Hyderabad’s horses call the shots
By Chris Hoover

Bangalore
June 05, 2004

Hyderabad’s horses have made a fine impression this season, while a number of Bangalore based horses have disappointed as favourites. Leo D’Silva’s Annapolis, brilliantly piloted by the young and promising jockey Suraj Narredu, won the Dharmaprakasha L.S. Venkaji Rao Memorial Cup in a thriller from the two fancied runners, Glorious Colours and Believer. Though he was in a spot of bother at one stage, Suraj did well to steer the Leo D’Silva filly to the centre of the track and the filly responded to the urgings and cornered the leading pair of Glorious Colours and Believer at the shadow of the winning post in an exciting three-horse finish.

Glorious Colours, from trainer Ganapathy’s yard, though beaten has sounded her readiness to strike in the near future. The top weighted Road Runner with Y.S. Srinath aboard ran a game race and is the one to look out for.

Hyderabad based trainer Donald Netto recorded his first victory in Bangalore when Spanish Cruise shocked the followers of form in the first division of the Sardar Khan Memorial Plate. With favourite Speed Mistress failing to measure up to the challenge, apprentice rider NM Sequera timed his run to a nicety and Spanish Cruise, cruised past his eight rivals, though tightening the favourite a wee bit. The French jockey David Badel, astride the favourite Speed Mistress, lodged an objection against the winner for bumping his mount in the last 250 metres. Though Sequera did tighten Speed Mistress, it did not have a material effect on the race and the objection was rightfully overruled. Padmanabhan-schooled Iron Butterfly suffered the most as she was completely squeezed out by the favourite during the melee.

Jockey Mallesh Narredu brought off a popular double on Perfect Mover and Netstar. The former had to be hard ridden to overhaul Assagi, who went down fighting, while Netstar, despite losing position due to interference, strode out well under the able guidance of Mallesh to win in fine style. The Arjun Mangalorkar- schooled challenger is in pristine form and is likely to score again. He’s So Fine impressed while finishing a notable second and could cause an upset or two.

A big gamble was brought off on Pink Cameo in the concluding event. The Puttanna-ward was backed as if defeat was out of question. And Pink Cameo did not disappoint, winning in effortless style. It may be recalled that jockey Madhu Jagdale was suspended for two years for not persevering with Pink Cameo at Malakpet last year.

Jockey Y.S. Srinath, back after a long hiatus, did do his best on Itsmyday but failed to hold off the challenge of Court Of Jewels from trainer S. Ganapathy’s yard. The unfancied Cameo Role was the other outsider who surprised the followers of form, winning the Buck Passer Plate (Div. I).Reach Out and Bold Burst cornered maximum support, followed by the Kolkata hopeful, Approved. But none of the three fancied horses displayed a desire to win. 

Zareer Darashah trained Lanark was the most impressive winner in the nine-event card, winning the Jerry Can Salver in splendid fashion. The Darashah ward is in superb condition and is certain to win again next time out. Being run in a seven-furlong race in her first run, the Imtiaz Sait schooled Warsaw Pact found the going tough and could only finish second. Probably, she will come on from this run and needs to be persisted with.

Pink Cameo (I Chisty up) winner of the Guindy Plate being led by trainer Mr. Puttanna & owner Mr. Raghava Reddy