Coral Gables ends Onnu Onnu Onnu’s winning spree 
By Diablo

Hyderabad
Nov 22, 2003

Mumbai jockey C Rajendra showed why he is rated among the best in the country when he rode a beaten Coral Gables to a thrilling win in the Ch Satyanarayana Rao of Iktyal Memorial Cup, here on Saturday (22.11.2003). 

With 200 metres to go in the seven-furlong trip, Coral Gables was still way behind the speedy Onnu Onnu Onnu. He also appeared to be in a bit of a distress as he strayed out on to the mid course, while the favourite kicked on like an arrow on the rails. Rajendra did not let this affect his composure. At that stage, his focus was entirely on bringing his mount under control and the fast approaching finish line mattered least.  By the time he got Coral Gables under control, the race had reached the final 50 metres, with Onnu Onnu Onnu still ahead. For anybody else the wire would have been in sight, but not Rajendra. Sitting ball-like in his saddle, he went for the final push.  While his right hand worked on the reins, his left  wielded the whip. In a trice Coral Gables ranged alongside the leader and just had his head in front as the duo hit the wire.

It was indeed a brilliant ride from the Mumbai champion. Not that the racing aficionado of Hyderabad
are unaware of his talents, but it provided the appreciative crowd another chance to hail their hero. 

Trainer Leo D’Silva was rather lucky to have Rajendra in town, for his favourite jockey Suraj Narredu was busy at home centre, Bangalore. Thanks to Rajendra, Coral Gables managed to keep his reputation in tact as one of the top three-year-olds at the centre. He now awaits a clash with either Integral or Red Orchid to further enhance his reputation.

A defeat for Onnu Onnu Onnu may have come as a surprise but his vulnerability was never in doubt,
particularly since he was not entered in any big event after his return from Bangalore where he had performed beyond one’s imagination. While Coral Gables and Red Orchid ran in Colts Trial and won terms races in Category I, Onnu Onnu Onnu not only stayed away from the classics but also picked up a handicap race on his debut in Category I. Such treatment was quite surprising for someone who led almost in all his big races at Bangalore.

The stage is now left for Integral, Red Orchid and Coral Gables to decide who is best. Of course, Red
Orchid and Coral Gables had exchanged wins earlier, but in the form that all the three are in right now, it would be interesting to see at least two of them matching strides. 

The other interesting aspect of the day’s proceedings was the manner in which three youngsters shed their maiden status. One always felt that Sammurai, Track Blazer and Taxido were better than some of the winners last season, and wondered why they were not able to win. All the three won their races in open company and in a manner that suggests they can do a lot better, for they moved like champions under apprentices. 

Of course, not many would give Sammurai and Taxido as much credit as they would to Track Blazer as both scored in races earmarked for maiden horses. But the truth is, although Track Blazer’s run looked impressive because he beat winners, it is Sammurai and Taxido who will go farther, considering the dash they displayed in the straight. That Taxido won with a measure of comfort despite finishing on the standside rails indicates how good she can be if she maintains a straight course. 

Deshmukh’s Usquebach, who was talked about highly till last season, has finally come into some kind of form.  He and Leo D’Silva’s Dancing Wave were seen stretching out well after the race was safely in Sammurai’s grasp. Similarly, Priyam, Royal Franchise and Sky Heights should make their next runs count, if they produce the runs they did in Taxido race. 

Trainer Joseph Silvester seems to have become the favourite of those serving suspensions. For, last
monsoon he had the entire string from Donald Netto’s stables move to him and now it is the turn of
prestigious gold-brown colours as Satheesh has been sent out of action for a month following one of his wards, Stronghold, testing positive for a banned substance.

Silvester had a winner on the very first day in first seasoner Brown Star. Bred by Gaswar, he too showed the speed that Minivet had showed last year while picking up two races in star-studded company.

As ever, races earmarked for five and six-year-olds are leaving jackpot hunters with holes in their
pockets. On Saturday, it was the turn of Cadre, who showed no winning form at all, but won pulling away from those who had been consistently coming on board. Trainer Srinagesh may be doing a great job for his owners by getting their horses win at long odds, but the punters are regularly burning their fingers at his expense. The railbirds may need to be reminded that they should follow six-year-olds more closely in such races. The lower division of this race was picked up by favourite Kaza’s Delight in a runaway fashion.

HORSES TO FOLLOW: 
Category I: Rolland Garros. 
Category III: Usquaebach, Dancing Wave, Dauntless, Actual Grace, Mars Angel, Priyam, Royal Franchise, Sky Heights, Beau Ideal, Artistic Show.