|
Alaska hit the front at breakneck speed, working up a runaway lead. Takestwototango headed the others. Alaska entered the straight with a handy lead but Takestwototango started to bridge the gap effortlessly, still on a tight leash. There was no doubt that the Nosher Cama filly would outclass the rest and she did exactly that running away from the rest in an emphatic fashion. Neeraj Rawal only guided her and did little else. This was her second victory in as many starts and she looks capable of adding more in Pune as well.
Trainer Faisal Abbas had a successful day when he started on a winning note and added two more by the end of the day saddling a well-backed treble. San Rafael (Major Impact – New Europe) started the trend by posting a come-from-behind victory over the five-furlong scurry. Chak De entered the straight with a handy lead and San Rafael was in fifth and improving with every stride. San Rafael caught up with the leader about 300 m from the wire and once he appeared on the scene, the others simply paled. San Rafael bounded forward and sailed clear of the rest posting a comfortable victory. Manitou Splendour did well to peg back Chak De close home.
Check Her Out (Bee’s Prospector – Dancing Dreams) dominated her rivals and won in the most convincing manner with apprentice Roushan making all the right moves. Crème De La Crème shot into the lead and Check Her Out was right there behind along with Monarchos. Roushan then steered the Abbas filly ahead while taking the turn and marched ahead to build a sizable lead soon on turning for home. Check Her Out was home and dry even as they passed the distance post and there was no threat in sight. Major Wager ran a tame second just managing to pull back Crème De La Crème on the wire.
Su Chaliyo (Royal Kingdom – Bajo Grande) lived up to his last start promise and galloped to an impressive maiden victory under the guidance of KPG Appu. Taking a smart jump, Su Chaliyo when ahead, was overtaken by Alice Springs and Showstopper. On turning for home, Appu tried to take the gap on the inside of Showstopper and quickly realized that he might fall for the oldest trap. Sure enough, Showstopper moved inward sealing the space within, Appu by then had shown great presence of mind and switched Su Chaliyo on to the outside. It was obvious that Appu was a wee bit alarmed in the manner that he jerked the filly, but he soon regained composure and from then on, it was smooth sailing. Showstopper made it look like hard work for Su Chaliyo by sticking on alongside, but Su Chaliyo always enjoyed the upper hand. Alice Springs had a good, educative run and is for your notebooks for referral when she runs next.
Dear Liza (Glory of Dancer – Incentive) notched up her third victory this season, her first in Class II. Ecstatica probably missed Srinath in the saddle. Ecstatica eased into the lead soon on turning for home and only had Dear Liza lurking dangerously behind. The rest were well taken care of. Midway up the straight, Dear Liza crept alongside Ecstatica who came under severe pressure and although the verdict was only a short-head, Dear Liza dominated her adversary in the final few strides. Jockey Prakash got the best out of the SS Shah trainee, judging the race to perfection.
White Knight (Placerville – Shamaal) was powered by jockey Dashrath Singh to a hard-fought victory. Going for it start to finish, the race got to a boil in the homestretch as Snow Queen challenged White Knight just past the 400. Snow Queen headed the leader briefly but failed to quicken as she did last time. De Nada, meanwhile, started to warm up and in the final furlong mounted a fierce challenge. White Knight stood up to the fiery challenge and bravely withstood a grave assault managing to stay ahead by the skin of his teeth at the wire.
Perfect Strength (Mr Mellon – Zarzuela) pulled off a smooth gamble at lucrative odds with a handsome victory. Racing in the rear until the turn, Perfect Strength made brisk progress entering the straight. Lusty had led them all the way into the stretch and was still going well with a handy lead. Green Signal and Urban Warrior, the top two market fancies, were making little headway while Lusty was able to maintain a safe distance from these two. Perfect Strength then produced a strong gallop and darted past Lusty with tremendous power.
For the professionals, trainer Faisal Abbas saddled a treble and Jockey KPG Appu scored a double.
