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Haunting Memories too good

By Sharan Kumar | 11 Jun 2006 | BANGALORE


Haunting Memories (B.Prakash up), winner of the FilliesTrial Stakes (Gr.I), being led in by Mr.Z.S.Poonawalla, Mr.M.A.M.R.Muthaiah, Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy & Mr.S.Ganapathy

Ganapathy trained Haunting Memories is several notches above her contemporaries. The ease with which she spread-eagled the field in the Gr. 1 Fillies Trial Stakes on Sunday was a further confirmation of the fact that Haunting Memories will continue to be invincible. Her sixth straight win came with ridiculous ease as she shot through the rails into the lead at the top of the straight along the route provided along the rails by stablemate Ruby Brown. Lombardie, who was bidding for a hat-trick, was under immense pressure but she managed to claim the runner-up spot comfortably from Rain Splasher. Not since the days of Elusive Pimpernel and Mystic Memory has one trainer commanded the best of both sexes in the same year. While Haunting Memories will continue to add to her list of achievements, the unbeaten son of Placerville, Southern Empire is sure to extend his 'empire' right around the country. Haunting Memories went into the race as the shortest priced horse in the history of this race as the general perception was that the gold and brown colours would occupy the first two slots in the races. Star Perfection was expected to follow the favourite home but she did not run to expectations when finishing a tame fourth. Ruby Brown set a slow pace as Prakash on Haunting Memories was biding for his time to shift from the outside draw to the rails. The opportunity was provided as Rain Splasher did not step up the pace behind the leader and this allowed Haunting Memories to move to the desired position. Lombardie raced behind the front-runners, with the others following in close proximity. The only runner who was not herself was Sarabande who was hampered by the breaking of her girth buckle. Jockey M R Singh repeatedly looked back to see where his stablemate was and once he was sure of the position, he moved away from the rails to let Haunting Memories slip through. Haunting Memories quickened in a trice and went away from a win in a smart time of one minute 37.70 seconds. Lombardie came the shortest way home as Suraj Narredu elected to come wide on Rain Splasher and the former held on to the second spot ahead of Rain Splasher. Lombardie is rated highly by her trainer Imtiaz Sait and going by the style of running of both the second and third placed horses, they may fare better over longer trips. Real Excellence, who had showed out in a mock race, had it easy against in the 1400 metres Elusive Pimpernel Cup (Div I). Woman In Charge led the field till the final furlong but once Real Excellence warmed up, there was no stopping the well bred son of Steinbeck who charged home. Woman In Charge was second ahead of The Dreamer while Auchinlech put in a disappointing performance. The lower division of the race was claimed by Andreas who made a profitable start to finish dash. Mucho thwarted the bid of favourite Allied Victory to get the runner up spot. Hyderabad horses were in limelight in two of the nine races. The run benefit surely helped Sir Onslaught who ran prominently and then held on to win from a late-finishing Bold Request. Jockey M Ravi did not let Golden Circle run to potential and despite the best effort of the jockey to restrain it from running on merits, Golden Circle dragged herself to the fourth spot but the jockey got away with a mere fine. Lancashire proved too good in the 1400 metres Ich Dien Plate, with a spirited run in the final two furlongs to win as he pleased from Mister Trooper and Senna. Musical Signature just about managed to edge out Hold The Fort to save the day for the followers of the favourite. Jockey Shabuddin lost the whip in the straight and this perhaps could have made a difference to the final outcome. Satish Narredu, who saddled Musical Signature to victory, had another winner coming through Amazing One who claimed the 1800 metres Sir Charles Todhunter Memorial Cup with ease from Sharp N Smart. Favourite Magical Mystery who bolted to the front and set a scorching pace from the word `go’, packed up without a trace by the time the runners negotiated the final bend. In the day’s other action, Alagi who had been pretty consistent, came through to win the 1100 metres Galilee Plate quite easily from Really Romantic who came up with a late flourish. The fancied Seize The Night was never in the hunt.