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Surya Lakshmi Wins in Record Time

By Mirror Image | 20 Nov 2011 | HYDERABAD


Mr. K Krishna Kumar and trainer K V Srinivas leading Surya Lakshmi (P S Chouhan up), winner of The Golconda 1000 Guineas -Gr.II

The Golconda 1000 Guineas-Grade II, was run on Sunday at Hyderabad in good going with the penetrometer recording 2.57 cms. Seven fillies lined up for the first classic of the Winter Season, four of them coming down from Bangalore. K.V.Srinivas trained Surya Lakshmi (Burden Of Proof-Indian Endeavour) had finished on board in all her six runs and the latest was her second to In The Spotlight, in the Monsoon Derby. Surya Lakshmi was not raced after the Derby but was under systematic preparation with this race in mind and the trainer also felt the need to have her tongue strapped. Leading saddle artist P.S.Chouhan was assigned to guide the filly’s fortunes in the race.

Windsor Manor, a habitual front runner, set sail once again in front at a scorching pace. The race favourite Preordained moved over to run second as the field approached the 1200 metres marker and chased the leader till the final bend. Magnitude, Surya Lakshmi, Nasheeta, Silken Touch and Practically Perfect followed in that order till entering the home straight. Preordained packed up early on the straight much to the disappointment of her supporters. Surya Lakshmi was asked for the final burst by the rider inside the last 300 metres and the filly readily obliged with a fluent dash, to surge ahead and lift the race in a fast timing of 1:36.96 secs., bettering the three year old record that stood in the name of Diego Rivera. Silken Touch and Practically Perfect unleashed a fast gallop from the rear to finish second and third respectively and pushed Windsor Manor to the fourth position.

Speaking to India Race after the race, jockey P.S.Chouhan said,”my filly was traveling easy entering the home stretch and the pace at which Windsor Manor led the field I knew that she would weaken soon and I made my move before the distance post”. Adding further, Chouhan said,” Surya Lakshmi is a vastly improved filly and she will definitely go beyond the mile”.

L.D’Silva’s Notredame (Captain Rio-Prima Marta), a failed favourite in her previous run put in a fast run with apprentice Kuldeep Singh astride, to win the Chief Justice of A.P.Trophy in a new course record timing over the 1100 metres trip. Notredame entered the final straight three lengths clear of the nearest runner and kept up the momentum to win from the fast finishing Splendid Act and Aphrodisiac. Splendid Act was being urged by the rider right from the top of the straight but the chestnut responded inside the last 50 metres and flashed on only to finish second, a short head behind Notredame. Aphrodisiac also warmed up late from the rear and took the shortest way along the inner rails to finish a close third.

Leo and Kuldeep combined to pull off a profitable double through Golden Palace (Quest Star-Groves Iesis), in the lower division of the Vegavathi Plate, the concluding race of the day. Leo’s ward was racing in about eighth position as the heads turned for home and Kuldeep pulled the gelding out, to give a free run on the outside. Golden Palace moved with rapid strides to overtake the favourite Moheena and stretch away by a clear margin.

P.S.Chouhan, who steered Surya Lakshmi to victory in the plum of the day, had earlier won on Ashok Chakra and Over Taker to make it three for the day. Sk.Kassam trained Over Taker (Sir Bordeaux Entourage) sped past the early leader Chamatkar, 150 metres from home, to lift the Original Vel V.Balasubramani Memorial Cup. Mighty Prince picked up speed late to finish second while the favourite Jingles loitered along with the back markers till the last 300 metres and flashed on towards the closing stages to take the third spot.

Anupam Sharma’s Ashok Chakra (Rebuttal-Belinda) moved resolutely inside the final furlong to wrap up the Ardent Knight Plate on debut. Sitting Pretty finished second after leading till beaten by Ashok Chakra.

Danny (Don Machelleto-Upper Brook) won the 2000 metres Medak Plate, to give trainer Anupam Sharma a double for the day. Apprentice G.Sai Vamshi rode Danny off the pace, in second last position while Sheikh’s Emperor led the field till the last 600 metres. Turning for home, Staccato took charge but was quickly joined by Danny and after racing together till the last 50 metres Danny quickened in a thrice when given a couple of cracks. Staccato, Heart N Soul and Vijaysjyothi filled the frame while the favourite Start Striker failed to impress, finishing second last.

M.A.Gallagher rode R.H.Sequeira’s Proof (Burden Of Proof-Florale) to victory in the higher division of the Vegavathi Plate. Mark found Proof to be very eager, approaching the last 600 metres and let the 3 year old head the field. Drayton and Rosemead tried to get close to the leader but could not catch Proof, who kicked on to justify the favouritism.

A change in name brought some change in fortunes for D.Netto’s Apprise (Midtown-Lyricist), in the Rishi Konda Cup, the opening race of the day. Apprise (ex-Stepping Stone) got past the front running Miss Watermelon in the last 200 metres to register her first win.