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Walnut Creek won the higher division of the S.S. Cardmaster Memorial Cup, while Vijay Damini justified the cramped odds in the lower division. Jockey Ch. K. Chary, who is engaged to ride for D’Silva’s stable this season, took the money-back favourite to the front, from the start and stretched out effortlessly to register a clear win. Jewel in the Crown was the most impressive amongst the beaten brigade, finishing second with a late run.
Vijay Damini also won in similar fashion, from start to finish but the rider P.S. Chouhan was found to be looking back in anxiety inside the final furlong. With no threat emerging from behind, Vijay Damini cruised to the winning post. Winning Strides finished second ahead of Enhancement.
A good gamble on Golden Queen was encashed in the Look of Eagles Cup. Jockey Rupesh on the winner didn’t find it difficult to pass the fighting duo of Da Xia and Power Colors midway up the straight.
The Guntur Plate for maiden horses was divided into two races and both the divisions were won by horses that made the early running. The opening race of the day, which was the higher division was won by SK Kasam-trained My Tyson. After taking a good jump, My Tyson established a commanding lead and was never headed. Dixie Bell was in futile chase throughout, while Rio Grande moved on to finish third. Gold Plus was withdrawn after she refused to get stalled.
The grey filly, Firstandforemost ran true to her name and upset the calculations of Star Experience in the lower division. Star Experience, who was put to test on the straight, came under tremendous pressure while Firstandforemost galloped merrily in front. Retaliate finished a tame third.
Trainer R.H. Sequeira, who was granted a trainer’s licence this season, led in his first winner, Metaforce. Running in the Div.I of the Subash Chandra Bose Plate, Metaforce was installed as half-money favourite. Setting out in front from the start, jockey Rupesh had an armchair ride, drawing away by eight lengths. Kansas City Mac managed to finish second ahead of Sparkling Sapphire.
Ananth Vatsalya’s Palace Affairs romped home in the lower division beating the well-supported Southern Spice to second place. With the advantage of an allowance of five kilograms, Palace Affairs established a big leeway on entering the straight and even though Imran brought Southern Spice into contention, the asking was too large and had to be content with the runner-up berth. Mystic Impact and Greet Well filled the frame.
Apprentice P. Venkat, who has been the pick of the new lot thus far, stuck to instructions and guided Orient Glory to an easy win in the Ananthpur Plate, the concluding race of the day. Aspire finished second, well ahead of Friendly Equation and Rose Queen. The rider of fourth placed Rose Queen raised an objection against Friendly Equation for crossing near the 250 metres which was upheld by the stewards and the order of placing was reversed.
On a day when five firm favourites obliged in a card of nine races, jockey R. Rupesh led with three winners while trainers Laxman Singh and L.V.R. Deshmukh got a brace each.
