There was dramatic action unfolding in the bookmakers`s ring as eleven runners and riders were being paraded in the paddock before the start of the second race on the Sunday card: the Aslam Kader Salver. Truckloads of money was bet onto Diego Garcia whose odds almost halved to 5-to-2 from 5-to-1. Not many, however, noticed quiet support coming in for the Imtiaz Sait-trained Ekatarina, who just closed below the long shot status at 9-to-1. On the race track, however, it was neither the favourite Dedication (David Allan up) nor the heavily backed Diego Garcia (A Sandesh up) who called the shots, it was Ekatarina (Neeraj Rawal up) who floored all her rivals and went on to post a facile victory in the Aslam Kader Salver, the first running of the race instituted in Kader`s memory after his demise on October 9 last year.
“Aslam Kader rode some of the best races for me,” Sait said in a post-race chat with mid-day, “so I am delighted to win this race.”
“My filly (Ekatarina) didn`t have a clear run in last start, as she was hampered by a riderless horse in that race,” added the veteran trainer, “so I was confident she will run a big race today. In fact, I told the owner (Mr Shyam Ruia) that we had a good chance to beat the favourite, and kept my fingers crossed.”
Remembering late Aslam Kader, Sait said, “He rode some great races for me,” and added, “his greatest quality was his confidence. After riding a horse during the track work, he would confidently tell me to call the owner to lead in the winner–amazing confidence!”
