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‘Alexander’ Conquers the Field ‘Square’ly

By Mirror Image | 09 Jan 2012 | HYDERABAD


Trainer D Netto leading Alexander Square (A Imran Khan Up), winner of The Ch. Sathyanarayana Rao Memorial Cup

 

Alexander Square (Ajaad-Celesta) from the stables of Donald Netto crafted a thrilling victory in the Ch. Sathyanarayana Rao of Itkyal Memorial Cup, a six furlongs sprint for horses in the highest category which featured Monday’s races at Hyderabad. Ridden by A.Imran Khan, Alexander Square snatched the race from Young Soldier and Above The Line in a stirring three way finish. Young Soldier had taken charge from a tiring Windsor Manor mid-way up the straight. Above The Line who was towards the rear till rounding the final bend, weaved her way through the inner rails to stake a claim in the last 100 metres. Alexander Square with constant urgings from the saddle picked up momentum and breezed past to put his head in front at the wire.

Young Soldier and Above The Line took the second and third places respectively. Above The Line looks to be hitting the right chord and should get to the winner’s circle soon. Windsor Manor, a prodigy of Placerville, who had kick started her career on a dazzling note by winning four races on the trot, seems to have lost the sheen, finishing off the frame, over what was believed to be her favourite trip.

A treble by trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh, doubles by Imran Khan, P.S.Chouhan and two objections being upheld were the highlights of the day. The authorities who started to crack the whip on erring professionals last week reassured the racing fans that they mean business by upholding the two objections that were lodged.

Deshmukh’s VijayShaurya (Trade Fair-Troppa Freska) made every post a winning one in the Ch.V.Lakshmi Prasad Rao ‘Sirdesai’ Sircilla Memorial Cup, a 2200 m trip for horses in Category II. P.S.Chouhan had Vijayshourya comfortably in front right from the start and the 4 year old quickened readily in the last 200 metres to keep Swiss Don at bay. Divine Ganges finished third after chasing Vijayshourya all the way.

The Galactica Plate, a five furlongs dash for maiden 3 year olds was divided into two races. Zoheb Shaikh trained Enamour (Eljohar-Cosmic Swirl) chased the early leader Dakshayani till the distance marker and surged ahead to win the higher division. The favourite Hidden Power got into the rhythm a little late and finished second for the fourth time from as many starts.

Hurricane Dancer (Hurricane State-Liberal Dancer) stretched out well to come out of her maiden status in the lower division. Hurricane Dancer surged past Sushen when the rider Imran Khan asked the filly for an effort and won the race with more on hand. Break Away covered up some ground to collar Sushen close to the winning post for the second spot.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan’s riding skills were to the fore, in the higher division of the Musical Morn Plate, where he scored a winning point over jockey Culhane. Vijay Kiran (Puerto Madero- Ruddles) snatched the victory from Hidden Destiny in the last stride. Culhane had driven Hidden Destiny to hit the front inside the final furlong and was looking to pull it off when Chouhan with his sustained effort got Vijay Kiran to raise a winning gallop.

Faisal Hassan’s True Future (Kly Green-Acaress) scored an upset victory in the lower division of the Musical Morn Plate, the opening race of the day. Faisal’s ward flew from way behind under apprentice A.K.Pawar, to win the race in the shadow of the winning post. Best Pal after running green on the straight had originally finished second, ahead of Key Note and Grand Connection. Chouhan, the rider of Grand Connection raised an objection against the rider of Best Pal for blocking his way up the straight and that was upheld by the stewards. Best Pal was relegated to the fourth position.

The other objection of the day was in the Concordial Plate, the last race of the day. Vijaysjyothi (Alnasr Alwasheek-Astana) won the race drawing away from the rest. Renuka’s Pride who originally finished second had veered in while moving from behind and had disturbed the run of Merry Maid. Adonia took the third spot ahead of Merry Maid. The rider of Merry Maid took an objection agains the rider of Renuka’s Pride and that was upheld, relegating Renuka’s Pride to the fourth position.

Anupam Sharma’s Shades Of Victory (Epicentre-Evening Bride) after trailing the field till the top of the straight got into a frenzy and emerged ahead of the entire field, in the Nilgiris Plate. Invincible India after leading all the way from the start finished second.