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| Tomsk |
Jockey P S Chouhan has been regularly steering some well backed horses to score this season. The youngster is a model of consistency, and has been growing in confidence. He was instrumental in the victories of Henry's Secret and Alaric. Both these horses had won their previous starts and were saddled with huge penalties today. Neil Darashah's big made Henry's Secret was running over his best trip of a mile. He was supported confidently to get the better of joint favourites Noble Kingdom and Spandau Ballet. With the lead changing hands repeatedly, some four or five runners raced abreast at the two furlong marker. Henry's Secret emerged from this group, and under the strong handling of Chouhan, skipped away from a late finishing Alchesaye. The two of them finished well clear of Duckworth.
His win astride Pradeep Annaiah's Alaric was more impressive. This well bred three year old had won her maiden start a fortnight ago, and had accepted to carry the top weight in a class IV race today. She was opposed by the Dominic trained Hurricane Bolt. Both these runners had strong support in the ring and favouritism alternated between the two of them. The race itself turned out to be a one sided affair. Alaric assumed command at the bend and cantered away from Hurricane Bolt. This result proved that this may be the last time that these two horses are running in the same Class. Senora Encima came with a late bid to end a close third.
Chouhan's bid to make it three for the day was thwarted by Champion jockey Suraj Narredu. Riding Flashing Crown for his father Satish Narredu, Suraj was once again seen at his brilliant best. In fact, it turned out to be the most exciting finish of the day. Chouhan on Storm Chaser led from Prakash ridden Persian Rock and Flashing Crown as they came into the final stages of this sprint race. With all three riders in full flow, the horses were almost abreast near the distance post. Flashing Crown began to shift out under pressure and his chances began to evaporate. Storm Chaser was holding on to his slender advantage, before Suraj decided to change his tactics. In a split second manouvre, he changed his whip from right to left, and corrected his horse. Flashing Crown responded gamely to a couple of left handers ,and edged out the leader by a neck.
The Manitou Trophy saw the eclipse of a heavily fancied Ice Mint. The fashionably bred horse was looking a picture in the paddock. He seems to have some internal problems, as he came to a trot in the final stages of the race. Spark Of Marchador ran the field off their feet by setting an immensely fast pace. Ice Mint held second spot till the bend before fading from the scene. Imperial Guest ran on from the rear to finish at a respectable distance behind Spark Of Marchador. The winner clocked a superb timing of 1 minute 13 seconds, and paid a rich compliment to his hard working trainer Prasanna kumar.
Another smart timing was posted by Dominic's Rugged Beauty, who made all the running in a Class III race over seven furlongs. Wayne Smith took her to the front and never looked back thereafter. The filly showed immense stamina by keeping Noble Sacrifice and Rashida at bay. Favourite Cayenne found the top weight a bit too much and caved-in without a fight .
The last race of the day saw Irfan Ghatala's Criminal Lawyer biting the dust. This horse looked a certainty in today's race ,especially after the earlier performance of Spark Of Marchador in the afternoon. Criminal Lawyer had beaten Spark Of Marchador in their last clash. He seemed to be off colour in this race as he gave up much before the winning post. Criminal Lawyer's supporters were surprised by the fact that he wasn't even able to save place money. Babu Rao's Flower Alley was ridden to a last stride victory over a runaway Spark Of Joy. Spring a Surprise was caught wide all the way, and as a result of this handicap, could do no better than finish a close third.
