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DECATHLON POCKETS A SECOND ‘MILLION’

By Mirror Image | 11 Jan 2013 | HYDERABAD


Mr K Rajeshwar Bhupal & traine L V R Deskmukh leading Decathlon (P S Chouhan Up), winner of The Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million Gr-3

L.V.R.Deshmukh schooled Decathlon (Phoenix Tower-Dancerllon) lifted the Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million – Grade 3, one of the prestigious events of the Winter racing calender at Hyderabad. The six furlongs sprint, a terms race for 3 year olds had four runners, three of them local contenders and the other, Cristoffe coming down from Bangalore with a debut win to its credit. Decathlon, who had pocketed a ‘Million’ on debut, at Pune was sent into the race as a firm favourite at cramped odds. Dandelion set out in front followed closely by Cristoffe, Decathlon and Santa Monica. Nearing the final 300 metres Cristoffe took charge from the tiring Dandelion and Decathlon was beginning to close up on the outside. Cristoffe and Decathlon went stride for stride inside the last 100 metres and the latter prevailed by a short head at the finish. 

Laxman Singh trained Front Line (Ikhtyar-Safe Haven) won the opener, the Ch.V.Lakshmi Prasad Rao ‘Sirdesai’ Sircilla Memorial Cup, a 2200 metres test of stamina. Five runners faced the starter and Nano Storm was the one who set out in front followed by Front Line, Golden Rule, Westminister and Handsome Hawk and the same order prevailed till they approached the final turn. Nearing the distance marker, apprentice Harinder Singh started to work his way of Front Line and the 5 year old progressed easily to get to the lead and win the race. Golden Rule and the favourite Handsome Hawk covered some ground from the rear but failed to get to the ultimate winner and finished second and third respectively.

Trainer Anupam Sharma saddled winners in both the divisions of the Step Aside Plate, a seven furlongs trip for maiden 3 year olds. Jockey Carlos Henrique was astride both the winners. Symbol Of Victory (Sedgefield-Broken Silence) came up with a spirited run in the last 150 metres to win the higher division in the shadow of the winning post. Kohinoor Thunder was on a start to finish bid and was almost two lengths in front as they passed the distance post. Henrique was working hard on Symbol Of Victory and the youngster who had not placed in its three runs, responded brilliantly to seize the race in the last few strides. Vijay’s Splendour also moved strongly but could only beat Kohinoor Thunder for the second place. Big Move came up late to finish a close fourth.

Chocolate Soldier (Rebuttal-Cover Up) won the lower division, beating Equalizer in a nail biting finish. Equalizer was up in front from the start with Chocolate Soldier in close attendance. Into the straight for the final run, Chocolate Soldier slipped in along the rails. The two went past the winning post together and the photo finish went in favour of Chocolate Soldier. Staminoizd and Riverdale finished second and third respectively in a close finish, about two lengths behind the duo in front.

D.Netto trained Yet Again (Oath-Romantic Pleasure) went well once again under A.M.Tograllu to score an encore in the Member’s Cup. The favourite Okai Okai Okai took charge inside the last 200 metres and Yet Again came covering plenty of ground from the rear to surge ahead in the last 50 metres. Symbol Of Beauty also came strongly from the rear but failed to collar Yet Again by a neck.

Netto and Tograllu had earlier teamed up to win the higher division of the Sweet Girl Plate with Key Note (Mr.Mellon-Hidden Agenda). Moving strongly on the extreme outside, Key Note went into the lead with 200 metres left in the race and stretched out comfortably to win. Dream Deal just managed to peg back the long time leader Rich And Famous for the second place.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan scored his double on S.S.Faisal Hassans Mr.Khoashteep (Quest Star-Dancer’s Quiz) in the lower division of the Sweet Girl Plate. The 5 year old who has hit a purple patch after a change in name won its fifth successive victory. Chouhan brought Mr.Khoashteep from the outside and swept past easily. Oru Oru Oru beat One One One in the shadow of the winning post for the second place.

Sk.Kassam trained Star Experience (Ontario-Pledge) chased the front running Bold Attack till the last 150 metres and surged ahead to win the Next Move Plate. Gold Medal, Mr.Glorious and Allianz Arena closed up the finish to end up in that order behind the winner in a close finish. Rise Of Emerald was withdrawn before the race.

A.Imran Khan piloted S.A.Shehzad Abbas’s Tico Tico (Greensmith-Romanza) to a comfortable win in the Common Land Plate, the concluding race of the day. Racing a handy third into the home stretch, Tico Tico moved ahead easily and stayed well to justify the favouritism. Sanjaa came in late to finish second in front of Apprise.