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Vijayrath Steals the Show

By Mirror Image | 14 Dec 2009 | HYDERABAD


Trainer K S V Prasad Raju and Mr.P S Reddy leading Party Doll (D Gnaneshwar Up), winner of The Prince Mouzam Jah Bahadur Memorial Cup

Deshmukh’s Vijayrath had turned up in pink of condition and romped home in the Prince Mouzam Jah Bahadur Memorial Cup, a seven-furlong race for horses in the highest category. Spot On was the only three year-old in the field of 11 runners and she was posted as the firm favourite while Hurricane Bay was second in demand and Vijayrath ignored at sixes. Spot On, who prefers to have someone set pace for her, was found wanting as Bernardo who was widely expected to do that job was left behind when the race got started. Spot On set out in front and as the field approached the distance marker, began to weaken, while Vijayrath sailed past to register a convincing win. Carte Blanche and Hurricane Bay took over the tiring Spot On to finish second and third respectively.

Shamsuddin-trained Flying Phoenix won the Palampet Cup by a lengthening margin. Setting out in front from the start in the 2,200 metres trip, Imran Khan kept increasing the margin throughout and was a clear seven lengths in front at the finish. There was no threat by any of the five opponents in the race as they preferred to have a balcony view of the winner instead. Arya and Apple Valley finished second and third respectively, with the rest a further distance behind.

Aloisia stretched out well when asked for an effort by Tom Mclaughlin and lifted the Royal Tern Plate in a convincing fashion. Shehzad Abbas trains the filly for Mr. Mir Hyder Ali Khan and the Bangalore-based owner Mr. Vijeth Bhandari. Mr.Bhandari, fresh from his classic success in Bangalore winning the 1000 Guineas there, had flown in to lead the filly. Speaking to Indiarace, he said that the jockey had given very positive feedback and the filly proved her worth in the race.

The day started with Fentiman having no problems in seeing Leo’s Scubarioo safely home. The betting generated little interest as Scubarioo was at a cramped odds of 10 to 3 on. Scubarioo moved fluently to pass the early leader Fabulous Crown and won with a measure of comfort. One Mission, Proud Accolade and Chief De Mission filled the frame.

M. Sathyanarayana-trained Lavender Mist was ridden out by Shoban Babu to claim the Solitaire Plate. With Lavender Mist on a start-to-finish mission, Silver Rose was in chase throughout. On the home stretch, when jockey Stephen Carson started to urge Silver Rose, the grey filly began to hang out badly and could not produce a fluent gallop. Nandanvanaa covered almost eight lengths in the last 100 metres and finished a close third behind Silver Rose.

Prasad Raju’s Party Doll justified the favouritism in the higher division of the Classic Style Plate. Jockey Gnaneshwar rode the filly with confidence from start to finish. Red River Rebel tried to get closer in the last 100 metres but Party Doll was never extended and had the advantage throughout.

Kohinoor Mystic got the better of Chestnut Charmer and Light Brigade in a close finish in the lower division. Rider R. Umesh lifted his hand at the finish to celebrate his fortieth win, thereby becoming a full jockey from an apprentice.