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Satish Narredu trained Tutankhamun pulled off a gutsy win over Corfe Castle in the Gr 3 1400 metres Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Sunday`s Bangalore races. Tutankhamun had always been a top performer over this trip and when in a mood to gallop, he has proved to be a tough customer. Jockey Sandesh had a rewarding day booting home three winners.
Rikki Tikki Tavi and Mauritania were the market fancies, the first named because he had run consistently in the winter classics at Hyderabad and enjoyed pull in weights. Mauritania of course on sheer performance and was the highest rated horse in the fray but the shortcoming was the fact he had not been subjected to strong workouts. The overnight rains had ensured that there was a cut in the ground and on softer surfaces, the progeny of Phoenix Tower always revel. Trevor Patel had no hesitation in taking Tutankhamun to the front and cleverly controlled the pace to his advantage. Tutankhamun had a handy lead in the stretch and the lesser fancied runner managed to keep it till passing the winning post. Corfe Castle made a late dash as is his wont and covered the ground with enormous strides but fell short in the end. Accolade continued to accumulate precious stake money by finishing third ahead of Rikki Tikki Tavi who found the distance sharp for comfort. Mauritania who raced behind the front-runner fought on, but it was clear that he needed this run. He should be seen in a better light next time out.
Padmanabhan trained Well Connected made an impressive debut in the 1200 metres Ministerial Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Backed strongly along with another debutant Star And Garter, Well Connected left the field stranded in the final furlong to record a handsome win. Jockey Sandesh could not work a favourable position early on as the field inside was crowded and he waited for his turn in the rear group before moving up on the wide outside. The progeny of Arazan produced a sparkling acceleration to leave all those in front of her way behind. Star Garter could not accelerate the way Well Connected could and but managed to snatch the second position from Palm Reader and Brothers In Arms. These three horses finished in close order albeit more than four lengths behind the winner.
The punters were at the receiving end for the most part of the day with long shots ruling the roost. Arjun Mangalorkar trained Air Command who was coming back in distance was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Chettinad Stud Plate, a race for horses rated 30 to 50 as the progeny of Air Support had performed the best over this trip. Air Command chased Spiritous in the stretch but much to the chagrin of his supporters, found the race slipping away as the front-runner kept on galloping on resolutely. Air Command finished off the frame. War Hero made a late rally to occupy the second position ahead of Wings of Desire.
The well-backed Minver Rose from the stables of trainer Prithviraj brought some relief to the punters when the five-year-old daughter of Western Aristocrat led all the way in the hands of jockey Sandesh and managed to win the 1200 metres S G Madhukar Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 45 to 65, by a comfortable margin. Louisiana who was at the back of the field produced a late rush, but it went in vain as the fancied runner had established a big lead in the final furlong. Turf Magic who shaped to give a fight to Minver Rose weakened but managed to thwart the bid of Fair Warning to save place money.
Neil Darashah trained Camila was the only on-money favourite to oblige during the day`s action. Backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1400 metres Holding Court Plate, Camila was brought into the reckoning with a furlong left in the race by Sandesh. The progeny of Net Whizz had no problem in storming clear and win with ease from Duxton who produced an eye-catching late dash to take the second position. Scarlet Princess who led charge into the stretch weakened but managed to claim the third place.
Mohican was another on-money favourite to display his true form in the 1600 metres Romantic Dance Plate, a race for horses rated 15 to 35. Mohican led in earnest but in the stretch, was under pressure to keep the lead as the long shot Prince Charmo came up with a powerful burst of speed. Prince Charmo sped past the favourite with ease to record a comprehensive win. Proudprince ran on to take the third position.
The day`s opener, the 1400 metres New Market Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category, produced an upset in keeping with the unpredictable nature of such races. Azhar Ali trained Amazing Angel produced a strong gallop in the final furlong to get past the front-running Find to record an easy win. Turf Striker who was backed spiritedly was outpaced in the stretch and could only save place money.
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Amazing Angel (Chetan Kalay S up) winner of the New Market Plate
Prince Charmo (Naveen M up) winner of the Romantic Dance Plate
Spiritous (Nazerul Alam up) winner of the Chettinad Stud Plate
Tutankhamun (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup (Gr.3)
Miniver Rose (A Sandesh up) winner of the S. G. Madhukar Memorial Trophy
Camila (A Sandesh up) winner of the Holding Court Plate
Well Connected (A Sandesh up) winner of the Ministerial Plate
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