Set Alight whose impeccable record was marred by two defeats, found her winning shoes, winning the richly endowed President of India Gold Cup (Grade I). The daughter of Razeen – Set Aside, had never been over 2,000 metres in her illustrious career and was being tested over 2,400 metres for the first time. Her defeat in the Indian Derby, and again in the Nizam’s Gold Cup here just four weeks ago, had cast apprehensions on her present form. Padmanabhan, who crossed winning 100 group races during the recently concluded Bangalore Summer, had found Hyderabad to be his lucky hunting ground, wrapping up the Fillies Stakes, the Colts Stakes and the Nizam’ Gold Cup. His ward Noble Prince was pitched against Set Alight, Arabian Knight and Abs Fabs in the race.
| |
 |
| Set Alight winning the President of India Gold Cup (Gr.I) |
|
|
Going into the race, Arabian Knight was followed by Abs Fabs, Noble Prince and Set Alight right from the start and the order, in a single file, followed up to the top of the straight. As they showed up on the straight, Arabian Knight packed up and Abs Fabs who was in tow, grabbed the lead momentarily. Set Alight showed tremendous turn of foot, for which she was always known, and it was indeed a delight to watch her action, moving smooth as silk, to claim the race in a decisive manner. The jockey, Christopher Alford, had little to do on the wonder filly, who was sighted a winner with two furlongs left. Noble Prince finished second just ahead of Abs Fabs.
Pesi Shroff, who looked relieved after the race, expressed that the dice was not rolling for him, finishing second on most of his fancied runners in recent times. Further speaking to Indiarace about the filly, he said, “She is a very nice filly and I think everyone feels the same. She is in everyone’s heart and that’s the reason why so much was discussed when she finished second twice.”
The supporting event of the day, the Soli and Gool Poonawalla Memorial Gold Trophy was won by Satheesh trained Come Together in a three-way-finish. The bottom-weighted Come Together slipped through the shortest way and fought out the final furlong with Sprucespringstien before holding on by a head at the finish. Spy Mate made rapid progress in the last 100 metres and joined the two for a photo finish.
| |
 |
Mr Zeyn Mirza receiving The President of
India Gold Cup (Gr.I) |
|
|
The Alluri Seethama Raju Trophy, which was incidentally the first leg of the jackpot pool, was won by S. Habeebullah’s Fabulous Crown in a stunning upset. On a start-to-finish trip, Fabulous Crown kicked on gamely on the straight and One Mission was once again given a tall task by the rider, who fell short by 3/4ths of a length after covering almost four lengths in the last 100 metres. Habituated, in second position throughout, finished third behind One Mission. Proud Accolade was withdrawn near the gates as one of his shoe came off.
Vittal Deshmukh continued his winning streak, leading in two winners and he was the only professional to do so. Vijay’s Angel relished the underfoot condition after the thundershower before the start of the race and won the Half a Crown Cup by a wide margin. Jaan Baaz finished second while Bharadvij put in a late gallop to finish third.
Wayne Smith rode out Mayfair Girl in the Poondla Venku Reddy Golconda Trophy to give Vittal his double. Available at nourishing odds, Mayfair Girl got the better of Chiquelle, Global Emperor and Scubario after a fierce battle with them on the straight. Firebird ran in to finish second from a virtual last position. Global Emperor held on in third ahead of Chiquelle. The favourite Scubario finished fifth.
Metaforce cut a smart timing in the Delhi Plate, the opening race of the day. Pavarotti finished second for the fourth time this season.
See You There with a good dash beat Danzsingh in the concluding race, the Epsom Plate. While See You There and Dash of Class missed the jump by about two to three lengths, Feudal Lords and Ruben Stein were in the gates for some time and jumped out late.
|
