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A combination of pull in weights and better preparedness enabled Hilton Sequeira trained Smashing Blue to pull off a thrilling win over Corfe Castle and Trump Girl in the 1200 metres Sultan Pheroze Plate, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Sunday`s Hyderabad races. The day was dominated by Sequeira and jockey Akshay Kumar who cornered glory. For the second day running, there was no cup event which is unthinkable at BTC where the Managing Committee members would be like without oxygen if they are not seen in the paddock presenting a trophy and feel important!
The best horse in the fray Corfe Castle had two things against his chances. One was the weight and the other was the fact that apprentice jockey Gaurav Singh was assigned to ride the six-year-old. Corfe Castle tends to take his own time to settle in the early part but has a tremendous turn of foot that floors the opposition. But on Sunday, though Corfe Castle came up with his patented late burst of speed, Gaurav Singh could not get that bit extra and Smashing Blue pulled it off by the skin of her teeth. Trump Girl who raced prominently in front, put up a dogged resistance and refused to give up, going down only in the shadows of the post. Akshay Kumar`s presence in the saddle also helped the prolific performer Smashing Blue. Smashing Blue clocked a time of one minute 13.603 in a hotly contested race. Corfe Castle should make amends for this failure, handicap disadvantage notwithstanding.
Ananth Vatsalya trained Xfinity had been well prepared and the four-year-old who had two wins to his credit appeared to be spot on for the 1200 metres Fair Trial Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. The presence of Mandala Bay who is a full sister to Corfe Castle ensured that Xfinity went to the post at lucrative odds. The fact that Xfinity was sharp for this race was evident when Akshay Kumar had the fancied runner race up in front. Xfinity enjoyed the lead all through the race and won uncontested by a widening margin of five lengths over Mandala Bay who warmed up late to snatch the second berth from Story Teller. The winner clocked a smart time of one minute 603 seconds, identical to that of Smashing Blue. Xfinity should pick up a race or two before long. The lower division of the race was won by Shehzad Abbas trained Castlerock who maintained the winning form of last season with a resolute performance. Travelling a handy fourth into the straight, Castle Rock quickly assumed control of the race in the hands of jockey Ajeeth Kumar and was so far ahead when the favourite All Time Legend began to make a strong move. Castlerock was in no danger of being caught up with and won with a measure of comfort from All Time Legend. Blue Valentine raced up with the pace but weakened on entering the straight to finish a tame third.
Sequeira trained Keystone ran out a ready winner of the 1200 metres Royston Rock Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Travelling cosily in the second position behind pace-setter Miss Little Angel, Keystone was angled out early in the straight by jockey Akshay Kumar to take charge. The progeny of Win Legend overhauled the front-runner quickly and sailed clear and had something on hand when finishing ahead of late-rallying Galwan. Jean Lafette was third.
Going by the morning workouts, Campania and Lamha appeared to be good prospects to win the 1600 metres Fairway Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Though Lamha took a while to warm up to the task in the stretch, it was crystal clear that the front-running Grand Finale will find it very difficult to carry the lead to the post. Lamha had the measure of Grand Finale close to home and won quite capably. Campania ran on to take the third position. Lamha provided jockey Akshay Kumar with the fifth winner of the day.
Donald Netto trained Battle Ready was driven out to get the better of Air Salute in the closing strides of the race to win the 1200 metres Anab E Shahi Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated up to 25. Air Salute had found the winning post elusive finishing second on 10 occasions in her 34 outings in the past. The six-year-old mare Air Salute shaped to break the jinx but was caught up with by a strongly driven Battle Ready who lived up to the name by clinching the issue. Misty River edged out Arcadian Angel to save place money. Prasad Raju trained Sheldon proved overwhelmingly superior to the opposition and won the lower division of the race despite being disadvantaged by the wide outside draw. In the hands of jockey Naresh, Sheldon had the race in his grasp by storming ahead in the final furlong to win by a widening margin of three lengths over favourite N RI Touch who managed to get the runner up berth at the expense of Hip Hop and Let It Be Me in a cluster finish.
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Keystone (Akshay Kumar up) winner of THE ROYSTON ROCK PLATE
Castlerock (P Ajeeth Kumar up) winner of THE FAIR TRIAL PLATE (DIV-II)
Xfinity (Akshay Kumar up) winner of THE FAIR TRIAL PLATE (DIV-I)
Battle Ready (Akshay Kumar up) winner of THE ANAB E SHAHI PLATE (DIV-I)
Smashing Blue (Akshay Kumar up) winner of THE SULTAN PHEROZE PLATE
Lamha (Akshay Kumar up) winner of THE FAIRWAY PLATE
Sheldon (G Naresh up) winner of THE ANAB E SHAHI PLATE (DIV-II)
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