By Punters Mind
Ranquelino Rules Again – Class is Permanent
Much was expected of Ranquelino, the dual Derby winner making his first start since a forgettable run in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup at Chennai. Although he entered the nine-furlong Chief Justice’s Cup only about 75% fit, as confirmed by owner Ashok Ranpise, the seasoned campaigner dismissed any doubts about his readiness. With his key rival Supernatural effectively self-destructing at the gates, Ranquelino cruised to victory, reminding everyone why he remains one of the best in the country.
Supernatural’s antics at the starting gate bordered on farcical. Having missed a year of wins and survived surgeries and setbacks, optimism around his resurgence was rooted more in nostalgia than reality. When the gates opened, Supernatural chose contemplation over competition—frozen in the stalls as his rivals thundered away. The irony was sharpened by the commentator’s oblivious cry of “Level start!” leaving punters scanning the screen for a horse that never moved.
With the field depleted of serious threats, Monteverdi, Casteel, and Touch of Grey did little to challenge Ranquelino. If there was any drama, it was off-track—the crowd alternating between laughter and disbelief as the much-fancied Supernatural stayed rooted in place like a Zen monk mid-meditation.
Doncaster Belle Dominates – But Not Without Drama
Doncaster Belle, a progressive filly from Darius Byramji’s yard, delivered a commanding performance in the 1400m Dupont Plate, brushing aside Final Call with ease. But while the filly ran straight and true, the jockeys behind her waged a mini-war along the rails. Saqlain’s aggressive run up the inside resembled a Formula 1 dive-bomb, while Neeraj Rawal on Final Call had similar ideas, resulting in near-miss chaos and even lifting Divine Protector off the ground. Surprisingly, the stewards saw no need for an enquiry. In a season of competitive racing, such leniency did raise eyebrows.
Despite the mess, Final Call looks one to watch—she needed that run and will surely sharpen up next time.
Mahler’s Late Charge and Vivek’s Vibes
Mahler, under the expert guidance of Trevor Patel, displayed both class and courage to snatch the Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Cup in the dying strides from Neptune, who had done almost everything right except win. Mahler’s explosive finish down the centre of the track was one of the highlights of the day, giving Sulaiman Attaollahi a double after Your Unforgettable’s successful debut earlier.
Patel’s mount in the opening race, Your Unforgettable, won with ears pricked, suggesting there’s plenty more to come from this gelding. The runner-up Enola Holmes also caught the eye and should find the winner’s enclosure soon.
Meanwhile, apprentice G Vivek continued to ride with confidence. He partnered Darrion to a pillar-to-post victory in the Prabalo Plate, holding off the fast-closing Silver Quest and the inconsistent Perfect Attitude, who continues to flatter and deceive post wind surgery.
Vivek had earlier struck with Ice of Fire in the D Kumar Siddanna Memorial Trophy, another front-running gem where he timed his challenge to perfection. The runner-up Aquastic made good ground late and looks close to winning form. On the flip side, Perfect Legend flattered early but folded tamely when it mattered, clearly needing more fitness or a rethink in tactics.
Other Notables and Surprises
The International Day of Yoga Plate provided bookends of unpredictability. In the upper division, well-backed Efficacy flipped out—literally—and had to be withdrawn after performing unintended gymnastics at the gate. That left the door wide open for Sapporo, an unconsidered debutant from Irfan Ghatala’s yard, who showed commendable grit to hold off Aces Up, who will benefit greatly from this outing.
In the lower division, it was all about Your Unforgettable, but the runner-up Enola Holmes showed she is knocking on the door. Another disappointment was Annabelle, who raced prominently but had little to offer when pressure mounted.
Punters’ Notebook: Horses to Follow
- Ranquelino – Back in top form; has the Maharaja’s Cup and more at his mercy.
- Supernatural – Needs a full psychiatric session with the starter before redemption. Risky until gate behavior improves.
- Final Call – Strongly run second; will be better next time with clear sailing.
- Schoenberg – Late third in a tight finish; smart debut and a definite follow-up candidate.
- Aquastic – Finishing well, just behind the winner. Watch over a similar trip.
- Enola Holmes – Improving filly; maiden win is around the corner.
- Silver Quest – Hit the line strongly; ready to win when placed right.
- Aces Up – Lost nothing in defeat; will improve after this pipe-opener.
- Doncaster Belle – Looks a cut above in her class. Can repeat.
- Your Unforgettable – Smart debut; potential star in the making.
Summary : A Day of Form, Flair & Farce
Saturday’s racing card served up the best of both worlds: solid form performances for punters and a healthy dose of theatre for the spectators. With leading trainers like Darius Byramji and Sulaiman Attaollahi delivering multiples, and in-form riders Trevor Patel and G Vivek rising to the occasion, it was a day where betting confidence was rewarded.
The only sour note? The Supernatural saga—a reminder that race favourites can sometimes bring more drama than delight.
As the season heads into its crucial weeks, we can expect deeper fields, better-prepped runners, and more storylines ready to unfold. One thing is certain: with Ranquelino back in town, the big races just got a lot more interesting.
