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Optimus Prime wins the A P Governor’s Cup

By Mirror Image | 19 Aug 2012 | HYDERABAD


Mr. Karan Brar & trainer Arjun Mangalorkar leading Optimus Prime (P S Chouhan Up), winner of The A.P.Governor's Cup

Optimus Prime (Valid Concept-Actuate) a highly rated 6 year old from Arjun Mangalorkar’s stables completed the formality, in winning the A.P.Governor’s Cup, a terms race for horses 3 years and upwards, which featured Sunday’s races at Hyderabad. Only three horses had accepted to vie for this coveted trophy and all of them were from racing centres outside Hyderabad. Arjun Mangalorkar trained Optimus Prime who has peaked to perfection, having won two graded races in a row at Bangalore, before arriving at Malakpet, was the favourite against the two opponents.

Class Apart led the field from the start with Maddox racing three off the fence, in second while Optimus Prime was a close third along the rails, with just about 2 ½ lengths covering the three horses. Inside the last two furlongs Maddox started to get closer to the leader and P.S.Chouhan guided Optimus Prime in between the two rivals. With minimum effort from the saddle, Optimus Prime went ahead to complete a hat trick. Maddox took the second spot, pushing back Class Apart.

P.S.Chouhan and A.Imran Khan were in the limelight, booting home three winners each. Ananth Vatsalya was the only trainer to saddle a double.

The 5 year old filly Golden Queen (Ikhtyar-Killarney) from Laxman Singh’s stables made it a pillar to post victory in the Basalat Jha Memorial Cup, a terms race for horses in the highest category. Apprentice Harinder Singh had to just niggle the filly to keep her going, on the home stretch and keep at bay Vijay Monarch. Golden Palace and Melody Queen filled the frame. Malabar Prince was planted in the gates and did not jump out.

The ‘odds on’ favourite Flying Spur (Don Machilleto-Upper Brook) from the stables of S.A.Shehzad Abbas, just about managed to get the better of Laurel Canyon in the shadow of the winning post, to score an encore, in the Regency Plate, the opening race of the day. Laurel Canyon headed to lead the field as they took off from the gates and Flying Spur moved to be on the haunches of the leader by the time they passed the 1200 metres board. The two were running abreast as they approached the last furlongs and Laurel Canyon under P.S.Chouhan looking to be unrelenting. Imran Khan on the favourite started to ride out and pulled off a ‘head’ victory at the wire. Nano Desire finished third ahead of Home Town.

L.D’Silva trained Big Boss (Don Machiletto-Shades of Beauty) put in a mighty effort inside the final furlong to wrap up the higher division of the Own Opinion Plate, a six furlongs sprint for maiden 3 year olds. Super Cool was on a start to finish bid and Chouhan on Big Boss was exerting pressure although the leader had a lead of over two lengths with 300 metres left in the race. D’Silva’s ward picked up momentum inside the last 200 metres to bridge the gap and shoot ahead.

Donald Netto’s Star Saloni (Young Senor-Mikado), ridden by Imran Khan, lifted the Grand Parade Cup. Russian Rhytham was in the lead from the start with the favourite Sheer Genius close behind while Star Saloni raced towards the rear. Improving gradually, Star Saloni was up in seventh as the heads turned for home while Sheer Genius made progress to take over the running from Russian Rhytham. With a fluent run, Star Saloni picked on the half a dozen horses in front and went ahead to win comfortably. Sheer Genius held on to finish second in front of the late finishing Hero’s Choice.

Faisal Hassan trained Citi Supreme (Kly Green-Supreme Fantasy) won the Xisca Plate from the race favourite Audacious in a keenly fought clash right through the last 300 metres of the seven furlongs trip.P.S.Chouhan took Citi Supreme to the front at start and Audacious was in chase throughout. With about 300 metres left from the finish, Imran started to ride out Audacious and moved alongside Citi Supreme. Chouhan continued to use the stick freely on Citi Supreme and successfully pulled it off by a ‘short head’ at the finish.

Sorbitrate (Dancing Beggar-Stolen Blessing) rallied well to win the higher division of the Vijayanagaram Plate. Star Experience warmed up late to finish second, ahead of Fopping and the favourite One One One. Armada was withdrawn after he refused to move into the gates.

Ananth Vatsalya’s Kohinoor King (Placerville-Abbess), who had won a race almost two years ago had come down considerably in rating and a quite touch had landed the 6 year old as the favourite in the race.Galloping strongly on the final straight, Kohinoor King steered clear of the front running Fine Racer near the distance post and was on his own in the last furlong. Chayanandan, Aneres and Tillcowscomehoe filled the frame while Fine Racer dislodged its rider 100 metres from home.

Vatsalya saddled a double through another well backed Golden Jewel (Chatam Strait-Plano) in the last race of the day, the lower division of the Own Opinion Plate. After tracking the front running Dastaan till the top of the straight, Golden Jewel took charge and drew away to shed her maiden ranks in taking style. Kohinoor Revanta finished second many lengths behind.