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The field, which was reduced to ten, set out on the 2400-metre trip in a slow pace with Leave It To Me leading the way. With a clear advantage till the last 800 metres, David Allan gave a breather near the final bend and put the daughter of Placerville and Forest Fantasy in top gear on entering the straight. Mystic Conquest, who went into the race as the firm favourite was unlucky not to get her stride well in the race. The ‘bit’ on Mystic Quest had slipped during the race and as jockey Prakash tried his best to correct it by pulling his mount to the right, the ‘bit’ had come out fully and Mystic Quest had to be guided only with the help of the reins from 1,200 metres onwards. Running about six off the fence, Mystic Quest, took the final turn seven wide and managed to finish second, a length and a quarter behind the winner. The local challenger, Ave Maria, finished a noteworthy third and she should be getting into the winning bracket soon in this season.
Aprillia did Kunigal Farm proud, winning the Byerly Turk Stakes, a group III race which was the supporting event on Sunday. The manner in which he won was very similar to his first win at Bangalore. Sizzling past Vijay Damini and Rosemead midway up the home stretch, Aprillia stretched out magnificently with the rest of the field being no match to his strides. With two smashing wins in two outings, this son of Burden of Proof, owned by Dr. & Mrs.Vijay Mallya, will be heard more often in the years to come.
Sparks, the winner of the Monsoon Derby made a smashing appearance in the Sri. A.S. Krishna Memorial Cup, run over 2,200 metres. Held back in the last position as Adamant Approach made all the running in front, jockey T.G. Mclaughlin brought his ward around the field and toyed with the field, while pulverizing them. Reconnect was not able to produce that extra bit and finished second, just managing to get the better of Adamant Approach towards the finish. This win of Sparks will give his connections more confidence and is likely to run as the favourite in the Vijay Textiles Golconda Derby Stakes, to run on the 31st of January, 2010.
While the favourite Mystical Heights had it easy in the higher division of the Summer Snow Plate, for maiden three year- olds, lesser fancied Moheena won the lower division in a scintillating four horse finish. Ashleen State was in front right from the start, as Moheena, Lambourn and Young Soldier started to inch closer with every stride in the final 100 metres. The four, went past the winning post locked together, with jockey Harish managing to put Moheena’s nose in front to win the race. Lambourn took the second spot ahead of Ashleen State and Young Soldier, the first four covered within half a length. Oscar Royal dropped the rider immediately after jumping out.
Fire Bender and Geography were permitted to be withdrawn and the field in the Rishikonda Cup was reduced to twelve. Narayan Rao’s Chemeli sprang a surprise, winning the race with a late burst beating Leading Light, Zambo Anga, Achiever and Anemometer close home.
The favourite Dancing Harbour had a commanding lead of about six lengths, passing the distance post, in the Salarjung Cup but the Netto trainee started to shorten her stride rapidly and Onera Onera Onera took advantage and sped past to win.
Netto’s Green Haven won the higher division of the Roman Beauty Plate. Mayfair Girl, positioned in about eighth, turning for home, warmed up late to take the runner up berth. King Size won the lower division from his only challenger Firebird. The rest were many lengths behind.
Narayan Rao and Vivek combined to score a double while jockey David Allan had a fruitful afternoon with two wins which included Leave It To Me in the Golconda Oaks.
