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Aphrodisiac Wins in a Cliff-hanger
By Mirror Image | 08 Aug 2010 | HYDERABAD
Owners Mr. Srinivas Pangam, Premchander Reddy Komalla & trainer Ananth Vatsalya leading Da Xia (P. S. Chouhan Up), winner of The Turf Club Cup
S.A. Shehzad Abbas-trained Aphrodisiac lifted the Stewards Cup, with a gutsy performance, in a thrilling three-way finish. A winner over similar distance this season, Aphrodisiac was amongst horses in the highest class for the first time. Jockey P.S. Chouhan, who had ridden the filly to victory in her last outing, had opted for a ride on Crocodile Hunter, racing in the same colours, as the weight allotted to Aphrodisiac was not feasible to him. With Crocodile Hunter being a consistent performer in this category and Aphrodisiac meeting top company for the first time, the betting shifted towards the former.
Going into the race, Crocodile Hunter had taken charge on top of the straight and had established three lengths lead nearing the furlong marker. Jockey Ashhad Asbar had started to work his way on Aphrodisiac while Aadesh Kumar was also getting busy on King’s Cruise. The two caught up with the Hunter and all three went past the winning post in a cluster. While it was evident that Crocodile Hunter had failed to hold his head in front, the judge had to refer to the photo to separate Aphrodisiac from King’s Cruise.
The followers of form had a glorious day as six favourites obliged in a card of eight. A lot of money came on Ananth Vatsalya’s Da Xia in the Turf Club Cup, run over a mile, who shared the favouritism with Ice Mountain at race time. As the field of ten took the final bend, Avon Gorge was in front followed closely by Ice Mountain, Da Xia and Royal Bay. Ice Mountain made the first move on the straight and with a quick gallop surged ahead. Da Xia came up with a sparkling run and was spotted winner 200 metres from home. Ice Mountain stayed on in second spot while Royal Bay finished third ahead of Renuka’s Pride. An objection by the rider of Renuka’s Pride against the rider of Royal Bay for crossing on the straight was overruled.
Prominent among the losers was Strategic Command, in the Grand Entry Plate, the opening race of the afternoon. After ending the winter season with two consecutive wins and finishing second to Royal Bay this season, Strategic Command was sent into the race as the raging public choice. Strategic Command had taken charge from the early leader Suryaputra on the straight but found Rising Rays too hot to handle when the gelding accelerated well under jockey K. Anil. Rising Rays got the better by a neck at the finish while Suryaputra finished third.
Trainer L. D’Silva and Jockey Ch. K. Chary teamed up to score a back-to-back double to keep their scoreboard ticking. Improving with every run this season, Rio Grande made it to the winner’s enclosure. Setting out on a start-to-finish mission, Rio Grande held forte till the end, in the higher division of the Best of Bold Plate, run over a sprint distance of five furlongs. Zarina improved on the straight to finish second, while Fine Racer and Rose Queen filled the frame many lengths behind.
The victory of Magic Million in the P.M. Bokdawala Memorial Cup was much easier then it looked. With Flowers of Music in front on the straight, Chary started to ride out on Magic Million. Leo’s ward was found to be traveling well and a smoother ride by the jockey would have ensured a bigger margin.
The well-bred Samsonite from Faisal Hassan’s yard reproduced his morning track work, scoring an emphatic victory in the lower division of the Best of Bold Plate. Finding Ferrari City going to the front, R.B. Shinde preferred to settle Samsonite in second and as the field took the final turn, sped away to win easily from Star Experience. Gold Leaf was withdrawn before the race.
Prasad Raju opened his account with Pluto Queen in the higher division of the Maltese Prince Plate. After a lung opener in the opening race of the monsoon season, Pluto Queen was sent into the race as the piping hot favourite and she lived up to the expectation, winning by a lengthening margin. Hundred Flowers and Sugar Deal took the minor placing in a close finish. Ashhad Asbar rode the winner.
The lower division went in favour of Zoheb Shaikh-trained Friendly Equation. Tracking Forest Flame till the distance marker, apprentice Ajith Kumar pushed Friendly Equation to score a popular win. Scorching Affair covered a lot of ground to finish second.
L. D’Silva, Ch. K. Chary and Ashhad Asbar were the professionals to score a double each on the day.
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