The fight for supremacy amongst the trainers and jockeys is getting to a boil, thus generating a lot of interest among the race goers. Prasad Raju and Leo started the day with 27 wins apiece and by the end of the day Prasad who scored a brace against Leo's one moved ahead by one point. Imran rode a treble to stay in front of Harish in the jockey's tally even as Nitin Singh kept his chances alive with a double.
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| El Paso |
Vijayrath won the M.C.E.M.E.Rolling Trophy, the supporting event of
the day, from Nano War by the shortest of margin. It was a sight to
watch as the two top jockeys, Imran and Harish in full flow over the
final furlong. Vijayrath had a useful lead of about two lengths as
they passed the distance post and Nano War began to get closer with
every stride. Imran had to goad Vijayrath to stay in front by a short
head at the wire.
Hurricane Bay lifted the Umraolal Gupta Memorial Cup, a race for
horses in the highest category. Crocodile Hunter, Vijayraj,
Lanchashire, Doing my Best and Shikra were all charging in a line to
take command as the field approached the 300 metres. Doing my Best
travelled the best and took charge and was shaping like a winner when
Hurricane Bay unleashed a terrific run to floor the field. This win
gave trainer Prasad Raju his double having earlier won the opener on
the money back Ave Maria with a fluent gallop.
Nithin scored a double through Al Jeezaan and Al Jadeed. Al Jeezaan
took the initiative near the 300 metres and quickened well to win from
India Gate and Kansas City Mac. Traxana missed the jump by about two
lengths and travelled in the rear.
Nitin settled Al Jadeed in mid field till the final bend and waited
till the gap along the inner rails widened as the runners began to
straighten up and once that happened Al Jadeed shifted gears and shot
past the front running Standing Ovation. True Fashion came from way
behind to take the runner up berth at the post pushing Standing
Ovation to third.
Taste of India upset all calculations and won the Chaitanya Chakram
Plate run over five furlongs. Music Express who was shaping like a
winner at one stage finished second. The favourite Phar Lap fell back
for no apparent reason near the 600 metres and finished off the board.
Nitin tried to run away with the higher division of the Sir Bruce
Plate on Al Jouf with a five length advantage mid way up the straight
but began to shorten his strides and packed up giving way to Hari Har
Priya. Super Brand with Imran on the saddle galloped with gigantic
strides to win the race beating Lenavi to second place. Red River
Rebel was permitted to be withdrawn on veterinary grounds.
Sequeira with a brilliant piece of riding on the favourite Sweety Boy
edged out Millennium Queen at the post in a pulsating finish. The duo
fought out every inch of the final 150 metres with Sweety Boy putting
his nose in front when it mattered most.
