A Glorious career of Coral Gables came to an end on a high note, when the progeny of Young Senor won the H.P. Mistry Memorial Cup, a race for horses in the highest category. This race was incidentally the last for Coral Gables and the nine year old who still has zest for racing, romped home in style, winning for the twenty-eighth time in his illustrious career. He had to fight out with Champ Forever on the straight but held forte throughout to win convincingly. Khaleels Pride was withdrawn after he was troublesome at the gates. A coincidence, jockey Harish who partnered in his twenty-eighth win had done so even in his first.    

Speaking to India Race after the race, an elated Leo D’Silva mentioned that this was the best horse he had trained so far. Speaking more of this glorious horse he said that initially as a baby it was a difficult horse to train, “I was on the verge of saying goodbye as his actions were bad and it took a long time to get him right” said Leo and added that Coral’s first win came on the last day of his first season. “He got left by six lengths at the gates but was a clear seven lengths in front of the rest at the finish and that’s when I realized his class”.

“I didn’t extend him over a mile as he was slightly dip back and low pastern horse along with being a bleeder and having back problems”, added Leo “in spite of all the problems, he has always given his best and we are proud of him”.

The 2000 Guineas win at Hyderabad was Coral Gables only Classic success, having won quite a few graded races at the home centre and at Bangalore. He was rather unlucky to finish second in both the Super Mile and Sprinter’s Cup at Madras.

Star Senora picked up speed and went ahead of Vijayam on top of the straight in the Artillery Cup, the supporting event of the day but Suraj Narredu with some vigorous riding on Dash of Class surged ahead and held on from Golden Tricks who flew in from the last position to finish second.

The two divisions of the Rayalseema Cup were won by lesser fancied runners. Tigana with a spirited run in the last 100 metres overpowered the top weighted Costa Mesa and won by two lengths. Six runners behind the winner finished within one length with Hunting Boy coming from way behind taking the second spot ahead of Costa Mesa and Ruben Stein. Dancing Harbour in the higher division was the biggest upset of the day. Acciaccatura was striding better than Superflous on the straight when Netto’s Dancing Harbour came up with telling strides and shot past the duo to win close home.

Going by the book odds, the Republic Plate looked quite open. Imran Khan kept Dating ahead of the field on entering the straight and increased the lead to about four lengths by the time she passed the distance marker. Regents Park, who was travelling in mid field for most part of the race, came up with a late dash in the last 100 metres but found himself a trifle late.

Faisal Hassan’s India Gate won the opener, the lower division of the Royal Prince Plate. Rainbow Fog with a late essay finished second. The money back favourite Kohinoor King from Laxman Singh’s yard lifted the higher division in the able hands of Englishman Richard Smith, who registered his win at Malakpet on debut. The Beatles Angel finished second with a late run.

Kamlesh persisted with Preston Bailey and that paid dividends as the horse began to respond well in the last 100 metres passing the early leader Archon and warding off the late challenge of Yanamaria, to win the higher division of the Mother’s Boy Plate, for maiden three year olds.      

Zambo Anga and Chesapeake drew away from the rest of the field and fought out the final furlong before Ruzaan with some brilliant piece of riding edged out Chesapeake to win by a length.