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DIVINE FRIENDSHIP SCORES A STUNNING UPSET

By Mirror Image | 18 Feb 2015 | MYSORE


Trainer Rakesh leading Divine Friendship (Sarvan Kumar Up), winner of The Aandolana Trophy Div-I

Trainer S.Rakesh had a rewarding day, winning four races including the main event of the day. Divine Friendship (Sharp Attack-Bribe N Prejudice / Gee Stud) pulled off a stunning upset in the higher division of the Aandolana Trophy, the feature of the day. Divine Friendship jumped out smartly from the outermost draw and was quick to be on the haunches of the leader Spinning Chakram. Even before showing up on the straight Divine Friendship was taken to the front by apprentice Sarvan Kumar to head the pack and built up a useful lead. Precious Replica was the only challenger in sight but Divine Friendship kept up the momentum despite lugging out in the last 100 metres. Precious Replica finished second while Rising Rani and Rocketeer finished third and fourth respectively.

C.V.G.K.Kishore trained Country’s Beauty (Roi Maudit-Jazz Dancer / Country Stud) who is in pink of form scored her fourth straight win in the Gulburga Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for horses rated 80 and above. The filly took an impressive start and shot to the lead. Class Is Class was in chase followed by the rest of them. As they came into the last 400 metres Country’s Beauty quickened nicely to extend the lead to almost three lengths but started to veer out of the straight course. Class Is Class tried to take advantage from the inside but Country’s Beauty stayed clear by a length at the finish despite finishing wide on the stand side. Bold Police finished third another 3 ¾ lengths away. Castle King was withdrawn on veterinary grounds in the morning. 

Rakesh started striking right from the first race of the day. His youngster Siddhani (West Verginia-Royal Guest / Nakul Stud) did well to earn her second win in the Indi Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for 3 year old horses. Siddhani shot to the lead as the field took a start but was headed by Dare The Don nearing the 800 metres. Into the straight for the final run, Siddhani regained the lead without any fuss and stayed well till the winning post. Evander and Al Dorado were in a close finish for the second and third place respectively. Generous Gesture ended up fourth while the favourite Premier Ace was reported to have returned lame. Sakura Delight was withdrawn after being troublesome near the gates.

The second success came through Smart Mistral (Sedgefield-Oberon’s Mistral / Jai Govind Stud) in the lower division of the Ellora Plate. Smart Mistral set off on a start to finish bid over the sprint and kicked on well in final 300 metres. Peppr and Coffee Time were the only ones who offered some challenge and the latter managed to reduce the winning margin to half a length while the former finished third another two lengths adrift. Golden Wisdom was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the starting gates. Well fancied Lake Of Magic reared up as the gates opened and was planted there.

Gayle’s Storm (Gaswar-Am Capable / Lingwood Stud) gave the third winner to Rakesh in the Sriharikota Plate. The 5 year old bay roan, winner of its last start over a mile carried the top weight in to an easy win in the higher class over a similar trip. Gayle’s Storm was a bit sluggish at start but soon brushed up to be in about fifth position as they approached the final turn. Queens Colour was the first to enter the final straight followed closely by As Always. Gayle’s Storm started to collar the duo from the outside and surged ahead easily inside the last 150 metres. As Always finished on to be second while Counter Point took the third spot in front of Queens Colour.

Trainer S.M.Johnson saddled a ‘well backed’ double using the services of jockey Nirmal Jodha. Protector Of Paris (Noverre-La Cienega / Sohna Stud), a failed favourite in its last start made amends in the lower division of the Aandolana Trophy. The connections reposing their faith on the 5 year old once again, Protector Of Paris landed as the favourite at 11-10. Tracking Starstruck for half the distance of the seven furlongs trip, Protector Of Paris too charge and stayed on to pull it off by a neck from Time Flies who decided to challenge rather late. Distant Promise and Divine Love finished third and fourth respectively.  

The double came through another ‘good one’ from the stable, Oscar Sparkler (Warrshan-Miss Rising / Pratap Stud) in the higher division of the Ellora Plate. Jockey Nirmal Sing settled Oscar Sparkler nicely behind the leader Magic Wave till turning for home. Entering the straight Oscar Sparkler moved quickly from the outside to head to the lead and opened up to finally prevail by a length from Robinhood Pandey. The favourite Campeon who was a bit lethargic at start came up with a late burst towards the finish but could only end up a neck behind the runner-up in third. Mother Ewa after rallying in second on entering the straight ended up fourth.                 

Manjri Stud Bred Nanuk (Arabian Gulf-Market Guru), trained by Zareer Darashah scored an encore in the Aperitivo Plate. The 4 year old gelding, a winner over nine furlongs in its previous start was sent off as the favourite at 7-4 among the eight runners in the higher class for the similar trip. After a good beginning Nanuk was settled well in third by jockey Keanen Steyn while Gun Powder and Lad Lady disputed the lead. Rounding the final turn and entering the home stretch Nanuk grabbed the lead swiftly and built up a lead of over two lengths. Kolaveri Di started to get stronger inside the last 100 metres and bridged that leeway at a fast pace but fell short by a ‘head’ at the finish. Gunpowder stayed on to finish third.

S.Santosh Rao trained Green Emerald (Mull Of Kintyre-Make Over / Amanali Stud) who had remained a maiden from fifteen starts finally came good to win the Vesuvius Plate, the concluding race of the day. The well supported Lincon Continental had taken charge after a brief duel with Ophira mid-way up the straight and was looking good when Green Emerald began to raise a good gallop when given a clear run from the outside to flash past and earn its first corn bill. First timer Ruthba was finishing on being third and is the one to be watched when saddled next.