| |
Donald Netto trained Sweet March readily justified the expectations in the hands of visiting jockey Fergus Sweeney in the 1400 metres Indian Navy Rolling Challenge Trophy, a race for horses rated 42 to 62, the feature event of Sunday’s Hyderabad races. Sweeney had another winner through Titus who albeit had to share the honours with Free Eagle in the concluding race of the day because the result was a dead-heat.
Stablemate Batur appeared to have more takers than Sweet March but the moment the race started, it was crystal clear as to who would be in serious contention. Surprise Party went on a start to finish mission with Sweet March in striking second position. Sweeney pushed Bright March to overhaul the front-runner inside the final two furlongs and the progeny of Gaswar smoothly cruised ahead for a comfortable win. Surprise Party held on to the second position from late-rallying Ikigai. Ashwa Ashoka and Batur occupied the next two slots on the frame.
|
|
| |
When Sweeney drove Titus to have a comfortable lead in the final furlong of the1100 metres Trade Fair Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated 26 to 46, the visiting jockey looked set to win his second race on his first day in India, but Free Eagle suddenly stirred into action with a powerful surge at the finish which saw both these horses go past the post locked together. It was difficult to speculate as to who could have got the nod and it came as no surprise when it was announced that there was a dead-heat for the first position. Turf Legend was third. Laxman Singh trained Takish had a strong racing form to have a decisive say in the upper division of the race. The speedy Arc of History led the field into the straight before Takisha was asked to stretch out. The fancied runner picked up speed with alacrity to go storming clear for an easy win. Takisha had beaten Dream Catcher in her last effort and the latter had gone on to win by a big margin in the next outing which flanked the form of Takisha. Chinese Thought rallied late to edge out long-time leader Arc of History to get the second position.
Laxman Singh trained Surprise Party was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1100 metres Bakranangal Plate, a race for horses rated 42 to 62. Surprise Party stayed in close proximity of front-running Platinum till the final furlong before jockey Suraj Narredu pushed the favourite to take charge. The favourite bounced clear with minimum of fuss to record a comfortable win over Celtic King who showed semblance of striking old form. Royal Dynamite ran on to save the place money.
Last time failed favourite Creator made amends in the 1400 metres Himayat Sagar Plate, a race for horses rated 26 to 46. The lung opener had done a world of good to the Prasad Raju trainee who appeared to be fitter. Suraj brought Creator with a strong run approaching the final furlong and the fancied runner then had things his way all the way to the finish. Reunion made a desperate attempt to catch up but failed to do so. Ta Ta was faraway third. Favourite Thundering lost all the chances at the gate itself and thereafter it was a futile bid to first catch up with the front-runners and then have enough energy to make a challenge.
Laxman Singh trained Sir Walter Raleigh proved good enough in the 1600 metres Golden Plate, a race for horses rated up to 25. The fancied runner shot into the lead from the wide outside draw and had a healthy lead all way to the post. Though Carnival Express showed some flourish with a strong effort, the front-runner had the race well covered. Jayin necked out Brioni to get the third place.
*******************
Sir Walter Raleigh (Deep Shanker up) winner of the Golden Plate
Takisha (Gopal Singh up) winner of the Trade Fair Plate (Div-I)
Creator (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Himayat Sagar Plate
Southern Promise (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Bakranangal Plate
Sweet March (Fergus Sweeney up) winner of the Indian Navy Rolling Challenge Trophy
Free Eagle (Kuldeep Singh up) winner of the Trade Fair Plate (Div-II)
|
|