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On being congratulated by Indiarace at the end of the day, a happy Deshmukh spoke his heart out in an exclusive chat. “I owe this success to all the 21 trainers, the jockeys, a host of owners and above all the Race Club, for having supported me when trouble erupted in my stable at the beginning of the season.” One may recollect that it was in Deshmukh’s stable that trouble broke out when the stable hands struck work and some racing correspondents had even expressed doubts about the season taking off on time.
When asked on how he had planned the day, Deshmukh replied, “With fancied runners in seven races I had expected to win three or four but seven at the end of the day, I am really happy.”
Jockey P.S. Chouhan who rode five of the winners said, ”All thanks to the trainer and my owners for giving me a head start in the season.” The other two wins were ridden by indentured apprentice P. Venkat.
Rapture of Victory, fresh from a win in Bangalore, opened the day for Deshmukh, winning the Shivkumar Lal Memorial Cup, run over a metric mile. Don Valentino was sluggish at the start but recovered quickly to join the field. On entering the straight jockey Ashhad Asbar made a quick bid on Don Valentino to surge ahead. Chouhan didn’t lose his cool and brought Rapture of Victory alongside and with a strong finish to get the better at the finish.
The Air Command Cup, for horses in the highest category, was won by Vijayrath. With the benefit of a run a fortnight ago, Vijayrath stretched out well to win from Ave Maria. While Ave Maria found the winner too good, El Paso faltered on the straight to finish fifth. Mission Chief and Bold Blast filled the frame.
Vijay Trishul and Dixie Girl won the higher and lower division of the Set Alight Plate respectively. Esperanza gained an early lead in the higher division and had a three lengths lead on entering the home stretch. Star Experience in second position at that stage started to send distress signal while Vijay Trishul was piloted confidently by Chouhan to beat Esperanza. Dixie Girl won the lower division from start to finish. Jockey Chary used everything Rio Grande had in him, midway up the straight but could not match stride with Vijay Trishul. Kathakali was withdrawn before the start.
A five-horse field took the start in the Nawab Mehdi Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup, run over 1,800 metres. Two horses, Southern Rose and Cheque De India started to fight out on the straight while the other three were a distance behind. Cheque De India surged past Southern Rose in the last 100 metres to earn a two lengths victory. Speaking to Indiarace, P.S. Chouhan said that his horse started to feel his legs near the 100 metres and had to be nursed to keep going. It was announced later that Cheque De India was found to be lame on his left fore.
Apprentice P. Venkat pitched in two wins for his master, guiding Pathfinder and Orient Glory to victory. After leading till 800 metres, Venkat let One One One to pass him and he preferred to settle his mount in second, in the Sunny Blossom Plate. With two furlongs left Pathfinder cruised into the lead and was never threatened by the rest although Vijays Famme tried her best in second. The Himalayas and Chameli filled the frame.
Orient Glory claimed the lower division of the Thungabhadra Plate with a sweat less effort. Orient Glory registered his second straight win this season with a smart timing over the distance of 1000 metres. Pure Magic finished second eight lengths behind.
Fabulous Crown and Armada, the two market fancies fought out in the higher division of the Thungabhadra Plate, the concluding race of the day. Armada came on strongly within the last 100 metres to push back Fabulous Crown to the second place. The top weight of 61 kilograms may have turned out to be his undoing for Fabulous Crown who was unlucky for the second time this season.
