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Vijay’s Angel Lifts The Deccan Chronicle Gold Cup

By Mirror Image | 27 Sep 2011 | HYDERABAD


Mr.Vijay Kumar Gupta & Trainer LVR Deshmukh leading Vijay's Angel (P S Chouhan up), winner of The Deccan Chronicle Gold Cup

Vijay’s Angel (Puerto Madero-Crepe de Chine) from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s stable justified the strong support she received and pulled off a gutsy win in the Deccan Chronicle Gold Cup, a 2400 metres race for horses in the highest category. Vijay’s Angel, the highest rated among the five runners, raced behind stable companion Vijay Dhanush, till approaching the final turn while Golden Queen, Strategic Command and Jabel Queen followed almost in a single file. Turning right for the final run, Vijay’s Angel and Golden Queen pulled away from the rest and a keen tussle looked to be on the cards but P.S.Chouhan’s hard riding took the favourite ahead even as Golden Queen looked contented with the runner-up berth. Jabel Queen managed to get the better of the tiring Vijay Dhanush to finish third, close to the winning post.

It was a straight double for Deshmukh and Chouhan, having won the second division of the Paradis Plate with first timer Pedalo (Rebuttal-Palladio). Pedalo turned up as the favourite at a short price of half-money and the son of Rebuttal showed class on debut, by decimating the opposition in a smart timing, even after being eased up before the finish. Sweet Saloni led all the way till the last 200 metres from where Pedalo cruised ahead effortlessly. Jaz Elle finished second ahead of the long time leader Sweet Saloni. Passion Play was withdrawn on veterinary grounds before the race.

Anupam Sharma’s Enchantment (Hammerstein-Queen of Education) moved with blistering speed to deny Indian Epic a win, in the higher division of the A.P.Heritage Cup. Indian Epic led the pack into the final furlong while The Kohinoor, Star Prospect, Magic Million and Yippee were struggling to get past the leader. Enchantment, who was racing a long way back in about eighth position on entering the straight moved swiftly to join Indian Epic and rushed ahead to win by half a length at the wire. The Kohinoor and Star Prospect filled the frame.

The lower division was bagged by Donald Netto trained Illustrator (Young Senor-Truly Scrumptious), who also charged from the rear to sweep past the front runners. Fine Racer was flying towards the closing stages to finish third behind Menlo Park while the long time leader Kathakali finished fourth. The favourite Ruffiano never looked to be in the hunt throughout the race.

Trainer Laxman Singh saddled two winners to stay ahead of the rest in the race for the trainer’s championship. Vijay’s Rose (Just a Cat-Vying Rose), a 8 to 1 shot beat the favourite Celtic Rose in the Almanac Cup after a stirring duel down the last furlong. Celtic Rose was in the lead from the word ‘go’ and looked good till joined by Vijay’s Rose passing the distance marker. The two fought out fiercely and Vijay’s Rose under Deep Shanker managed to pull off a three quarter length victory despite lugging out in the concluding stages. Valentine was very fractious near the gates and was withdrawn after she refused to move into the gates.

The second winner for Laxman Singh was through Rose Queen (Inhabitant-Olympic Princess), in the concluding race of the day, the lower division of the Sweet Memories Plate. Apprentice Harinder Singh took the ‘on money’ favourite to the front after a good jump from the innermost draw and built up a big leeway on the home run. Sugar Deal, running last till the last 300metres propelled on the extreme outside covering plenty of ground but Rose Queen was home and dry by 3 ½ lengths.

The higher division was won by long shot Star Experience (Ontario-Pledge). Trained by Sk Kassam, Star Experience, who had shed almost twelve points this season galloped readily to give rider R.B.Shinde his first win of the season. Caladium failed in her runaway tactics and finished third behind the late finishing Chayanandan.

M.Sathyanarayana’s Betty Prior (Placerville-Betfair) started as an even-money favourite but eased out to close at 7 to 4 as a lot of money came on first timer Lumiere Blanche, in the higher division of the Paradis Plate. Taking a good jump this time from the outermost draw, Betty Prior made his own running in front till the wire and never met any serious threat by his nine rivals. Handsome Hunk finished second while Lumiere Blanche drifted out on the straight and finished third.

The opening race of the day, the Red Rufus Plate was won by Ananth Vatsalya trained Symbolism (Mr. Mellon-Born to Dance), who shed his maiden ranks in his twentieth attempt, beating the strongly fancied Bang on Target.