Netto’s Onnu Onnu Onnu sprints to glory
By Chris Hoover

Bangalore
June 06, 2004

It was yet again a horse from the city of Charminar that held centre stage with a stupendous victory. Donald Netto schooled Onnu Onnu Onnu (Young Senor-Gentle Spy) asserted his supremacy as a top notch sprinter in a commanding manner as he left the field for dead at 300 metres from home in the Chief Minister’s Cup (Gr.3), that featured Sunday’s races. There was literally no opposition for the four-year-old from Hyderabad as he took charge at the 300 metre marker and stretched away to win in fine style. Soviet Bay from Irfan Ghatala’s yard, came into the race with a suitable handicap and took second place ahead of the late finishing Lancaster. Lancaster, it appears, would relish a seven-furlong trip.

Trainer Donald Netto was an elated man as he excitedly explained that, "Onnu Onnu Onnu produced the effort that was expected of him. He is in amazing form and though jockey Rutherford lost his whip at 250 metres, it was never a bother." The trainer was also happy with the manner in which the Hyderabad horses have been performing while taking on the best in the country and ascribed it to the spurt of small time owners who are bringing in potentially winning horses.

There was an accident in the Flirting Vision Plate as jockey K.P.G. Appu was brought down as his mount Kapila clipped the heels of the Ryan Marshall-piloted one-eyed Greenlawn. Jockey Ryan Marshall has been stood down for four race days for causing the mishap, which could well have been a life threatening one. However, there was no serious injury to Appu and he went on to ride (The Music Lover) in the next race before opting out of his two other commitments for the day. The punishment on Ryan appears to be harsh but could well serve as a deterrent for the other regular offenders who have been getting away with petty fines. The authorities would do well if the vigilance on the errant jockeys is stepped up in the future.

Before the mishap, Appu had piloted Leo D’Silva’s wards Shannon and Tallahassee to impressive victories to record a fine double. The former had to be hard ridden to get past the favourite Over Power trained by Sirajuddin. Melody Power, who had run fourth to Theodora, ran a poor race. N.A. Ponnappa trainee Equally Good finished an impressive third and is the one to keep an eye on. Tallahassee won in an assured manner without being troubled. He seems to be a colt with promise and should win again. Nityanand’s ward Synposis finished a sturdy third and should be persisted with in his next run.

Jockey Y.S. Srinath recorded his first victory after returning from suspension, astride Baracudda. This victory should be a boost for the confidence of this lanky youngster, who seemed to be short on fitness on Saturday. The four-year-old Baracudda, who has matured late, should improve from here on and graduate to the higher class.

The on-money favourite Amazing Velocity won the M.H. Raju Memorial Plate quite comfortably and sent out a notice of her potential to win again, while Autocop finished a tame second, but the Dhariwal ward can strike soon. 

The Badami Cup witnessed a close finish with a little over half a length separating the first four horses. Storm The Fort ran a game race before finishing third, while the Sunil piloted M.K.Jadhav- trained Orion fought every inch to the finish line to find Solar Rocket coming on with a late dash to finish second. Millenium Magic, who finished fourth might have needed this run and is the horse to look out for when next saddled.

Dhariwal trainee, Stage Craft with Ravi Biramne aboard put a distance between himself and the rest in the second division of the Flirting Vision Plate, the concluding event of the day.

Stage Craft (Biramne up) winner of the Flirting Vision Plate Div II being led by trainer Mr. Dhariwal & Mr. Zeyn Mirza (Racing Manager URBB) Mr. Ashok Ranpise