| |
In racing, hype kills, and following performance rewards. And so, it proved yet again when punters blindly went for debutant Francis Bacon to make a winning debut against experienced horses in the Gr 3 Alcock Arabian Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Monday`s Hyderabad races. They ended up paying a heavy price as last start winner Blazer swamped the opposition while Francis Bacon never looked the part making many wonder how such hype could be created on a debutant. Jockey Akshay Kumar and Trevor Patel shared the riding honours with three winners each in the card of seven events.
Artistry led the field from the start followed by Royal Ruby, Francis Bacon Sporting Smile and Blazer bringing up the rear. Artistry battled on resolutely in front even as Francis Bacon showed up briefly only to fade out. In the meanwhile, jockey Trevor Patel brought Blazer on the wide outside with a powerful effort and the progeny of Lucifer Sam pounced on the front-runners and had them stranded in the final furlong. Artistry stayed on to take the second position ahead of Francis Bacon while Royal Ruby was fourth with Sporting Smile finishing a dismal last.
Once again Hilton Sequeira trained One One One let down her supporters in the 1200 metres Red Knight Plate, a race for horses rated 42 to 62. One is not sure whether she needs more ground or not but on both the occasions she failed, she was required to cover much ground in the final furlong. Stablemate Long Range who was handily placed going into the final 300 meters, stormed ahead and had no problem in retaining a comfortable lead when One One One came up with the patented late burst of speed. Classy Guy who did the front-running till overhauled stayed on to take the third position.
Trainer Srinivas Reddy had a back to back double. In the day`s opener, Pontius Pilate won the 1200 metres Delhi Race Club Plate, a race for three-year-olds in fine fashion. Trevor had Pontius Pilate lead from the start and though the front-runner was briefly challenged by favourite Versailles in the stretch, the progeny of Verenar showed enough resolution to storm clear to win in an excellent timing of one minute 10.935 seconds. Her Legacy was third.
Darshish was heavily supported to win the 1400 metres Kaleshwaram Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 26 to 46. Jockey Akshay Kumar who is always known to be in earnest with the job had Darshish in a favourable position till midway in the stretch before having the favourite take charge. Darshish established a good cushion and was in no danger of being caught up by the late-finishing Royal Avenger. Vashishta saved place money. Srinivas Reddy trained Dandy Man won the lower division of the race in dramatic fashion. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, Dandy Man lost considerable ground at the start and looked to be out of contention. But Akshay Kumar patiently worked his way and packed punch in his finishing efforts which enabled the favourite to get the better of lesser fancied Moka who had gone marginally ahead in the shadow of the post. Soul Empress was a close third.
The strongly fancied Nazariya from the stables of Laxman Singh took charge of the proceedings within the first two furlongs of the 2000 meters Ballerina Star Plate, a race for horses rated up to 30 and battled on strongly to thwart the bid of favourite Actually to land the spoils. Recumbentibus was third a few lengths adrift. Trevor was astride the winner.
Robin Reddy trained Secretary built on the good forward run to record her maiden win in 14 outings in the 1200 metres King`s Crown Plate, a race for horses rated 26 to 46. Kuldeep Singh took Secretary on a start to finish mission and the lesser fancied runner barely managed to survive the late onslaught of favourite Tokyo Jam who fell short by a neck. Southern Meteor was third.
*******************
Pontius Pilate (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Delhi Race Club Plate
Darshish (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Kaleshwaram Cup (Div-I)
Nazariya (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Ballerina Star Plate
Dandy Man (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Kaleshwaram Cup (Div-II)
Long Range (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Red Knight Plate
Blazer (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Alcock Arabian Million (Gr.3)
Secretary (Kuldeep Singh up) winner of the King`S Crown Plate
|
|
Top
