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EFFORTLESS WIN FOR RUBY QUEEN

By Mirror Image | 19 Jan 2009 | HYDERABAD


Ruby Queen

Prasad Raju's Ruby Queen clinched the Ch. Satyanarayana Rao of Itkyal Memorial Cup in an effortless fashion. A chance ride for Imran Khan, as T.S.Jodha was declared medically unfit to ride after a fall in the second race, had little to do in the race. Having finished a close second to Dorabella in her earlier essay, Ruby Queen went into the race as on money favourite. Ruby Queen was sighted a winner very early on the straight when she overtook Mission Chief. Touch of Gold finished second with a late run ahead of Vijay Marg.

One Mission won the Telengana Cup in a nail biting finish from Spy Mate and Global Presence. The race in itself kept the entire grand stand at the edge of their seats throughout the home stretch and till the judges declared the winner. When the favourite, One Mission was announced as the winner, the stands went up to a big roar. Global Presence came in first on the straight with Spy Mate and One Mission getting closer in full throttle. Kamlesh had to use the stick freely on Spy Mate as Imran pushed One Mission in full vigour using only his hands and heals, knowing well that his mount does not relish whacking. Global Presence was also not giving up, along the rails and the three flew past the winning post locked together. The magic eye went in favour of One Mission, the proverbial hair line seperating him from Spy Mate. Global Presence was third a neck behind.

The Gangothri Plate, a race for maiden three year old horses was divided into two races. Ace High won the lower division from the favourite Greek Fire, on whom the rider rode like a China Man. Queen of Hebashe earned her win in the higher division after a grueling fight with Vijay Teja, Al Jeezan and Pythagoras throughout the last 300 metres. Within arm's distance from the winning post, Queen of Hebashe had passed Vijay Teja, when jockey T.S.Jodha went down on the ground. Vijay Teja went lame on the left fore and stumbled, dislodging the rider. The three year old was later put to sleep. Al Jeezaan was a neck behind second and Pythagoras took the third spot.

Citi Dancer outclassed the opposition in the Adler Plate. The Scot took a four length lead passing the final bend but was a spent force, on top of the straight. Citi Dancer overhauled The Scot easily and drew away for an encore.

Fantastic Boy brought the field into view on the straight in the Red Rufus Plate. Imran guided Royal Dignitary through the shortest way and took over with 400 metres left in the race. Ocean of Pearls and Local Ikon joined the fight and jockey Harish who had replaced Jodha on Local Ikon prevailed over Royal Dignitary at the finish. Cannon Treasure came from way behind to finish third.

Danzsingh won the higher division of the Imperial Lady Plate while Alcohology claimed the lower division. Daniel Grant on Danzsingh was made to sweat out, by Unexpected Twist, who was getting closer with every stride in the last 100 metres, before the winning post coming to Grant's rescue. Rostock warmed up late and finished third. Alcohology gradually improved his position widest of all and whizzed past with a terrific burst of speed to clinch the lower division. True Force who led on the straight finished second, while Chief De Mission improved from a hopeless position, to finish third.

Harish and Imran Khan who are leading the jockey's tally with equal number of wins, won two races each. Trainer K,S,V,Prasad Raju completed a double.