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Diabolical has it easy in Usha Stud Million

By Sharan Kumar | 23 Jul 2006 | BANGALORE


Diabolical (B.Prakash up) winner of the Usha Stud Bangalore Summer Million (Gr.3), being led in by trainer Mr.S.Ganapathy

Ganapathy trained Diabolical proved too good for the opposition in the Gr 3 Usha Stud Bangalore Summer Million, with a comprehensive victory on Sunday. Rain Splasher who was expected to put up stiff resistance did not perform to expectations, as she ran into problems mid-way through the straight and finished fourth. It was Stafire who impressed, taking the second spot. Rain Splasher has consistently let down despite great things expected after her lashing debut win and until otherwise proven, she has a long way to go.

Diabolical was backed to the exclusion of his rivals and unlike in handicap races where one is not sure whether the favourite would put his best foot forward or not, the son of Major Impact was inclined to go with public expectations. After Serious Warrior set the pace and weakened well before the final turn, Diabolical who was running a handy third, gradually worked his way to the front and sped away from the opposition on turning for home.

Stafire came from behind to finish second ahead of Alandra while Rain Splasher who was boxed hopelessly between these two horses, lost ground as a result of being checked and raced on the wide outside. Rain Splasher needs to improve with time to prove that she is not overrated. On the other hand, Diabolical who won as he pleased, can prove a handful if campaigned in the monsoon classics. The stable surely has an embarrassment of riches. The drifting price on Daring Bid in the Batu Gantong Plate (Div II) was a clear indicator of the shape of things to come.

Daring Bid was tardy at the start, travelled wide and then dropped to the rear and in the straight covered places to be fourth. In the absence of any meaningful opposition, Stride To Strike won quite easily, at nourishing odds, to provide new trainer Warren Singh a great start in his new vocation. Bullet Proof who had let down thus far as a fancied runner, was seen in different colors this time out in the upper division. After being held back, Bullet Prof produced a stunning run on the wide outside to win with great ease. Favourite Stage Coach had all the chances but did not have the ability to justify the public confidence.

Padmanabhan trained Carmina Burana recorded a facile win in the 1400 metres Squanderer Cup, a race for maiden three-year olds. Mallesh Narredu waited with the favorite well into the turn before setting alight the daughter of Placerville. Carmina Burana produced a big gallop to easily overhaul the front-running Woman In Charge to record a comfortable win. Priceless Forever ran on to finish third, just about nosing out Mischief Inhereyes for the berth. Smart N Unique who had not been extended last time out, was not hard-pressed to win the Poonawalla Stud Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 60 to 90, run over seven furlongs.

Smart N Unique picked up momentum on the wide outside and held off a late bid by Premier Star who had to cover plenty of ground on the eventual winner, after failing to take a prominent position early and gracing the rear till the final bend. Another fancied runner Aura, who took a similar path, did not quicken and finished a poor fifth. Ryeback who had the first run on his opponents, did well to finish second best. The upper division of the race saw an upset in the form of Talk of the Devil getting the better of favorite Habat.

Talk of the Devil who had let down twice, finishing second best, was bang on target, with a sustained run in the final furlong to collar the front-runner. Star Distinction was keen to run into prominence but did not get the signal to do so. Padmanabhan who is going through a bad patch, with as many as 17 of his horses running second best during the season, recorded his first double of the season, when Capriani held off a challenge of Carabinieri to land the spoils. With the price on favorite Peace Prize drifting out alarmingly, Capriani was backed spiritedly and the daughter of Mischievous Music obliged readily. Peace Prize was with the bunch till the 800 metres marker but when the pace quickened, Prakash stayed put and this ensured that Peace Prize would not finish among the front-runners.

Apprentice jockey C S Jodha rode a peach of a race astride Smarty Pant to enable the Mumbai challenger to record a win at nourishing odds. The Arti Doctor trained Smarty Pant was kept a handy second along the rails and the apprentice made his move in the final furlong and drove out spiritedly to contain the challenge of favourite Bons Amis who flattered to deceive. Surely, Jodha has a good future if he keeps a straight course.

Trainer Karan Singh finally opened his account when Lady Superior hammered the opposition in the Brave Dancer Plate. Euston who enjoyed public favouritism, was a lost cause at the final bend and finished a dismal fourth.