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| Brahmaputra needs no introduction. He is the king of the Delhi turf as his mere presence creates terror among the rivals. It was proved in many events and the recently held President of India cup has almost stamped his authority. Barring him none of favourites was able to live upto expectations on Tuesday's races. However, the day turned out to be memorable for the young apprentice jockey Riazuddin, who not only opened his account but also went on to complete a double ever since he was licensed a couple of years ago. The professionals to share a brace each were trainer Sangeet Charan and A Khan. The five-year-old horse Brahmaputra just completed the formality of crossing the wire after being despatched off. He simply hides into the lead and the rest became history while retiring on a tight rein. None of four even dared to come closer at any stage over the seven-furlongs journey. He stopped the clock just over one minute and 25seconds with the weight (62 kg) he carried while setting a new course record of over five furlongs. It is quite interested to note that it might be his last run at this centre as lack of terms races may force his connections (Messrs Gautam Thapar and Sultan Singh) to find him a suitable turf where he earns more laurel. "Probably, Kolkata would be the next destination for him and we (including owners) are seriously thinking over it", A Khan, trainer told me. The champion horse, who won many accolade including the dual classic - 2000 Guineas and North India Derby last year, remained unbeaten in as many 11 outings here. The king of the turf has also the track record of 1,200m to his credit. He is the horse who succeeded over every distance the Delhi Race Course has. Going down the memory lane, Rajput Wonder had the same reputation when the National capital's racing was unknown to the racing world way back in the early 80's. El Dorado, who belongs to Brahamputra's, could have finished second ahead of Ashwapratap, if he was made to run from the wide-out of the latter from the top of the homestretch in stead of trying to make the shortest way till the final furlongs. with this benefit of run, the speedy customer may also be able to spring a surprise over the longer distances. Cataluniya's close fourth is quite promising. Pleiad, who ran off the board in the previous outing, registered a stunning victory in the day's opener - Paris Circus Plate (Div.I) Riazuddin, who rode the nine-year-old gelding, was up with the front runners before being displaced. But by the time the field of seven approached the final curve, the gelding came closer to the leading pack and when Real Scotch looked all set to achieve success, he simply grabbed the opportunity near the distance post. Silver zara was pulled up lame. Charg Away and Lady's Crown should soon earn brackets. Riazuddin earned his second bout through Montgomery's Hero who was also available at the nourishing odds in the Little Boy Plate. Seeing the favourite She's A Melody drifting out alarmingly in to the last furlong and Little Master invading his territory from the centre of the course, he kept on pushing his another aged partner to score a narrow victory over little master and the public fancied runner. Meanwhile, youngsters' Indigo Nation Plate had a three way finish in which Flyby succeeded in maintaining the start-to-finish bid by getting the half-a-length better of the heavily backed Ashwa Sourya. Daytonas Beauty, who was charged wee-bee late, finished close third despite hanging in. The run proved that the filly has the staying power. Red Reef, half brother to the speedy Red Cat, galloped late from rear to run fifth. The son of Classic Tale and Red Rossette should come up a lot. Dubious handling of jockey Ramandeep Singh Bal on the Market fancied Desert falcon made Yare's wire to wire task easy in the lower division of the Paris Circus Plate. Tom's River was the last horse to upset the calculations in the Kristal Blue Plate. |
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