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This does not take anything away from the performance of Conceptual, who showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals over this gruelling trip of 2800 metres. John settled her nicely behind the leading pair of stablemate One and Spark of Gold till the three furlong pole before making his final assault. While One got tired and faded from the scene, Spark Of Gold put up a semblance of a fight before giving up an unequal battle. Conceptual lengthened her strides and drew away from Spark Of Gold. Icebreaker moved from the rear, but could do no better than finishing a tame third. The average punter on the course was grateful to the bookmakers for offering such unbackable odds on the favourite.
Wayne Smith rode another average race on favourite Frozen Fire in The Lt Col Gaunt Memorial Trophy, a mile race for horses in Class III. Frozen Fire was considered to be unbeatable in this set, and was backed down to half-money favouritism. The filly was looking a picture in the paddock. No-hopers Social Climber and Spark Of Solitaire made most of the early running and brought the field into view. Kripa and Native Talent were racing on the outside, while Wayne Smith and Frozen Fire were tucked in along the rails. Rounding the final bend, Suraj Narredu sensed an opportunity and pushed Native Talent to the front. Kripa went in chase while the front runners began to drop back. Frozen Fire got jammed behind the tiring horses, and with no room to gallop, was pulled towards the outside. Although Frozen Fire galloped brilliantly thereafter, she was unable to catch Native Talent. She was a "nose" shy at the wire. This was a classic example of a "good thing getting beat" on a race track. The stipes considered it to be a case of the rider having ridden an ill judged race on the favourite.
Irfan Ghatala's Glitterato graduated from the miaden ranks with a well worked out victory over 1200 metres. Imran Chisty had ridden him in his only career start and had been impressed by his abilities. He chose to ride him again today. Glitterato was a marginal favourite ahead of Gold Crown, Russian Dancer and Calypso Star. The lead changed hands in the backstretch before Russian Dancer assumed charge in the straight, and sailed for home. Glitterato came through the middle of a tightly packed field, and went in chase. Under the strong urgings of Imran, Glitterato got stronger at the finish and went past the leader in the final stages of the race. Calypso Star came from the rear to take the third spot.
The day's opener was won by Babu Rao's Fleet Indian. After finishing a good sixth in the Colts Trial Stakes, this good looking horse was accepted in the Kingfisher Derby. He was balloted out of that event, and had to await his turn in a mile race for horses in Class IV. He was facing a bunch of modest performers in this race. Gnaneshwar was a picture of supreme confidence as he sat unperturbed till the final two furlongs before showing daylight to his horse. Fleet Indian cantered away from a late finishing pair of Shades Of White and Red Stone.
Nosher Cama's Bee Quick completed a quick double as this filly won her second successive start after arriving from Mumbai. The speedy filly is loving the cool weather of Bangalore, and has furnished remarkably. She was taken on a start to finish mission by Neeraj Rawal, and urged only in the last hundred metres of this event. A hard ridden Mighty Heart was unable to make any impression on the leader. With this victory, Bee Quich has now graduated to the highest Class.
Karan Singh's Pleasant Glory was lucky to carve out a narrow win ahead of Sparklingadventure and Media Man. The top weight showed a lot of determination while getting up on the last stride in this race. The runner up led till the last couple of strides before conceding his advantage. He is reported to have lost a shoe at the bend. Jockey Prakash rode a winner after a fairly long period of time. Karan Singh's effort to score a quick double were dashed by Warren Singh's Western Palace in the last race of the day.. This Harish ridden horse came with a powerful run in the straight to go away from his opponents. Commanche War Paint and Gara Fluid finished close to each other while saving place money.
