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APRIL SHOWERS FILL THE ‘CUP’ TO THE BRIM

By Mirror Image | 06 Jun 2013 | MYSORE


Trainer Kishore C V G K leading April Showers (A R Pradeep Up), winner of The Chamundi Hills Cup

C.V.G.K.Kishore trained April Showers (Ajaad-Taxido) scored an overwhelming victory in the Chamundi Hills Cup which featured the day’s card on Wednesday at Mysore. This is the first win for the six year on this track after shifting base from Hyderabad about a year ago. April Showers had finished third behind Alabama on the opening day of the season, in the race that was won by Duma. On the basis of that run Alabama was strongly fancied to win the six furlongs trip, sent into the race as an ‘odds on’ favourite. April Showers was second in demand, rather liberal at 6-1.

Alabama went to the front from the inside draw and called the shots to bring the field into view on the straight. April Showers was settled easily in about fourth. Inside the last 400 metres April Showers started to move up strongly and scuttled away to win by three lengths. Alabama did not reproduce the required acceleration to thwart April Showers’ forward trust and eventually lost out the runner-up berth to Caldera.    

Kishore was the only professional to score a double on the day, the other winner being Greenbro (Greensmith-Iquique), in the H.Krishna Naik Memorial Stakes. Jockey M.Madhu Babu held back Greenbro towards the tail of the five horses’ field for the first three furlongs of the 1800 metres trip. Chapandas was in the lead followed closely by Euphoria, Behram, Born To Perform and Greenbro. Nearing the 1200 metres Greenbro made a swift move from behind and shot to the front with 800 metres in balance. Greenbro had established a good four lengths lead on the home stretch and Euphoria bridged that lead rapidly inside the last 100 metres but went down by a ‘head’ at the wire. The rider of Euphoria lost his whip in the last 100 metres and that probably ruined his chances of a win. Born To Perform finished third.

Debutant Ayman (Danehill Star-Didjeridu) from Vikram Appachu’s yard won the race for three year olds, the Arakalgudu Plate. Held close to the inner rails by D.Gnaneshwar in third position till the last 500 metres while Brazilian called the shots, Ayman slipped in to take charge rounding the bend and won being eased up despite the rider losing his whip 100 metres from home. Carisma, who had to be pulled out to get a clear run, was finishing on to take the second spot. Brazilian finished third.

Dinesh Pujar trained Cash Is King (Serious Spender-Song of Freedom) defied the stiff penalty of 16 points incurred for its win a fortnight ago to win the Malavalli Plate. Cash is King set off on a start to finish mission, carrying the top weight of 61 kilograms and successfully pulled it off by a big margin of five lengths. Blues And Royals was the best of the beaten lot, finishing second while Diamond Flame finished third.

Z.Darashah trained All For Cash (Royal Kingdom-Am Capable) won the Kollegal Plate. Settled to race in about fourth or fifth till entering the straight for the final run, All for Cash was pulled out by P.Trevor when he found the gap along the rails closing up. Once shown the daylight on the extreme outside, All For Cash galloped with a flourish to win comfortably. Indian Royalty, which received spirited betting towards race time, going into the race as the favourite, finished second. Byzantine and Sunny Seven filled the frame.

Mischief (Crown Jewel-Indian Diva) from the stables of Vishal Yadav won the higher division of the Chaitanya Chakram Plate. A close second to friendless Beautiful Green on the first day here, Mischief was backed to the exclusion of the other runners, closing at a short price. Mischief settled towards the rear in second last position while Unexpected Visitor was in the lead with Chantilly Jewel and Leather Queen in close attendance. Inside the final run on the straight Chantilly Jewel surged ahead and tried its best to kick on. Jockey Goutham Raj Urs started to work his way on Mischief from the rear and the filly responded readily to nail Chantilly Jewel on the post.

Ranjeet Shinde trained Vertex (Young Senor-Alzira) successfully pulled off a good gamble in the lower division. Racing at the tail end till the last 600 metres, Vertex began to improve places and with a sustained effort along the inner rails, collared Prost close to the winning post. Stardom Girl and Wimbledon Star filled the frame.