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Satheesh trained Likewise benefitted from the good forward that she had and swamped the opposition in the 1800 metres Speaker`s Cup, a race for horses rated 74 and above, the feature event of Sunday`s Hyderabad races. Though Air Strike was backed to beat Like Wise, the latter proved that she was infinitely superior in class as she came from a long way back in the stretch with a blistering turn of foot and took a stranglehold over the race.
Air Strike had more takers than the better performed Like Wise in the betting ring. Magical Skill set a fast pace for the stablemate Like Wise with Found Money, Western Wind, Air Strike, Ashwa Raftar and Like Wise following in the order mentioned. Magical Skill led the field into the final 300 metres when the race came to the boil. Even before Magical Skill began to weaken Like Wise had stormed ahead and went away for a comprehensive win. Air Strike managed to nose out Found Money in the final stride of the race to get the runner-up berth.
Faisal Hassan trained Southern Crown had run second in his last outing which suggested that he would make amends in the very next run itself. It was not a surprise to see one-sided betting coming for his success in the 1200 metres King Rama Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 42 to 62. Apprentice jockey Md Ismail took Southern Crown on a start to finish mission and in the straight when the other runners crowded him, he skipped clear to win by a comfortable margin of two lengths over Gorgeous Lady. Shandaar edged out Marina Del Rey to get the third position. The lower division of the race was won by Robin Reddy trained Ashka Ashka Ashka who got the better of Warrior Supreme in the closing moments of the race in the hands of newly licensed apprentice Abhay Singh who thus got his first career win. Ashka Ashka Ashka had been running consistently and her win was not entirely unexpected though the lack of support in the betting ring was a surprise. Yanga was well supported to win though the trip was sharp and the four-year-old raced prominently but was outpaced in the stretch and finished third.
Satyanarayana trained Curcumin brought off a big upset in the 1400 metres Golden Dagger Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 26 to 46. The win came against the run of expectations. Vittal Deshmukh trained Amazing Script was widely expected to pull it off but the favourite faltered in the final furlong when Curcumin essayed a strong challenge and had to settle for the second slot. Soul Empress was a close third. Hilton Sequeira trained Ace Ace Ace had the benefit of a forward run and the strong support for his success in the lower division of the race was not a surprise. Ashwa Arjun though was the favourite. Apprentice jockey Koushik had Ace Ace Ace chase Ashwa Arjun into the straight before leaving everyone stranded behind to win by a widening margin of six lengths over Brave Warrior and Symbolic Star. Ashwa Arjun weakened to finish fourth.
Wave Rider was widely preferred to win the 1800 metres Banarsilal Gupta Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 42 to 62. Laxman Singh trained Big Brave had gone down fighting in his last run and looked capable of having a decisive say and was well backed as a second favourite albeit at nourishing odds. Rutilant set a fast pace with Big Brave in proximity while the rest were spaced out behind. Rounding the final turn, Big Brave quickened well when jockey Nakhat Singh shook the reins. The second favourite bounced clear to win by a margin of over three lengths. Wave Rider came up with a late charge, but he had no hope of catching up with the front-runner. Exclusive Striker was third.
Tough Lady`s good forward run saw her being made the favourite to win the 1100 metres Gallant Command Plater, a race for maiden two-year-olds. The lesser fancied runner from trainer Srinivas Reddy`s stable, Pontius Pilate bolted to the front and in the hands of Ashhad Asbar drew clear of the rest in the straight to win with a great deal of ease. Celeritas was second ahead of Tough Lady who did not get a clear passage in the final furlong and had to change course.
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Curcumin (G Naresh up) winner of the GOLDEN DAGGER PLATE (DIV-I)
Pontius Pilate (A Ashhad Asbar up) winner of the GALLANT COMMANDER PLATE
Big Brave (Nakhat Singh up) winner of the BANARSILAL GUPTA MEMORIAL CUP
Ace Ace Ace (Koushik up) winner of the GOLDEN DAGGER PLATE (DIV-II)
Southern Crown (Md Ismail up) winner of the KING RAMA PLATE (DIV-I)
Like Wise (Nakhat Singh up) winner of the SPEAKER`S CUP
Ashka Ashka Ashka (Abhay Singh up) winner of the KING RAMA PLATE (DIV-II)
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