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ETERNAL FLAME WINS KUNIGAL BREEDERS PRODUCE STAKES

By Mahendra Mallya | 31 Jan 2015 | MUMBAI


Trainer S Ganapathy leading Eternal Flame (David Allan Up), winner of The Kunigal Stud Breeders' Produce Stakes (Gr.3)

The decision to get Eternal Flame (Arazan – Yutai, Poonawalla Stud) proved spot on for trainer S Ganapathy as the Bangalore based filly ably ridden by David Allan stamped her authority in claiming the Kunigal Stud Breeders’ Produce Stakes. Eternal Flame settled back at the tail end of the field as Polished Chrome sped away soon after the jump.

As they turned for home, Costa Del Sol made an early move and got past the leader. While Ostwind had nothing much to offer, Eternal Flame started to progress soon in the straight. Costa Del Sol appeared to cash in on that early move until midway in the straight. Eternal Flame started to bridge the gap briskly and then charged in inside the final furlong to collar Costa Del Sol and post a fluent victory.

Maximus( Royal Kingdom – Marquisa, Ruia Stud) proved a giant killer as he downed Maisha who may have found six furlong a trifle  sharp coming back to sprint from longer trips. Maisha was never in a position to make a race of it, languishing in the rear right from the start. To Maisha’s defence, she stumbled soon on start and that may have unnerved her at an extent.

Victorious March led them in and galloped on until well into the straight. Maximus then took charge with a little over a furlong to go. He accelerated well to surge into a handy lead and kept his momentum going right through, making the others do that extra bit to get past him. Moon Shadow put in a hard gallop but could not match up to the leader. One Kept Secret was there and there, but not really looking too dangerous. Mykonos and Misha made hiter run from the wide outside. Maisha gathered speed in the final 100 and covered a lot of ground, but not enough to topple the leader. Maximus held on narrowly to get the measure of Maisha, who fell short by a neck.

Followers of favourites had taken a battering with Maisha’s loss but if they were looking for respite there were further set-backs for them. Belgian Blue was backed down to on-money at race time and Belgian Blue too came a cropper with outsider Nicanor (Ontario – Strange Destiny, Sohna Stud) proving a thorn in the flesh. Their fight began early in the straight. Nicanor built on his early advantage and galloped on gamely. Belgian Blue too came with a sustained bid and joined alongside Nicanor. They battled hard but in the end, Imran Chisty got Nicanor to crane his neck ahead and pull off a narrow win.

Jockey P Trevor once again proved he is sublime touch rattling off three winners in the day. He began his successful drive right from the first race.

Partnering SK Sunderji trained Brown Dynamite (Home Affairs – All First, Mebajeona Stud), Trevor was at his aggressive best when he produced Brown Dynamite to the front soon on turning for home. Zabarwan fought hard most of the way but in the final 100 meters, Trevor was in control as he surged ahead to win by a comfortable margin. Zabarwan was all out yet could not salvage much as both komandant and Royal classic got past him to take the minor placing. Komandant in particular put in an impressive run to improve commendably and finish second.

Beach Game (Noverre – Bibi Karam, Sohna Stud) scored a stylish encore and Trevor had little difficulty in pulling this one off. Sitting well up, Trevor guided Beach Game to challenge Shygirl past the 400. The duo matched strides until the distance post with Shygirl reluctant to surrender her lead. Beach Game however, grew stronger towards the finish to go away and post a convincing victory. Lucky Charm merits a mention as he finished on fastest, covering a lot of ground to end in the money.

Trevor compiled a fine treble astride debutante Hidden Soul (Phoenix Tower – Sail By Roos, Manjri Stud) with a timely run. At the start, Niobrara showed good speed to lead the pack. Hidden Soul was right on his tail as they turned for home. Niobrara galloped on but had Hidden Soul tagging along, waiting to pounce on him. The inevitable happened soon past the distance post as Trevor managed to get that extra surge from Hidden Soul and drew away in the final 100 meters. Favorite Mister Majestic who was in following the two in front all the time, failed to quicken and ended a tame third.

Hosidar Daji trained Egyptiana (Chinese Whisper-Natouchka, Paramvir Stud) rallied strongly inside the final furlong to deny a win for Merchantofvenice in the Division I of the Bagpiper Championship. Merchantofvenice had rushed to the front from the outermost draw early in the race and was looking good mid-way up the straight. Egyptiana was alighted to the task by jockey Sameer Khan and the filly responded with a good turn of foot to snatch the verdict in her favour by three parts of a length close to the winning post. Cha Cha Cha was finishing on towards the closing stages to be a close third.

Jockey S.Zervan had his solitary win on Janardhan trained Eduardo (Excellent Art-Pickwick Papers, Nanoli Stud) in the Antiquity Rare Cup division I. The 4 year old was sent off as the favourite among the fifteen contenders for the seven furlongs trip. Taking off from draw fourteen Eduardo settled in mid-field for most part of the race and when urged by Zervan inside the last 300 metres came up with big strides to head past Tempest and score its maiden win. Lancelot beat Tempest for the second place.

H.J.Antia trained Extreme Love (Noverre-Extreme Contact, Sohna Stud) scored an encore in the McDowell Signature Premier Trophy, Division I. Racing in around ninth or tenth turning for home, Extreme Love was guided through the wide gap along the fence by Bhawani Singh and the 5 year old gelding streaked through to grab the lead with a furlong left from home and staved off the late challenge of Chase The Ace.