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AN ‘OAKS’ FEATHER TO SUR LA TETE

By Mirror Image | 06 Jan 2014 | HYDERABAD


Trainer S Padmanabhan leading Sur La Tete (David Allan Up), winner of The Golconda Oaks (Gr.2)

Chestnut Filly Sur La Tete (Burden of Proof-Running Flame), the property of Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan and Mr S. Padmanabhan representing Radiant Bloodstock Pvt. Ltd. and trained by S.Padmanabhan , the man with the ‘classic touch’ lifted the Golconda Oaks Grade II at Hyderabad on Monday. It was another outstanding feat by Kunigal Stud, with Burden of Proof siring the 1-2-3 in the Oaks. Apparition and Scarlet O’Hara finished second and third respectively completing the exceptional exploits of Burden of Proof.

The manner in which Sur La Tete, a long shot among the nine runners for this ‘ladies classic’ achieved the triumph was astonishing and surprised everyone. The filly cut her own pace and almost made every post over the gruelling 2400 metres a winning one. Sur La Tete found a clear run, away from the pack after taking off from the outer most draw. The filly was going over the 12 furlongs trip for the first time and jockey David Allan tried to hold her in check towards the rear. On sensing that she was showing all keenness to run free, David let her go and the filly took over the running near the 2000 metres board. Scarlet O’Hara tracked the leader, followed by Laguna Beach, Roses in Bloom, Apparition and the rest. Into the last 400 metres Sur La Tete kept kicking on and stretched out well to keep the rest at bay. Apparition improved inside the last 200 metres to finish second while Scarlet O’Hara did well to take the third spot. The favourite Roses in Bloom was hustled for position from the half way mark with the rider trying push out Apparition all the way till rounding the final bend. Roses In Bloom was left with nothing in reserve and finished a tame fourth.

Two youngsters from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard made impressive debuts, wrapping up both the million races of the day. Culebra won the richly endowed Byerly Turk Million (Gr.2), while Vijay Viraaj enthralled in the Hyderabad Juvenile Million.

Culebra (Phoenix Tower-Chabada) sporting the colours of Mr Aditya P Thackersey raced a close third behind Alameda and Exclusive Wiley till approaching the last 600 metres. Improving steadily from the outside Culebra moved to be second behind Alameda as they entered the home stretch with the leader still enjoying a lead of over three lengths. Jockey Imran Chisty started to work his way on Culebra and the filly responded well to bridge the gap inside the final furlong and sped past with 100 metres left from home. Alameda settled for the second place while Ice Cave was third many lengths behind.

Vijay Viraaj (Jeremy-Linette) ridden by Y S Srinath was sent in as the favourite at cramped odds among the eight youngsters for the seven furlongs event.  The son of Jeremy moved quickly around the field to get to the front after jumping out well from the outer most draw. Once into the home stretch Vijay Viraaj stretched out well and won with a comfortable margin. Sensei was in futile chase all through the straight to finish second while Rani ended up third another four lengths away.

Jockey Y S Srinath completed a brace for himself when he guided M Srinivas Reddy trained Sheer Genius (Gaswar-Carrera) to almost a start to finish win in the Raja Bahadur Venkatram Reddy Memorial Cup, a 1400 metres race for horses in the highest category.  Sheer Genius was urged by Srinath immediately after the start and the 5 year old improved readily to take the lead within the first 200 metres. Sheer Genius came into the straight with a lead of over three lengths and maintained that till approaching the distance marker. The favourite Nasheeta began to gather momentum in the last 200 metres and the lead started to diminish but Y S Srinath’s strong riding enabled Sheer Genius to spare half a length at the finish. Oasis Vision and Ocean Side finished third and fourth respectively, with just a ‘head’ separating them.

D Netto trained Ceremonious (Mr Mellon-Supromene) pulled off a popular win in the Banarsilal Gupta Memorial Cup. The 5 year old raced along the inner fence all the way from the start. Approaching the last 300 metres, jockey Kuldeep Singh on Ceremonious found A Horizontal Urge, Super Cool and Carson Troy involved in a tussle and anticipating that he may not get a clear passage pulled his mount out to make a bid from the outside. Ceremonious started to pick up speed when shown the daylight and with a with a strong gallop sped past Super Cool and Carson Troy inside the last 50 metres to win. Care Less Love filled the judge’s frame.

Laxman Singh trained Natalia (Bahamian Bounty-Night Dancer) started off the day with a hard fought win in the Salarjung Cup. Mount Titlis led the field from the start and maintained a lead of over two lengths even as they approached the final furlong. Natalia in chase all the way was being urged relentlessly by jockey A M Tograllu. The filly gained momentum when Chief Executive also moved up alongside with a challenge and rushed through to grab the lead. Chocolate Soldier came in late along the shortest way to finish third behind Chief Executive.

Trainer Laxman Singh completed a double with Black Bolt (Ivory Touch-Negress Doll) in the Musical Morn Plate, the concluding race of the day. The 4 year old which had finished second in its last six starts finally came good to win by a comfortable margin. Racing a close third behind Golden Arrow and Mr Glorious, Black Bolt shot into the lead passing the distance marker and extended well to spare three and a half lengths to the favourite Vijays Triumph.