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Full Mark(s) To Proof

By Mirror Image | 27 Feb 2011 | HYDERABAD


Mr. Y. Damodar and trainer R. H. Sequeira and leading Proof (M A Gallagher Up), winner of The Alcock Arabian Million (Gr.III)

The Kunigal Stud-bred Proof (Burden Of Proof-Florale) was ridden with great confidence by Mark Gallagher to an impressive victory, in the Alcock Arabian Million (Grade III), the feature of Sunday’s races at Hyderabad. The day also turned out to be a profitable one for Gallagher, booting home a treble. Trainers Anupam Sharma, Donald Netto and R.H. Sequeira were also in the limelight, scoring a brace each. It was interesting to note that the champion rider of Hyderabad, P.S. Chouhan, drew a blank. Proof had a big win to start his career, backed by an impressive second, behind Super Duper, in the HDIL Million.

This history sheet was enough to post Proof as the firm favourite in the race. Secret Burden, River Side and Castle Town were in front as the field of eight entered the straight with Proof positioning behind them. Mark Gallagher timed his move to a nicety on the favourite, to shoot ahead inside the final 250 metres and carve out an impressive victory. Vijaykeerti, River Side and Castle Town finished in a cluster to take the second, third and fourth places respectively. Hilton Sequeira, who trains Proof, had earlier led in Pygmalion (Case Law-Windermere Star), in the higher division of The Columbia Plate. It was again Gallagher on the winner, riding a brilliant race, setting a new course record timing over the 1,100 metres distance.

Pygmalion, who had the habit of bolting in front in his earlier runs, was ridden in check, settling in fourth position behind Suryaputra, Krithiman and Menlo Park. As the field rounded the final turn, Mark worked his way on Pygmalion, who accelerated tremendously to stretch away from the rest. Canadian Girl warmed up late to take the second spot ahead of Krithiman. Suryaputra burst his blood vessels and fell back drastically. Netto-trained Malabar Prince (Gaswar-Minetta) lifted the Charon Plate, improving from the rear and weaving his way through the field to beat All Pepper convincingly. Gallagher rode a confident race on the winner. Rosemead finished third after missing the start and racing in the rear for most part of the race.

Sehzad Abbas-trained Vendetta (Valid Concept-Three In One) flew from nowhere to get the better of Greek Fire close to the winning post, in the Umraolal Gupta Memorial Cup. Greek Fire chased Caligatae till the last 400 metres and surged ahead but failed to hold on when Vendetta came flashing. Mission Chief also made rapid progress to finish third. Laxman Singh’s Splendid Knock (Hymn-Freedom) unleashed a terrific run to deny Retaliate a win, on the last stride of the race, in the Patrons Cup.

Brianna led from the start and was fighting out with Retaliate and Splendid Show on the straight. The last-named faded out while Retaliate surged ahead by a neck towards the closing stages but failed to encash, losing out to Splendid Knock by the shortest of margins. Trainer Anupam Sharma pulled off a double to get his tally to thirty. Exquisite Delight and Valentine were the winners from his stable. Exquisite Delight (Storm Trooper-My Way) travelled the fastest in the final 100 metres of the Grace And Strength Plate to pull it off from Centurion and Lambourn. Valentine (The Lady’s Groom-Amazon Sky), ridden by C. Rajendra, slipped along the rails to register a fine win, in the lower division of the Prince Khartoum Plate. Celtic Rose, Vijaysheel and Hero’s Choice filled the frame.

The higher division was won by Netto’s Rajkumari (Rebuttal-Kabubina). The favourite Rajkumari joined Anacostia and Mukhtar approaching the final bend and readily accelerated when asked for an effort by jockey Creighton, to win in a fast timing. A Horizontal Urge finished second ahead of Anacostia and Miss Watermelon. K.S.V. Prasad Raju’s Sugar Baby (Royal Gladiator-Sugar Zone) upset the field in the concluding race of the day, the lower division of the Columbia Plate. Setting out in front from the start Sugar Baby held on from Queen Of Sheeba.