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| Aboline |
The race itself turned out to be a procession. Suraj Narredu did not need to make a special effort while taking Aboline to the front from the gates at the 1200 metre marker. The others behind him were seen jostling for positions briefly, before Mallesh Narredu and Alacrity took the second spot ahead of Special Charm and Sprint Star. The order remained more or less the same as they straightened for home. The first horse beaten at this stage was Alacrity. While Aboline lengthened his strides and broke away from his opponents, Alacrity dropped out of contention. It was left to Sprint Star to chase Aboline, and pocket the handsome prize advertised for the runner-up. Superb Style came from the rear and took the third spot. Both the placed horses from Satish Narredu's stable were running for the first time in their career's, and based on today's performance should be earmarked for early maiden wins.
Aboline earned a cool "Million" for this effortless excercise. He is a nice compact colt and is bred to get a little longer than today's trip. He goes to the front and sets a fast pace. He has won both his starts in top class timings. The fact that he has not been extended till now, makes it difficult to guage his full potential.Aboline is certainly one of the best three year olds at Bangalore. It shall be interesting to see what Arjun plans to do with him in the months ahead.
Hawaiian Sunrise and Sarmaidar set the winning tone for the stable in the races prior to the big one.Hawaiian Sunrise decided to put her best foot forward , when she galloped strongly in the last 100 metres, and downed the colours of hot favourite Count This. The favourite had broken away from the pack inside the final furlong, and was being hailed a winner before Hawaiian Sunrise arrived on the scene.The bobbing of the heads went in favour of the seven year old mare who won by the proverbial whisker. Gara Fluid filled the rest of the frame.
Sarmaidar won his race in a peculiar fashion. He made the early running and led the ten horse pack till the bend. He was chased all the time by Greens , Excellent Ability and One while favourite Star Speed was finding it difficult to keep in touch with the field. Sarmaidar seemed to have shot his bolt at the bend when he handed over the lead to Greens on the rails and One on his outside. Just as One got the better of Greens close home, Sarmaidar came with a second run. Sarmaidar and Raptor Force flew from the rear ,and joined the leader at the winning post. Sarmaidar was declared the winner in a three way photo ahead of stablemate One and Raptor Force.
Trainer Padmanabhan carried on his good work by saddling another double for the day. Three year old Gypsy Magic (Placerville-Stunning) made a fine impression while winning a seven furlong race for maidens, which incidentally was the opening event of the day. The filly was a half-money chance to win this race. David Allan rode a very confident race on her, as he kept her in seventh position till the 400 metre marker.The supporters of this filly seemed to panick at this stage. David produced the filly on the outer strip of the track ,and asked her for an effort. Gypsy Magic bounded forward and covered acres of ground in no time. She hit the front thereafter ,and clocked-in many lengths ahead of the early leader Noble Sacrifice in a smart time of 1 minute 26.4 seconds. Her split timing for the last 400 metres was awesome ,and she is definitely a star in the making. The other winner from the stable came in the form of The Spartan , who cantered away from Royal Bank and Vayuputra. While giving David Allan and Padmnanabhan their doubles for the day, The Spartan advertised his fitness and confirmed the opinion that he is likely to win more races in the future.
The RWITC Trophy, a Class I race over seven furlongs witnessed a thrilling finish. The favourite Mark Of Gibraltar managed to hold on to win by half a length from a late finishing Reflection Of Gold. The runner-up was unfortunate to lose this race ,as she was guided in a very ordinary fashion by her rider. They missed the kick, graced the wrong end of the field till well into the straight, came through a trouble passage in the final stages and finally lost narrowly. On the other hand, the favourite Mark Of Gibraltar was kept a handy third, got a dream opening on the rails near the distance post and was ridden competently by apprentice Gaurav Sapra in the straight. The punters were fortunate to collect on this favourite. Flaming Lamborgini stayed on to finish a fair third ahead of Mothers Pride. The last named was putting in some smart work at the end but found today's trip a bit short for her liking.
Neil Darashah's Brothers In Arms finally won a race at the expense of hot favourite War Child. Brothers in Arms had been knocking on the door with some steady efforts during the season, and had been finding himself short at the all important end. Even today, he was hopelessly placed at the bend , as Darktan and War Child were fighting it out in front. For some obscure reason, both the leaders began to tire, and Brothers In Arms was quick to seize the opportunity. Saleem Golam pushed him relentlessly through an opening near the rails, and skipped away from the other two. Miss Marvelous came with a late dash in the end to finish an impressive fourth. She should be noted for an early success over a longer trip.
