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| Mr Zeyn Mirza receiving The Sprinters` Championship Trophy from Mr N Harindra Shetty, Steward of BTC Winner Aquitaine |
With only four runners reaching the starting gates, Lady One was an obvious choice ,and was confidently backed at half-money. The speedy mare was considered to be far superior to this set. Attaolahi's Aquitaine had other ideas, as she rocketed to the front in the early stages of the race. Lady One was uncomfortable with this fast pace ,and David Allan decided to ride a waiting race. Jersey Pride and Logan's Run began to drop out of it near the final turn. Suraj Narredu had Dr Vijay Mallya's filly on a tight leash before he released his hold on her near the distance post. The response was almost electric as she rocketed away from Lady One. The latter looked very ordinary on Saturday afternoon. Aquitaine's performance was a revelation as she had performed poorly in her last start, when she had started as a favourite in the lower class. Today's showing indicates a bright future for this modest looking filly.
The only maidens race of the day saw a brilliant performance by Satish Narredu's Sprint Star. This well conformed colt had run a cracker in the Winter Million ,when he finished second to Aboline. The fact that this was his second career start after that outing, Sprint Star was a money back favourite in this event. He was expected to win effortlessly, and he definitely lived upto that reputation. Suraj was content to allow him to gallop on tight reins, and the horse was never off the bridle while winning in a smart timing. Sprint Star is sure to make a mark in the bigger events at Bangalore.Talisker ran a game second and is sure to pick a race before the conclusion of the season.
Another professional to score a quick double was trainer Dominic. Count This was the medium of a big gamble a few weks ago. Having narrowly failed on that occasion, Count This was pitched in a longer event this afternoon. Sharing favouritism with Affirmed Crown till a few minutes before the race, Count This was backed heavily once again. Jockey De Souza was seen at his best while guiding the fortunes of this horse. Count This was given a very balanced ride by him, and that eventually helped the favourite in winning a close affair from Affirmed Crown. The rest of the runners finished more than a distance behind the first two. The double was completed with the help of Music Forever and David Allan. Last outing winner Music Forever was trying to repeat his winning performance. He was held back till well into the straight, before being popped the question. Music Forever responded well to David's urgings and skirted the field near the 50 metre marker. He finally won easier than the official verdict of the judge.
The third double was scored by Frenchman Samuel Fargeat. He started with a stylish victory astride Abbas's Royal Flynn in an event for horses in the lowest class. The six year old mare defied a stiff penalty that she had recieved for her earlier victory. Mister Trooper and Spread a Smile finished behind her in close order. His victory astride Sunny Gold was certainly expected. He was backed to the exclusion of the others and performed accordingly. Telemacchus ran a game second ,and was certainly unlucky to have raced against the favourite today. Cute Style landed a nice "Place" gamble for the stable by finishing a close third.
The only other race in the days card was won by War Child. This ward from Darius's stable had failed as a hot favourite in his previous outing. The connections decided to campaign him over a longer trip, and their decision turned out to fruitful. War Child set a moderate pace in this mile event, and accelerated nicely near the bend. He eventually proved to be far superior to the others. Favourite Sudden Thunder jumped slowly from the gates , and refused to raise a gallop thereafter. Badge Of Honour and Buck Passer Junior were the other ones to be fancied by their respective camps. Both ran pathetically and should be left alone for a while.
