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The afternoon's highlight was the riding performance of Imran Chisty. He rode a pair of winners for Arjun Mangalorkar before completing a treble astride Nityanand's Pinaakini in the concluding race of the day. While money-back favourite Astounding Gallop gave him an armchair ride to victory, the young professional had to use his skills astride Shotgunn and Pinaakini. Shotgunn was galloping comfortably on the rails before he was covered by Sweet Surrender. With Tanzanite coming fast on the wider outside and wresting the issue, Imran was caught in no-mans land. Realizing his hopeless situation, he waited for a moment before pulling Shotgunn towards the centre of the track. The half-money favourite responded by taking the gap and powering away from Tanzanite and a late finishing Greenbro. Shotgunn is sure to win another race before the end of the season, as he was looking extremely well in the parade ring.
Imran Chisty had reserved his best for the end. Riding 10/1 shot Pinaakini in a class IV sprint for horses four years old and over, he showed a lot of grit and determination. Amit Caddy's Time Flies was the rage in this race and was backed to the exclusion of his rivals. Jockey Stephane was a picture of confidence on the favourite as the runners made their way towards the home turn. Little Splendour was being niggled to stay ahead of a hard-held Time Flies, while Pinaakini and Shot Of Gold raced a few lengths behind them. The entire scene changed suddenly. Time Flies led momentarily before stopping in his tracks, thus allowing Pinaakini and Shot Of Gold to go ahead. After a solid battle for supremacy, a beaten Pinaakini dug deep into her reserves and responded to Imran's urgings. She got up on the last two strides to put her neck in front of a tired Shot Of Gold. She's For Cash ended a tame third.
This victory of Pinaakini completed a quick double for trainer Nityanand. Three year-old Oceanic Wind (Mr Mellon-Always Certain) opened his account for the season. The 100/1 rank outsider stunned a bunch of well bred horses, and gained her maiden success. Jockey Mark was able to rouse her near the bend. Hot favourite Ailsa, who had led and stopped after entering the straight, was seen plodding to finish off the frame. Oceanic Wind wove her way through a group of tired horses, and powered away to a splendid victory. Fame and Glory and Natural Force came from the tail end of the pack to take the minor placings. Padmanabhan's well-bred Duchess Of York (Burden Of Proof- Lyrical Bid) ran prominently till the bend before retiring from the scene.
A Class II sprint produced the most thrilling finish of the day. There were numerous runners fancied in this race. Dream Park, Flaming Lamborgini, Still Will, Caprioska and Alpha Baby were fancied strongly by their respective yards. While Alpha Baby, Caprioska and Flaming Lamborgini took advantageous positions at the head of the field, Still Will and Dream Park were seen getting knocked around at the back. The apprentice boys astride these two horses were finding it difficult to move forward. While Khurshad got stuck with Still Will on the rails, Zervan was lucky to find some room for his filly. It goes to the credit of Neil Darashah's Dream Park that she raised a fluent gallop and began to devour ground on the wide outside. Zervan guided her to a close victory over Alpha Baby, Flaming Lamborgini and Still Will. Only a length covered these four runners, with the last three being separated by a couple of short heads.
The only other race in the day's card was won by Lokanath's Kickingking. As a four year old, this horse had been campaigned in numerous Classics. Needless to mention that he used to grace the wrong of the field in all those races. He was accordingly relegated to the lowest class. Kickingking had let down an army of supporters, when he had burst a blood vessel while flopping as a favourite during winter. Lokanath gave him a long rest and allowed him to have an easy run on the opening day of this season. He claimed an allowance on this horse today, by entrusting him to Zervan. The boy got an opportunity to win his second race of the afternoon, and he accomplished it in style. Kickingking came with a flourish from the back, and sailed past a bunch of helpless opponents. Yes I Can was the best of the rest. The winner showed that he has scope to improve on this performance.
