Saturday, July 11, 2009
PLACERVILLE’S DAUGHTER, RHAPSIDION SNOW BREAKS 51-YEAR-OLD COURSE RECORD!

Rhapsidion Snow`s sensational performance in the Gr 2 B T C Anniversary Cup on Saturday which saw her eclipse the 51-year old mark, the longest standing record in the history of racing in Bangalore, also gave her trainer Padmanabhan the distinction of saddling his 100th Graded race success. The six-year old mare Rhapsidion Snow swept the field of their feet from the word `go` to lift the coveted race for the second year in succession.

For a horse which did not race till she was a four-year old due to various problems, Rhapsidion Snow has proved to be an outstanding race horse, overcoming the adversities, displaying the amazing qualities of a true champion. For Capt Jamshed Appoo who sponsored this race in the past, the victory of Rhapsidion Snow was something to cherish because of the splendid manner in which the daughter of Placerville beat a formidable opposition.
 

The record for this distance was held by Aris David trained Scone Stone who had achieved this feat way back in 1958 with jockey Pandu Khade astride. The timing was achieved when there used to be tape start and no starting stalls. The hand clocked timing was reportedly achieved in hard, underfoot conditions compared to the softer, tan based track that we have now.

Rhapsidion Snow had always enjoyed the invincible aura over the trip of seven furlongs. Though she had hurt herself in the early part of the season due to a freak mishap and missed much of the action in the season, her recovery appeared remarkable as she ran a mock race last week and showed out that she was in peak form. As such, Rhapsidion Snow went into the race as a strong favorite though close to race time the odds on Diego Rivera came down significantly. The race however held no surprises as Rhapsidion Snow won as expected with Diego Rivera displaced from the runner up spot by Dancing Dynamite whose late rally from the rear saw him finish an impressive second.

Jockey Wayne Smith, who is at his best when he dictates the pace from the start, had Rhapsidion Snow in front as the starter dispatched the field for the seven furlong trip, with Originality and Green Bax in close attendance. Diego Rivera was a handy fifth while Dancing Dynamite raced at the tail end. Rhapsidion Snow as is her wont, quickened brilliantly on turning for home and swept clear of the field. Diego Rivera made a futile bid to close the gap but in the process tired out which helped Dancing Dynamite to take the second spot with a late surge.

Sharan Kumar
Racing Pulse