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‘ROSES IN BLOOM’ AT MALAKPET

By Mirror Image | 19 Jan 2014 | HYDERABAD


Trainer S A Shehzad Abbas leading Roses In Bloom (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Deccan Bookmakers Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr.1)

Roses In Bloom (Multidimensional-Roses In The Snow), owned and trained by S.A.Shehzad Abbas was ridden with great aplomb by Suraj Narredu to emerge victorious in the Deccan Bookmakers sponsored Golconda Derby Stakes – Grade I, the Blue Ribband of the Winter Races at Hyderabad. It was a momentous occasion for Shehzad Abbas to lead in his third Derby winner, having won the Monsoon Derbies earlier on Man of The Match in 2006 and Sparks in 2009.

“Words cannot describe my feelings” said an emotional Shehzad Abbas while expressing his happiness on winning the plum. “To own and train a Derby winner is something very special for me” he said speaking to Indiarace. “She didn’t get a good ride in the Oaks, else she would have finished more prominently” he added.

Pursuit of Fame set out in front followed closely by Racing Ahead. The favourite Southern Emperor was very keen in the early part but the rider Sreekanth held him back to settle in fourth while Crown Emperor moved to run third. As they headed past the half way stage Racing Ahead went past Pursuit of Fame and Southern Emperor dropped back along the rails to run third last. As they turned for home Sovereign Rule improved swiftly to challenge and surge past the relentless Pursuit of Fame even as Racing Ahead faded out. Roses in Bloom travelling at the tail for almost half the trip began to improve steadily to be at a striking distance as they came into the last 400 metres. The final assault was timed to a nicety by Suraj Narredu and the filly charged down Sovereign Rule inside the last 150 metres to forge ahead and win by half a length in the closing stages of the race. Southern Emperor was brought out to make its bid on the extreme outside and the favourite covered plenty of ground from the rear but that effort was not timed to perfection and the gelding ended up third.

“I expected the pace to be fast and preferred to sit off the pace” said jockey Suraj Narredu. “I picked on the horses one by one and got to a striking position as we landed for the final burst. The filly responded really well and I am happy that we could pull it off” he added.

Un Un Un (Duja-Serious Trouble) from the stables of R.H.Sequeira lifted the Eureka Forbes Youngster’s Million, a 1200 metres Terms sprint for 3 year old maiden horses. Four Youngsters lined up for the start with D’Silva schooled Alemeda which had finished second in both its earlier starts being sent in as the favourite at ‘Evens’. First timer Un Un Un was next in demand at 9-4. As they began to race Un Un Un headed to lead the field quickly followed closely by Alameda, C Eleven and Happy Guy. Into the final two furlongs Un Un Un continued to hold the advantage even as jockey A.Sandesh started to ride out Alameda. The duo broke away from the other two and a battle royale continued till the end. Jockey P.Trevor on Un Un Un kept riding out and the bay colt responded well with a splendid gallop to keep Alamada at bay till the winning post.

Laxman Singh trained Tejaswini (Princely Heir-I Have A Dream) extended its winning streak to four on the trot, in the Deccan Prince Cup. The filly after completing a hat-trick was strongly supported for the seven furlongs trip against its eleven opponents, sent in at 10-9 ‘on’. Palm Springs and Tejaswini rushed to the front and raced together till the top of the straight. Aventus and Aware were together another two lengths behind followed by the rest. Inside the last 400 metres Tejaswini took charge readily and Aventus was the only one which came with a challenge. Jockey A.M.Tograllu kept urging Tejaswini and the filly kicked on well to pass the winning post a length and a half in front of Aventus. Aware and Palm Springs filled the judge’s frame in that order.

The Aristocrat Cup was won by M.Srinivas Reddy trained Havoc Carnival Dancer-Integra) beating the favourite Fairy Emperor by half a length. Havoc which had not succeeded after winning on debut bounced back well to get to the winner’s enclosure. Fairy Emperor went to the lead within the first furlong and was the first to show up on the final straight. Princess Cruise, Havoc and Montauk joined Fairy Emperor and the four were almost in a line as they went past the distance marker. Jockey P. Venkat started to ride out Havoc with intent and the 4 year old also responded well to peg back Fairy Emperor by half a length at the finish. Montauk was third another ‘neck’ away. Graceland was withdrawn after being troublesome near the gates.      

Trainer Sequeira’s double came through Flying Dutchman (Hurricane State-Integrate) in the higher division of the Squanderer Cup. Flying Dutchman tracked the leader Star Engagement till entering home straight and when asked for an effort by apprentice A.K.Pawar the 5 year old gelding rallied well to shoot to the lead and score an encore. The favourite Winjoy warmed up late to finish second ahead of Okai Okai Okai.

Mr Khoashteep (Quest Star-Dancer’s Quiz) from S.S.Faisal Hassan’s stables pulled off an upset in the lower division. Mukhtar set out on a start to finish bid followed closely by Mr.Khoashteep. Inside the last furlong Mr.Khoashteep picked up momentum and moved forward to get to the front. Hidden Power made a late bid but Mr.Khoashteep had passed the winning post by a length and a half. Any Given Time and Ice Lolly finished third and fourth respectively.    

K.Satheesh trained Sweet Candy (Hurricane State-Integral) sprang a surprise in the Secretariat Cup. Power Planet rushed to take over the running as the gates opened and tried to make it a start to finish affair. Sweet Candy travelling along the rails till the final bend moved out as the entered the straight and with a flourish sped past Power Planet. Nasheeta and Ocean Side filled the frame in that order. Proof was withdrawn after its jockey Y.S.Srinath hurt himself near the gates.

Donald Netto started off the day with his 4 year old gelding Big Move (Epicentre-All Heart) being ridden by Imran Chisty to an impressive encore in the Roman Beauty Plate. Big Move which had won two races earlier, both over nine furlongs, was settled well in fourth position while Frontline made the running in front as they started off for the 2000 metres trip, followed closely by Flying Spur and Ice Barrier. The rest were behind with the favourite Decathlon traveling second last. Approaching the half way mark, Decathlon improved quickly to move to second position and took charge as the head past the 800 metres marker. Chisty was not perturbed by Decathlon’s move and waited in third even as Frontline fell back before the bend. On the home stretch Decathlon was still in front but failed to produce anything extra when Big Move came up with a challenge and surrendered rather meekly. Ice Barrier finished on to be the runner-up, beating Decathlon by half a length.

L.D’Silva trained San Ramon (Placerville-Sorrento Steel), whose only three wins had come as a hat-trick performance when he was a 3 year old during the Monsoon of 2012, was strongly supported to be the firm favourite in the lower division of the Singh Plate and the gelding justified the support with jockey A.Sandesh piloting it. Racing in about fifth till passing the 600 metres board, San Ramon found the shortest way clear and slipped in as they turned for home. Carrying the top weight of 62.5 kilograms on the back San Ramon went to the lead inside the last 250 metres and held on gamely from the fast finishing Jaz Elle. Enigma finished third after being in the hunt all through the straight.

Anupam Sharma trained Symbol of Beauty (Hymn-Bumper to Bumper) who was winless from 32 starts finally found the big day to come out of her maiden ranks in the higher division of the Singh Plate, the concluding race of the day. Racing Queen came in to the straight first. Symbol of Beauty started to close up from the rear and with a strong gallop forged ahead in the last 100 metres. The favourite Over Shadow began to close up towards the closing stages but fell short by quarter of a length at the wire.                                   

Trainer R.H.Sequeira was the only professional to score a double on the big day.