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Haggler Steals The Show

By Mirror Image | 01 Jun 2011 | MYSORE


Trainer M Eshwer leading Haggler (S Sreekant Up), winner of The F B Sharma Memorial Gold Cup

Haggler (Placerville-Sky Rocket), owned and trained by Micheal Eshwar, lifted the F.B. Sharma Memorial Gold Cup, the main event of Wednesday’s races at Mysore. After getting a good jump, Mr. Sunrise, held a prominent position early in the race but suddenly fell back alarmingly, approaching the 1,100 metres. Jockey Ladjadj Stephane gathered Mr. Sunrise and brought him into contention by the time the field got to the final bend. Within the final 400 metres, Haggler took charge and was joined by Mr. Sunrise. A tiff fight between the two ensued in the final 150 metres with Haggler holding the edge at the finish. Miss Mexico, who received strong support in the betting during race time, finished a tame third. Prince Of Argyle was withdrawn before the race.

Eshwar had led in Shaka Zulu (Alnasr Alwasheek-Bay Of Angels) in the Kushalnagar Plate, the opening race of the day. Going into the race as an ‘odds on’ favourite, Christopher settled Shaka Zulu behind the early leader Own Way till the top of the straight and quickened readily to stretch away from the rest. Lad Lady and Always On Top finished second and third respectively.

A treble for Eshwar was on the cards, with his ward Iron Marshall going into the Kolar Plate as a ‘certainty’ at cramped price of 100 to 35. Considered as one of the best youngsters at this centre, Iron Marshall failed to live up to his reputation. Iron Marshall and Aahana fought for their head till the final bend wherefrom the favourite surged ahead and looked to be travelling easy. Eight-year-old Secret Fury (Placerville-Mitzvah) had started to improve gradually from 700 metres onwards and was a handy fifth as the field turned for home and inside the last 300 metres unleashed a terrific burst of speed to surprise everyone. Cationic also moved well, widest of all, to take the second place ahead of Iron Marshall. On Call was withdrawn from the race. Trainer Zareer Darashah added two more to his summer tally, scoring through the hot favourite Honey Buzzard and the lesser fancied Amazon. It was an effortless win for Honey Buzzard (Rebuttal-Dance Royale) in the Prince Regent Plate, run over seven furlongs. Honey Buzzard grabbed the lead as they headed for the final straight and with a fluent gallop went on to score an encore. Rising Queen and Byzantine moved to take the second and third place respectively.

Amazon (Flitch-Amazon Gold) lifted The Sondur Plate in a thrilling finish from the market fancy, Bocconcino. The field was reduced to seven with the withdrawal of Costal Express and Ziggy Stardust. Bocconcino led all through with Amazon in tow. Bocconcino came under pressure as Amazon inched closer towards the closing stages and lost out by a ‘neck’ at the wire. Whisper Valley was reported to be trotting lame on her right fore after the race.

M. Bobby-trained Secret Girl (Bee’s Prospector-Satch Boogie) scored an upset in The Kaginele Plate. Settling along the inner rails after a good jump at the start, Secret Girl preferred to track Caribbean Pirate, who did the early running. Approaching the last 300 metres, Secret Girl surged ahead to take charge and emerge clear. Catapult was pulled out to make a run and came with a late dash but could only get to the runner-up berth beating Caribbean Pirate to the third spot. Caribbean Pirate was reported to have gone lame on right fore.

The eight-year-old Classical Dancer (Classic Sport-Mumbai Dancer), who had a lung opener on the first day, emerged victorious in the lower division of The Nagamangala Plate. As the field approached the final furlong, Greenbro, Rashida, Blue Thunder and Classical Dancer were all in a line and the race looked open for the foursome but it was the last-named who made rapid progress to win, with Rashida finishing second, ahead of Blue Thunder and Greenbro. Solitary Champ and So Much More were withdrawn before the race.

C.D. Monnappa’s Lotus Pond (Juniper-Loving Girl), with B. Mahesh astride, made it a start-to-finish affair in the higher division. Real Magic tried to fight out on the straight but couldn’t match strides and fell back to finish fourth while Cannon Scot and Zanzara took the second and third spots respectively.