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ASHWA SHAKTI SCORES AN UPSET VICTORY

By Mirror Image | 05 Jan 2014 | HYDERABAD


Trainer L V R Deshmukh leading Ashwa Shakti (Ajit Singh Up), winner of The Sri A.S.Krishna Memorial Cup

L V R Deshmukh trained Ashwa Shakti (Rebuttal-Speedwell) galloped resolutely down the last furlong to score an upset win in the Sri A.S.Krishna Memorial Cup, a 1200 metres sprint event that featured the small card of six races on Sunday at Hyderabad. The speedy Dazzling Empress hit the front at start, followed closely by Vijays Conquer and Street Magic. The favourite Sweet Candy travelled in about fourth position while Ashwa Shakti raced behind in sixth. As they came into the last 250 metres Dazzling Empress was relentless and continued to hold on to the lead. Ashwa Shakti improved from behind under apprentice Ajit Singh and with a resolute gallop sped past to get to the front. Young Soldier came up strongly towards the closing stages but could not collar Ashwa Shakti and finished second half a length behind. Dazzling Empress ended up third in front of Sweet Candy.

Deshmukh had led in Magical Spell (Phoenix Tower-Goodness Gracious) earlier in the day in the higher division of the G V Rao Memorial Cup, to be the only professional to score a double. Jockey Y S Srinath who was astride Magical Spell settled the filly well to race fourth behind Bold Attack, Coral Springs and Power Drive till entering the home stretch. As the race got to a boil, Power Drive and Magical Spell surged forward together and moved away from the rest. The two fought for a short while and the stronger jockeyship of Srinath enabled Magical Spell to forge ahead by half a length at the finish. Coral Springs and Prince Prashant finished third and fourth respectively.

D Netto trained Ancillary (Lucifer-Auxiliary) was ridden to victory by Kuldeep Singh in the lower division. The favourite Baazigar led the field from the start and was clear by over three lengths as they came into the final straight. Ancilary travelling in about ninth position on top of the straight manoeuvred its way through the field in front and started to close the gap with a strong gallop. Staying The Best also moved well on the inside. Ancillary travelled the better and surged forward to spare a length and a half at the finish. Staying The Best which was hampered for a clear run at a crucial juncture in the final stages finished second ahead of Baazigar. The rider of Staying The Best lodged an unsuccessful objection against the winner for interference.

The opening race, the Galactica Plate, a five furlongs dash for maiden 2 year olds was won by Anupam Sharma schooled Dolce (Hymn-Ivona) in the Steward’s room. Nano Class led the field from the word ‘go’ and was tracked by Dolce all the way. As they moved into the last 400 metres, Dolce began to close up and finding the gap between Nano Class and the inner fence wide enough, went for it. The gap started to narrow down as Nano Class shifted in gradually and jockey Carlos Henrique on Dolce checked his mount and shifted course to the outside. The filly failed to get to Nano Class by a length and a half and was originally placed second. Henrique took an objection against Nilesh Rawal, the rider of Nano Class for interference and the Stewards after viewing the replay decided to uphold the objection. Dolce was declared the winner in the revised order.

Flamboyant Star (Rebuttal-Go High) from the stables of K.Satheesh scored its maiden win in the Running Flame Plate. Set for the gruelling 2400 metres for the first time, Flamboyant Star raced towards the rear of the five runners till the final bend while Vijays Splendour tried starting to finish tactics. On the home stretch Flamboyant Star began to respond to the rider’s urgings and bridged the lead of over four lengths that Vijays Splendour had taken and surged forward to take charge with about 100 metres left from home. Cheyenne finished second ahead of the tiring Vijays Splendour.

M V Narayana Rao trained Cascading Glory (Storm Trooper-Wild Glory) which had not won a race for over two years showed a clean pair of heels to its eleven opponents in the Nilgiris Plate, the concluding race of the day. Moving quickly from draw 11, Cascading Glory was taken to the front by apprentice A K Pawar as they passed the 800 metres marker and won unchallenged on the straight. Baba’s Gift, Staminoizd and Musk Melon filled the frame in that order.