Ashwa Paarth Sets a New Course Record |
| Ashwa Paarth set a new course record en route to lift the Sohna Stud Million at the Delhi races on Tuesday. Trainer Aleem Khan completed a quadruple through Rawsom, Real Speed, Successor and Dazzling Flame. Another professional jockey Rajinder won two events. Coincidentally, Ontario-bred horses dominated the proceedings of the 17th day of the winter meeting by annexing four races in a row. A keen tussle for the title between Ashwa Paarth and Rock It was on the card. But the way Uday Bhan Singh-trained Ashwa Paarth left the latter gasping for breath became the talk of the day. Breaking out quickly, he never allowed anyone to come even under his shadow, and casually broke a year-old turf record of the top-class runner Senegal. He took only 1 m 4.79 seconds to cover the five-and-a-half furlong trip. The previous record was of 1 m 5.16 seconds. Incidentally, Ashwa Paarth (Ontario - Chain Reaction) became the second best horse in Indian racing after Char Bahar (1:4.3 seconds in 1998) of Kolkata to complete the course under 1 m and five seconds. The Mrs Anita Chauhan-owned horse also proved that over shorter distance he is unbeatable. Two "million' races already under the belt, Ashwa Paarth may now eye other big events. The day's supporting event, Ontario Plate, saw Successor (Rajinder atop) achieving success in spite of a massive impost of 62 kg. The chestnut gelding (Ontario - Lakes of Killarney), who started his career in Mumbai before landing in Delhi, is expected to be nominated for the Super Mile Cup at the Invitation weekend. Earlier, Rajinder's hard work on Rawsom paid dividends against Kohinoor Beauty in the senior division of the Top Glad Plate. A habit of shying in passing the front-running horses may be one of the reasons for the narrow defeat of Kohinoor Beauty. The day's beginner, Rafah Plate, saw Fiorella making a stunning victory over 1,400m. The filly enabled trainer Sartaj Singh to lead-in his victor after a gap of five years. Provence, who played the second fiddle, should make amends. Real Speed recorded a surprising victory in the lower division of the Top Glad Plate. She ran nowhere in the races held last week. Trusted Friend finally tasted victory in the upper division of the Conquering Hero Plate. However, he should be thankful to Outstanding's jockey who hardly showed any enthusiasm during the closing stages. Finally, it was the turn of Dazzling Flame (who did not figure on the board last week) to cause an upset in the day's concluding event. |
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