; Q: 57; Tanala: 880 & 411.7. Suresh Mahindra Multi-Million (Grade 2) 1400m: Your Royal Majesty 1, Im Different 2, Plenipotent 3, Adam 4. 112, 34, 34. T:1:22.84. Tote: Rs 19 for win; 13, 83, 32 for places; Shp: 279; Fc: 6025; Q: cf; Tanala: 4829 & 2069.8. Omkar Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Grade 1) 2400m: Quasar 1, Be Safe 2, Amazing Grace 3, Alaindair 4. Nk, 2-14, 1-34. T:2:28.73. Tote: Rs 203 for win; 20, 10, 12 for places; Shp: 64; Fc: 224; Q: 72; Tanala: 952 & 363.9. Deltin Casinos Stayers' Cup (Grade 1) 3000m: Astapi 1, Tiger Tops 2, An Acquired Taste 3, Authentic 4. 2-12, nk, 12. T:3:11.97. Tote: Rs 66 for win; 18, 10, 41 for places; Shp: 64; Fc: 200; Q: 75; Tanala: 1047 & 828.1st Jackpot: 70% Rs 44357 (7) & 30% 7393 (18); 2nd Jackpot: 70% 123034 (17) & 30% 5152 (174); Super Jackpot: 70% 388532 (1) & 30% 23788 (7); Treble: (I): cf; (II): 1975 (7); (III): 3526 (6).Reynolds for feature New trainer Vishal's Reynolds, to ridden by S Zervan, looks good among nine contenders in the C N Wadia Gold Cup (Grade 2), feature of Sunday's Mumbai races. He may get some stiff challenge from Highlander. There are 10 races with first starting at 1 pm.Selections: 1. The Amateur Riders' Club Cup Div-II: Ensign 1, Star Prince 2.2. The Noble Way Plate: Another Conquest 1, Top Bracket 2.3. Amateur Riders' Club Cup Div-I: Star Builder 1, Sail Past 2.4. Singapore Turf Club Cup Div-II: Blavatsky 1, Zana 2.5. Jayaramdas Patel Gold Trophy: Pretty Lights 1, Bethpage 2.6. Indian Navy Trophy: Spider Man 1, Remember Me 2.7. R J Kolah Trophy Heather 1, Multiglory 2.8. C N Wadia Gold Cup (Grade 2): Reynolds 1, Highlander 2.9. Super Brave Double Stakes: Fast Lady 1, Moussaeif 2.10. Singapore Turf Club Cup Div-I: Belgian Blue 1, Hunt For Heads 2. Day's best: Another Conquest.
Luck of race went against me: Suraj
Jockey Suraj Narredu, who rode the favourite Be Safe and lost to Quasar in the Omkar Indian Turf Invitation Cup, said the luck of the race was not his favour. "I did my best after entering the home stretch and even my horse responded well but unfortunately Quasar held on to his lead," Suraj told TOI after the race. "I don't think it was a belated effort and one should not forget that Quasar has won three Derbies in his career over last few months," said the ace jockey. The Stewards have opened an enquiry into the running and riding of Be Safe.