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Favorites find winning path

By Parjanya | 04 Mar 2008 | DELHI


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When Indian lions (India) were roaring high against Kangaroos (Australia) in the second final of the Tri-series in Australia. The favourite horses were also neighing hard here at the National Capital Race Course, New Delhi. A card of six race had a successful three public fancied from the stables of the young Magan Singh and the rest were Belonging to the yard of Anupam Sharma, Aleem Khan and Shaiq Khan. Apprentice Jockey Rajinder Saini also celebrated his come Back from the supension by booting home a fine treble. The duo of Magan and Saini laid a concrete foundation for the favourites as a chestnut filly Wild West got a body length Better of Possible in the Old Secretariat Plate. Incidentally, it was the maiden victory for the four-year-old runner. Following her footsteps, ace jockey Rajinder guided the fortune of Alamagir in the upper division of the Shamnath Marg Plate. The race saw the second favourite, Crossways colliding against the rails and dislodging jockey Ramlal around the 900 metres. The opening pair once again came back in business with Gin And Tonic, who necked Divine Heights out in the Chief Secretary Cup. After leading in the early two furlongs, she found King Challenge doubling her in strides before pounced on him at 300 metres. By the time she enjoyed the lead, a year older Divine Heights started gathering some momentum to stake aclaim but it was the Wining post who hugged the Celine Dion's (A class one mare also used to run in the colour of Umang before being retired to The stud) daughter first. “I’m lucky that my filly won but Divine Heights had an ill-fated luck otherwise she should have Won", Umang Kumar, owner, told me. "My filly is still immature and takes a little time to come up, he said. Umang was absolutely right, if Divine Height had not held up for room during the crucial stages, she would have measured the Field. The run of the chestnut fatty is best ignored. King Challenge, in spite of receipting a five kilos from Gin and Tonic, Ran bravely to be third. Jovial was the youngster to justify the top billing after spending some anxious moment in the steward’s room. The Gelding ran with a lack of speed in the early stages that helped "So Far So Good" to dictate the proceeding narrowly. Soon After turning into the homestretch, the former started launching missiles by joining the strides. In spite of hanging-in, Syed Afsar Shah pushed Jovial to get Saini-ridden runner-up. Saini raised an objection of being disturbed but with no Alteration. So Far So Good should make amends. Later, Saini came out of the dilema and drove Ganga Jal home with perfection. Showing no hurry till the the field of seven made the headway in the final furlong; he simply got the desired response from The triumphant in the last furlong. The last race saw a three way finish but it was again the market fancied - Dazzling Win, who crossed the wire in nick of Time ahead of Time gentlemen and shy Beauty. The five year old horse, who ran close fifth with back crushing weight in class, three over the similar trip, cashed-in on the advantage of relaxation of 8.5 kilos in scale and that made all the difference in the higher set. Time Gentlemen, who sharpened his challenge from the wide-out course, missed a golden opportunity of certain win by a neck. However, the most impressive run was of Shy Beauty, who stole the heart by finishing off a close Third. Godavari, who adopted a different strategy by running in the front group and even shifting the course from the bend, was the main cause of her defeat.