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| Reconnect winning the Vijay Textiles Golconda Derby |
Going into the race, the ‘Goldie Brown’ team who are known for their big race strategies, executed their game plan to perfection. Power Play set the pace in the first 1400 metres of the race with Reconnect in fourth even as Attractress was unmindful of the fast pace, settled in sixth. As Power Play began to wind up, Imran Khan took everyone by surprise taking Reconnect to the lead passing the 800 metres, well before the final bend. On the top of the home stretch Reconnect had a leeway of about four lengths over Attractress. Harish began to ride out Attractress, inching closer with every stride and Imran Khan who rode with great aplomb stopped the stick at the distance marker and brought out the best from his hands and heals with his head down. The final furlong of the race was a treat to the eyes with the two riders and the horses producing their best. Reconnect who was never headed on the straight held on by a hair line from Attractress.
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Trainer K Satheesh receiving The Vijay Textiles Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr-I) from Mr. Vijay Kumar, Managing Director, Vijay Textiles Ltd. |
Jockey Imran Khan has been riding with supreme confidence this season and this Derby ride, in all probability is one of the best in his career. Trainer K. Satheesh had left no stone unturned in tuning Reconnect to perfection, for this big one. Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy was not present to lead in the Derby winner but expressed his joy to your correspondent, on the Classic success, his 519th, an achievement unparalleled in the history of racing. Lingood Stud has also got a boost by this classic success.
Trainer Prasad Raju and Suraj Narredu combination led in a treble on the Derby day. They were a bit unhappy as they could not make it four, with Ave Maria finishing second after literarily walking out of the gates, loosing four lengths at the start. Kings Cruise won the race from the word ‘GO’. Ruby Crown started the day, providing the jockey an arm chair ride. Bella Coola won the Deccan Prince Cup from the fast finishing Golden Tricks. Their third win came in the concluding race through Maximum City. Suraj Narredu had to maneuver Maximum City through traffic snarls before piping Indradanush with a powerful ride. Enforcement could not get an opening along the rails and finished a close third.
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| 'THE CHAMPS', Satheesh and Imran Khan with the Trophies |
Narayan Rao and Nitin Singh scored a back to back double through Champion Star and Prohibition. Champion Star completed a hat trick, winning the lower division of the Squandered Cup in runaway fashion. Prohibition took the higher division with a flying finish overhauling the front running Page Three in front of the judges’ box.
Daniel Grant brought Ultra Violet Ray into view on the straight and drew away to clinch the Aristocrat Cup. Golden Flame finished second ahead of Kodos and Celtic Shot.
Ananth Vatsalya’s Adamant Approach made every post a winning one in the R.W.I.T.C. Cup. Global Presence, Arrow of Light and Doing my Best went past the winning post in a cluster for the minor placing.
