The low pressure over the Bay of Bengal looked to have a cascading effect over Malakpet on Sunday afternoon. Splendid Scot was the only firm favourite to oblige, with the rest of the seven races paying out handsome dividends. The jackpot pool, which rarely goes without being en-cashed at this centre, was carried over. The weather started as cloudy and the cool winds that blew across brought in rains by the time the horses arrived in the parade ring before the third race.
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| Trainer M V Narayan Rao, Mr. T Rakesh Reddy, Mr. K T Raisu and Mr. Prasad leading Kohinoor Delight (Vivek Up), winner of The Deccan Bookmakers Trophy |
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The Recommender Plate, for maiden 2 year-old horses, had seven colts and one filly. Of them, Orient Glory was considered unbeatable going by the odds offered on him. The race was delayed by almost 15 minutes as The Kohinoor had bolted and began to test the handlers. After being apprehended, he was sent to the starting gates as the trainer felt that the colt had just got the required warm-up before the race. Going into the race, Orient Glory improved and hit the front entering the home stretch but lost out of steam in the last 150 metres and Magic Million, who was getting into rhythm, flew past to win. Ice Mountain improved to finish third ahead of The Kohinoor.
Netto’s Splendid Scot managed to survive the scare of Stroke of Luck in the higher division of the Godavari Cup, the opening race of the afternoon.
Narayan Rao’s Kohinoor Delight won the Deccan Bookmaker’s Trophy by a clear four length advantage. Scorcher was followed by Amontillada, Bharadvij and Kohinoor Delight rounding the final bend. Jockey Vivek on Kohinoor Delight slipped in along the wide gap along the rails and went clear with just his hands and heels at work. Zulima came from far behind to take the runner up berth.
Acciaccatura won the lower division of the Half-A-Crown plate thus giving her trainer, Leo, a double. Held back in second till the last 500 metres, Acciaccatura shot ahead and stretched out well to win comfortably. Feudal Lords had missed the jump by about two lengths but did well to cover ground and finish second, with a late dash, ahead of China Pearl and Cannon Scot.
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| Trainer L.D'Silva, Mr.M.Praveen Kumar, Mr. M.Prashanth Kumar and Mr.Jayaprakash Rao Chintanippu leading in Magic Million (Deep Shanker Up), winner of The Recommander Plate |
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Girl of Love came out with a thumping win in the higher division to give Donald Netto a well deserved double. Cefiro who shared the favouritism with Girl of Love showed up first on the straight, was about two lengths in front with Colourful trying to make a race of it and Star Composer beginning to inch closer. As the three were all out to make the finish interesting, Girl of Love flew in from behind and sealed their hopes. Star Composer finished second beating Cefiro and Colourful.
The first major upset came through Chimney in the higher division of the Democracy Plate, the third race of the day. Relishing the underfoot condition, Chimney set out from the start and kicked and thwarted Grand Party’s bid in the last 100 metres.
Faiyas Shaik’s Cygnet took over the running early in the race and never looked back in the lower division of the Godavari Cup. Easy Touch was in futile chase throughout and ended up third behind Hardccore.
Indian Army took the salute in the lower division of the Democracy Plate, the concluding race of the day.
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