She’s ‘Above The Line’
By Mirror Image

Hyderabad, Saturday , 10th October , 2009
Leo’s Above The Line won her fourth title this season, when she lifted the S. Rangarajan Memorial Cup, run over six furlongs. The daughter of Steinback is in rousing form this monsoon, having won four times and finishing third on two occasions, out of her six appearances. She will in all probability walk away with the ‘horse on the season’ crown. Zycon had shot into the lead early in the race and was closely tracked by Dancing Touch and Above The Line as the field began to turn for home. Jockey Harish who waited with his mount, brought her alongside Zycon, and quickened in a flash to win impressively. Chief De Mission did well to finish third.

 
Above the Line winning The S Rangarajan Memorial Cup
 
D’Silva scored a treble in a card of eight races, confirming his supremacy at this centre during the monsoons. The win of Ride to Glory, in the higher division of the Prince Regent Plate, was a gift of sorts. Royal Tune won the race on the track but was subsequently disqualified. The race was marred by an accident resulting in the fall of three jockeys. As the field was passing the 800 metres, Royal Tune, who was till then travelling about five horses adrift from the fence, began to shift in, thereby hindering the running of Fire Blaze. Fire Blaze clipped Royal Tune, stumbled and fell down on the ground. Toledo who was just behind Fire Blaze could not avoid and crashed against the fallen Fire Blaze resulting in a nasty fall. Ravinder Singh on Sir Almas pulled his mount away from the two fallen horses, lost his balance and got dislodged. While jockey Ravinder Singh escaped with minor bruises, R. Umesh, who was on Fire Blaze, is suspected to have fractured his collarbone. N.M. Sequeira (up Toledo) is still reported to be in a serious condition, suspected of internal injuries. Fire Blaze was put to sleep on humanitarian grounds.

There was more drama on the straight in the race. With the favourite, Victorous Sally in the lead, Harish brought Ride to Glory alongside and got so close that Rupesh on Victorous Sally had to check his mount badly, to avoid being unseated, lost both his legs from the stirrup and finished fourth. Had Rupesh taken an objection, it would have in all probability gone in his favour, considering the severity of the offence.

The Stewards lost no time in hoisting the blue cone, ordering an enquiry into the running of the race. After due deliberations the stewards decided to disqualify Royal Tune, originally placed first, holding the rider N. Rawal guilty of dangerous riding, resulting in the falls and the revised order was announced, Ride to Glory being declared the winner.

 
Trainer L D'Silva and Mr. Surender Singh Makhija leading Above the Line (Harish Up), winner of The S.Rangarajan Memorial Cup
 
In an enquiry held after the races, the stewards have suspended Jockey Harish from riding from 20th October 2009 to 1st November 2009 for careless riding on Ride To Glory. With the Invitational Race Day scheduled for October the 25th, Harish will be out of action on that day. The Stewards also decided to suspend Jockey N. Rawal from 20th October 2009 to 15th November 2009 for dangerous riding on Royal Tune.

Leo had earlier won on Grand Rapids in the higher division of the Charminar Trophy. Grand Rapids and Greek Fire swooped on the leader Caligatae on top of the straight and the former quickened at the right moment to register his second successive victory.

Anupam Sharma’s Suchiman justified the favouritism in the lower division, beating Menlo Park to the second slot. Gallant Prince ran on in third position.

Nandanvanaa made her way from a second last position near the final bend to come around the field and grab the lead at the distance marker and win in the Camino Cup. Secret Asset made a vain bid quite late and took the runner up berth. Preston Bailey, who got a lot of support in the betting ring before the race, finished a tame third.

The winning post came to the rescue of Top Shape in the P. Antony Memorial Plate, the opening race of the day. R.B. Shinde decided to take his mount, Top Shape, into the front as the field passed the 1,200 metres marker and opened up a lead of about five lengths on the straight. Try Me Today, who had jumped out awkwardly losing about two lengths, improved his position and decided to take on Top Shape in the last 150 metres, making up rapid ground but falling short by half a length at the wire.

Satheesh’s Pure Magic sprang a surprise in the lower division of the Prince Regent Plate. Placing herself in an advantageous position along the rails early in the race, Pure Magic shot ahead on the straight and quickened well when challenged by Cool Spice and Sprint Champ.

Sparkling Sapphire won the last race of the day and had to survive an objection raised by the rider of second placed Pavarotti for taking his ground in the last 150 metres and bumping 50 metres from home. For Pavarotti this was the fifth time he has finished second in as many races this season.

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