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Rakesh Reaps the ‘Bounty’

By Mirror Image | 01 Jun 2012 | MYSORE


Trainer Rakesh leading Highland Bounty (M Rajesh Kumar Up), winner of The F.B.Sharma Memorial Trophy

Trainer Rakesh reaped rich, sending out three winners in a card of six races on Friday, at Mysore. Highland Bounty, Best Move and Color Me were the victors from the stable. Highland Bounty (Royal Kingdom-Vivienne) won the F.B.Sharma Memorial Trophy, the feature event of the day in a smart timing. Daring Dynamite and Nishi Girl disputed the lead till entering the straight from where the former stepped up momentum and looked to be travelling the better. Highland Bounty with apprentice M.Rajesh Kumar astride joined the fray with 300 metres left in the race and swept past the two in front with ease. Lotus Pond rallied in late to take the second spot ahead of Nishi Girl and Daring Dynamite. Bucethalis was withdrawn before the race on veterinary grounds.

The next two races were won by Best Move and Color Me to make it three in a row for Rakesh. Best Move (Greensmith-Pretty Move) romped home to lift the Kushalnagar Plate. It was Rajesh Kumar again on the saddle to complete a back to back double for himself. Rakesh’s ward Ice Weapon went into the race as the firm favourite but had to be withdrawn after he dislodged the rider while on the way to the starting gates and spent some time playing catch me if you can. Redshift was also withdrawn earlier and the field was ultimately reduced to eight. Rock All led early followed closely by Simply Dangerous, Sequana, Best Move and the rest further behind. Best Move unleashed a run widest of all and surged ahead with ease. Rock All towed in to finish second and it was observed to have come back lame on the left fore leg. Simply Dangerous and Sequana filled the frame.

Color Me (Brave Act-Color Me Red), who is on a song, reproduced her tremendous form to register a fourth win on the trot. Backed to the exclusion of the other runners, Color Me was the only favourite to oblige in the day. Settling well in second behind Precept till entering the last two furlongs, Color Me forged ahead and stretched out with ease to win by a big margin of five lengths. Cationic finished second while Sun Device and Speedy Amigo took the minor placing.

Micheal Eshwer’s Haggler (Placerville-Sky Rocket) completed an encore, winning the Nagamangala Stakes. Awesome Fighter went into the front quickly at start and came into the home stretch with a three lengths lead. Haggler started to inch closer with Truthandfaith also beginning to close up. Imran Chisty rode out Haggler to get the better of Awesome Fighter and hit the wire first in a three way finish with Awesome Fighter and Truthandfaith finishing second and third respectively.

Feroz M Khan’s Heartofglory (Sizzling Melody-Brave Beauty) sprang a surprise to win the Prince Regent Plate. Speck In The Sky, Heartofglory and Haute Appeal raced almost together in front till turning for home. On the final straight Heartofglory moved alongside Speck In The Sky and surged forward with a fluent gallop. Kukanof appeared late to take the second spot ahead of Speck In The Sky. The favourite Sea Jewel was slow at start losing almost five lengths.

C.D.Monnappa schooled Leather Queen (Flitch-Blue Chip) held on bravely from Corbett Queen to lift the Kaginele Stakes, the first race of the day. After chasing the front running Splash Of Beauty till the 400 board, Leather Queen pulled away from the rest and established a clear three lengths advantage over the nearest rival. Corbett Queen who was in mid field till the bend, moved closer and when shown the daylight on the extreme outside, quickened instantly and devoured ground but failed to nail Leather Queen by a slender margin.