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K P G Appu trained Jersey Wonder won the 2000 metres Chief Minister`s Trophy, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Saturday`s Bangalore races in a thrilling three-horse finish. Viscount who had recorded a tremendous win after missing action for more than 600 days was widely expected to have it easy judging by the short price quoted on his success but the got-abroad went down fighting, perhaps his frail legs also playing a part in a tight encounter.
Viscount ran as Gestapo but possibly the connections changed the name of the horse because of the negative connotation that the name carries. Gestapo abbreviation of Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police), was known for brutal suppression of opposition during the Nazi regime. Viscount`s last win after being kept out of the track due to a tendon issue was so brilliant that many considered him to be a serious contender even for this year`s Invitation Cup at Kolkata. He was not expected to have any difficulty in winning the feature event as he was favoured by the terms of the race as well. But in racing it has time and again been proved that horses which carry hype even before they achieve tend to prove everyone wrong and so it was with Viscount. It was not that Viscount did not run a good race, it is just that he was not invincible as was perceived both by race-goers and the bookmakers whose odds were miserly.
Book Jones was a willing pacemaker as he has always liked to make his own pace and then hope to outstay the rest. Srinath had Booker Jones lead from the rest with Viscount in a handy second position ahead of the rest while Trevor Patel preferred to keep Jersey Wonder in the rear position ahead of Fabulous. Blazing Touch was unable to stay in touch even with the last horse. Booker Jones led the field into the final furlong before Viscount took charge. However, Viscount could not break free and came under intense pressure from Fabulous on the wide outside and Jersey Wonder who made his way between these two horses. The three charged at the winning post with Jersey Wonder snatching the verdict by the proverbial whisker over Fabulous and Viscount. Booker Jones who was conceding weight to all his adversaries weakened to finish fourth.
Prithviraj trained Regal Music had recorded an impressive win last time out and on the basis of that effort, looked outstanding against a jaded lot of opposition in the 1200 metres Topmost Plate, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Apprentice jockey Darshan pushed Regal Music to take over the running from the start and the progeny of Green Coast had enough speed and legs to stay clear of top-weighted Mickey Mouse who was the only horse in chase of the front-runner. Super Success saved place money.
Neil Darashah trained New Moon was spot on for the 1200 metres Infants Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. New Moon bolted to the front from the jump out and the others could not pace with the favourite who skipped clear in the straight to record a handsome win. Tyto Alba rallied well along the rails to snatch the runner-up berth from Areca Angel and Kanashni by a whisker.
Srinath, slow starts, falls at the gate have generated enough heat in the past for all the negative reasons. This time out, last start winner from trainer Darius Byramji`s yard Dazzling Beauty was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1600 metres Dharmasthala Plate, a race for horses rated 15 to 35. The horse was not just slow in her jump out but literally slept at the gates and had to be woken up to get going! The favourite lost huge ground at the start which meant that there was no chance of recovery to even finish on the frame. The quietly fancied Azhar Ali ward Nitromax held her ground in the front and stayed clear of So Mi Dar to land the spoils. Casey ran on to finish third.
Ganapathy trained Star Incarnation had gone down fighting over a sprint. Now over the extended trip of 2000 metres which suited him fine, the progeny of Excellent Art fought out with Masada to win the Bharachukki Plate, a race for horses rated 45 to 65. Aaron The Baron was widely expected to figure at the finish, but he gave a disappointing performance.
Prithviraj Raj trained Minver Rose who was well positioned with the pace-setting Bora Bora, quickened well for home to land the spoils in a tight finish in the 1100 metres K S Premchand Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 30 to 50. Chemical Romance and Lady Barrington who did not get a clear run early on in the race, charged home with powerful efforts but the winning post came to the rescue of the front-runner who prevailed by a narrow margin. Narayan Gowda trained Hidden Solider who hadn`t won for 1058 days, suddenly decided to give shock treatment to everyone when he literally bolted in to win the lower division of the race in emphatic fashion. What was interesting to note was that the horse was available at 40 to 1 on win on tote while for place, it only offered 17/10!. Whatever the intent, the horse proved his impatience with the long wait! Takisha and Ewandor occupied the next two slots while there was no sign of Eye Sign.
Inayathullah trained Quick Action obliged a quiet touch when winning the 1200 metres Jog Falls Plate, a race for horses rated 0 to 25. Galeno broke clear in the final furlong and shaped to win but faltered close home which enabled Quick Action to overhaul the front-runner close home. The heavily backed Internal Affair made a late charge but had to be satisfied with the third slot.
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New Moon (Suraj Narred up) winner of the Infants Plate
Nitromax (Arshad Alam up) winner of the Dharmasthala Plate
Star Carnation (A Imran Khan up) winner of the Bharachukki Plate
Miniver Rose (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the K S Premchand Memorial Trophy (Div-I)
Jersey Wonder (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Chief Minister`S Trophy
Regal Music (Darshan R N up) winner of the Topmost Plate
Hidden Soldier (Rajesh Kumar M up) winner of the K S Premchand Memorial Trophy (Div-II)
Quick Action (Vivek up) winner of the Jog Falls Plate
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