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Leading jockey of the Winter Season, Imran Khan, was the ‘Man on Fire’ on the opening day, booting home a popular treble. Power Play from K. Satheesh’s stable lifted the lower division of the Act in Time Plate. Imran kept Power Play a handy fourth till the final bend and slipped in along the inner rails as the field straightened up. The 10-to-6 ‘on-money’ favourite stretched out well to score an impressive win. Al Jameel and Amontillado warmed up late to occupy the minor placing.
Imran’s strong handling enabled Man on Fire to land the spoils in the higher division. Zoheb Shaikh’s trainee shot through midway up the straight, took charge and won decisively. Indian Army, who was sighted at the wrong end of the field even at the 600 metres, covered almost a street to pip Allegation for the second place.
Earlier in the day, Imran had started off the season with a runaway victory on Young Soldier. Second in demand at the betting, Young Soldier made every post a winning one, finding himself a clear nine lengths in front of the next best. Cascading Glory and Aficionado fought out for the minor placing.
L. D’Silva’s pursuit for another monsoon championship may not have got the start he would have desired but nevertheless his score at the end of the day stood at two. Aficionado and Art Connoisseur, who were summered at Bangalore, were widely expected to come up trumps in their respective races. While Aficionado finished a tame third to Young Soldier in the opening race, Art Connoisseur put in a dismal performance in the Nelston Cup. Flowers of Music made it a start-to-finish affair as Armador chased the winner on the straight. Art Connoisseur, who looked to be lost in the field, managed to finish third.
D’Sliva’s Petrodura produced a good run in the final furlong to win the lower division of the Welcome Plate. The speedy Sorbitrate ventured out in front from the start but began to shorten his stride approaching the distance marker. With a powerful ride, Chary was able to clear the wire three lengths in front of Key Note. Sorbitrate took the third spot ahead of Chayanandan.
Leading Light earned Leo his double, winning the lower division of the Wandering Star Plate. With fortunes changing repeatedly on the straight, it was the public fancy, Caligatae, to be the first to assume charge and raise hopes. However, that was not to be as the top-weighted Fabulous Crown shot ahead and looked to pull off an upset. Leading Light had missed the jump by almost three lengths and was found to be travelling second last. While 250 metres from the winning post, the speedster produced a late burst of speed to zip past the field and get the race in the shadow of the winning post.
Young trainer, Faisal Hassan, returned home a happy man with a grand double. Splendid Act wrapped up the higher division of the Wandering Star Plate with apprentice P. Venkat, while P.S. Chouhan scored an impressive win on Anguna in the Fond Hope Plate. Lone Ranger had hit the front on top of the straight but failed to stay on when Splendid Act, Kohinoor King and One in All started to challenge. Splendid Act picked up speed in the last 100 metres to emerge clear while Kohinoor King and One in All continued their fight and finished in that order. The saddle of One in All had shifted on the straight and the rider went down after crossing the winning post.
P.S. Chouhan on Anguna had the measure of comfort from Vigoroso in the concluding race.
Aslam Kader in new role: Veteran jockey Aslam Kader has taken up a new assignment as the racing manager for Col. S.B. Nair and Dr. Ravi Chowdary at Hyderabad. The vast experience of Aslam will now be put to test at this centre and it is believed by many as a step towards starting his second innings as a professional.
