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Bold Blast from Donald Netto’s yard edged out Blazing Bounty in the A.P. Commemoration Cup, the main race of the day. With Global Presence being permitted to be withdrawn and Fabulous Crown withdrawn after he bolted, the field was reduced to ten runners. Blazing Bounty set out on a start to finish mission and passing the distance marker he looked to wrap up the race as Bold Blast and Hurricane were struggling to catch up. Chouhan on Bold Blast did not give up hope and got more vigorous on his mount and that paid dividends as Bold Blast inched up towards Blazing Bounty and put his neck in front close to the winning post. Doing my Best came from way behind to take the third spot ahead of Vijayraaj and Hurricane Bay.
Trainer K.S.V. Prasad Raju, who has been topping the table in winter for a couple of years, started off the season with four wins on the opening day. The retained jockey, D. Gnaneshwar, rode three of them. The duo began their pursuit in the opening race, the higher division of the Nagarjuna Sagar Plate, winning on Royal Tune. Running at cramped odds, Royal Tune bided his time till the last 150 metres and won readily. Barring the winner the next six places were covered within a length and a half.
Ave Maria lifted the Welcome Plate in style. Settled in fifth position till the top of the straight, she began to make her move but found herself locked up, with horses all around. Gnaneshwar checked his mount, pulled her out and when he let go, Ave Maria raised a gallop in a trifle and the race was well hers. Chiquelle, Vendetta and Vijays Angel were locked in a three-way finish behind the winner.
The odds on Alberton Star started to drift out before closing at 18 to 10 against but that did not deter him from scoring an encore in the lower division of the Nagarjuna Sagar Plate. Passing the leader Victorous Sally, midway up the straight, Alberton Star cruised to a four-length victory. Al Jabal, Meritorious and Victorous Sally finished in that order to fill the frame.
The concluding race of the day was picked up by Alpine Girl who was up in front from the start and quickened well in the last 100 metres when challenged by Yours Mine N Ours and Ring Master.
Apprentice R. Umesh had a mighty double riding home Retro Magic and True Force to victory. Retro Magic overtook Autumn Gold with a fluent run on the straight and warded off the late challenge of Vijay Lakh in the lower division of the Aberader Plate. True Force with a better piece of riding prevailed over Ujjaini in the higher division of the Deccan Star Cup.
The lower division was won by Anupam Sharma’s Corps Command who set out in front and maintained a two-length lead throughout. Classic One warmed up late and finished second after covering lot of ground while the favourite Smart Empire was a tame third.
Trainer Zoheb Shaik’s Glen Gyle won the first race for youngsters this season. Guiding Light and Walnut Creek who finished behind the winner should strip fitter after this run.
