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Arabian Dancer Taps To Victory

By Mirror Image | 01 Dec 2009 | HYDERABAD


Trainer Prasad Raju & Mr P S Reddy leading Arabian Dancer (D Gnaneshwar Up), winner of The Mica Empress Cup

Prasad Raju trained Arabian Dancer lifted the Mica Empress Cup, much to the disbelief of many avid race goers. With the presence of consistent performers like Fly by Wire, Kings Cruise, Girl of Love, Copertina and Chesapeake, Prasad’s ward was neglected in the betting. The race generated a lot of excitement in the final 100 metres, with almost five runners gunning for the Cup. The early leader, Kohinoor King began to shorten his strides as Kings Cruise and Chesapeake began to fight out. Jockey Gnaneshwar took the wide gap along the rails and Arabian Dancer responded tremendously to streak through. Copertina, who travelled at the wrong end for most part of the race, covered ground gradually and was travelling the best in the closing stages but could only get to the runner up berth.

Glen Gyle, from Zoheb Shaik’s stable, won the race for two year-olds very impressively. With four runners, in the field of six, having shed their maiden ranks already, Magic Million, who was most impressive amongst them, was sent into the race as a 10 to 9 ‘on-money’ favourite. Jockey Rupesh took Glen Gyle to the front right from the start and once on the straight, stretched out very well, showing a lot of promise. Jewel in the Crown was a clear four lengths behind the winner. Magic Million finished a tame third ahead of Da Xia.

Prasad had started the day with his ward, Flaming Ruby turning out to be an outright winner in the Bhagyanagar Cup. After tracking Lucky Damsel till the top of the straight, Arabian Dancer drew away, with Break Point moving in to take the second spot, ahead of Lucky Damsel.

Trainer Sk. Kasam and Ch. K. Chary combination pulled off a brace, a back-to-back, both at mouth-watering odds. Dancing Fairy collared Cannon Act in the last 50 metres to claim the lower division of the King Rama Plate, a sprint event over five furlongs. Booster finished on being a close third. The public choice, Welcome Baby, was a bit unlucky to have moved into a trap and lose position to finish last. Nearing the distance marker, Welcome Baby was well-poised, along the inner rails and as the jockey, Chouhan asked for an effort, all the gaps closed and the ‘Baby’ had to be pulled back. Colorados Pride planted at the gates and when she finally came out, whipped around and dislodged the rider.

Feudal Lords picked up the very next race, the Rainbows for life Plate. Feudal Lords, in fact, missed the jump, losing about three lengths. Chary gradually improved his mount and was sighted in about seventh place as the field straightened up. Pulling him out of the pack, the rider gave him a clear run and the five year old gelding responded well to get the better of the leader, Yanamaria. Danzsingh finished third a short head behind.

Close finishes were witnessed in both the divisions of the Ming Dynasty Plate, run over six furlongs. Victorous Sally, who had dislodged her rider at 300 metres on her previous outing, after the jockey had ventured some dangerous manoeuvres, made no mistake this time around and won the higher division, warding off the late challenge of Armada. The favourite Divine Ganges rallied in late to finish third.

While Victorous Sally had had a good number of supporters, the friendless Belle Dancer won the lower division. Queens Fortune tracked Rythamic Gymnast, for most part of the race and took over within the final furlong, looking to cause an upset when jockey Duran Fentiman who had replaced an injured M.F .Ali Khan on Belle Dancer rode a superb race to urge and coax his mount to put her neck in front at the all important end.

Miracle caused a flutter beating Turning Point and Thunder King in a three-way finish, in the concluding race.