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The speedy Enchanting Girl made the early running and retired after taking the final bend. Exclusive Grey was tucked in behind her, and was always in front of Sugar Ray and Einstein. Prakash steered Exclusive Grey to lead into the straight, and the winner of this race was sighted a long way from home. Exclusive Grey lengthened his strides and won unextended from a late finishing Dare Don, Einstein and stablemate Star Flight. The last named was the most impressive of the lot. Vinod Shinde sat an unconcerned last till the home turn before he gave the horse his head. Star Flight came through a tightly packed field and finished on the haunches of a heavily whipped Einstein. This run indicated the well-being of Star Flight, who can be placed to win a race in the near future. Dare Don was the other one to impress. He has been an inconsistent runner who performs according to his mood on a particular race day. He is capable of creating a stir at his present mark.
This win in the day's feature gave Prakash his double for the afternoon. He had earlier scored with Karan Singh's Celtic Heroine. The three-year-old filly had never seen the board in her life. A couple of things in her favour were her poor opposition today, and her ability to tackle a longer trip. The filly had finished-on over shorter distances, and her trainer was quick to realize her capabilities. The bookmakers were intelligent enough to install her as the first favourite, but with hardly any money flowing in her direction, had no option but to increase her odds at race time to 7/1. Prakash took a smart jump from his innermost draw, and settled her in mid-group till straightening for home. He relaxed his hold on her at this stage, and the filly was quick to respond. Celtic Heroine cruised past a group of front-runners and clocked-in more than five lengths ahead of the early leader I Fancy You and New Pastures.
The other talking point at the course was the couple of successful "gambles" landed by the stable of Bipin Salvi. The stable backed Holiday Date at 4/1, while there was equal support for Alejandros, Pal Joey and Briannsta in the same race. Jockey Mahendran made full use of Holiday Date's early speed and brushed him to lead by a couple ahead of Alejandros, Pal Joey and Kandiate. He was travelling nice and easy for most of the way, and was given a reminder only in the last furlong. Holiday Date kept up the tempo and handled the seven-furlong trip comfortably. He finished clear of Mr Bureaucrat and Golden Flowers. The other victory was achieved through first timer Saddler's Glory. The youngster had got scratched on two different occasions this season. The trainer decided to campaign him in open company and chose a class IV sprint for his debut. Amar Prem and Persian Rock were the two leading contenders in this event. Suraj Narredu's mount started as an odds-on favourite. Saddlers Glory was backed quietly by those in the know. Amar Prem raced prominently in front before rocketing to the front. Saddlers Glory and Persian Rock were his closest challengers. The scene changed alarmingly in the last hundred metres. Amar Prem's three length lead began to diminish, and despite Suraj's best efforts the horse began to shorten his strides. Saddlers Glory gained ground and sizzled past the favourite with absolute ease. To the delight of their supporters, Gaurav Sapra and Saddlers Glory won comfortably.
The D Gopalaraj Urs Memorial Cup was the added attraction in the day's card. Piping hot favourite Sans Pareil made her appearance in this race. The filly had run a cracking third behind Mystic Quest in the first "Million" of the season. Based on that form, as well as the quality of her opponents today, Sans Pareil started at the prohibitive odds of 40/100. Suraj kept her in fifth place and rode her for eventual speed. The filly encountered a rough passage before she emerged through the middle and charged for home. Her powerful acceleration was much too good for Cassandra and Looking To Lead. The fancied pair of Violet Honey and Gershwin finished in the ruck.
A terms race for maiden three-year-olds produced a thrilling finish. Game Dancer and Real Magic were the two market leaders in this race. Both were known for their speed and the scurry was suited to their style of running. Gaurav Sapra took Game Dancer to the front and led till well into the straight. Gnaneshwar and Real Magic were always in close attendance. The two of them began to go away from the rest. In a close battle for supremacy, Game Dancer wore down Real Magic and emerged victorious. It is learnt that Real Magic was running after a setback in training. This run should do her a lot of good and the filly can be expected to win in the near future. Brigade's Pride finished a poor third.
The only other winner in the day's card was Nityanand's Pinaakini. The betting in this race was centred around Man United and Just Great. Both horses had the credentials to win. Pinaakini was admittedly better than this bunch, but since she had burst her blood vessels in her previous start, there was a big question mark over her head. She was the only one who was comfortable over 1,400 metres. Man United and Just Great were bred to sprint and had won over shorter trips. All these facts were proved correct during the running of this race. The two market leaders were prominent till the bend before they began to fade out. On the other hand, Pinaakini was slowest out of the gates. She trailed the field till the bend, came widest of all into the straight and won untroubled from a late finishing Paint Me Red.
