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WOMAN O WAR IS SIMPLY ASTONISHING IN FILLIES STAKES

By Madhukar Bhagawan | 24 Aug 2015 | HYDERABAD


Mr Sarasam Madhusudan Reddy & Trainer M Srinivas Reddy leading Woman O War (Imran Chisty Up), winner of The Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (Gr.3)

Woman O War (Kingda Ka-Silver Clasp / Nanoli Stud) set the track ablaze while winning her sixth straight win from as many starts in the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes – Gr.3, the first classic of the Monsoon season at Hyderabad. Young trainer M Srinivas Reddy has done a marvellous job in getting the filly to winning her first Classic from the time she was picked up for owner Mr.Sarasam Madhusudan Reddy. The daughter of Kingda Ka who won a ‘Million’ on her maiden start has added two more of them in her five wins on the trot before lining up as the favourite among the eight runners for the Fillies Championship Stakes. The manner in which she won the race was most astonishing and speaks volumes about her capabilities. Jockey Imran Chisty showed displayed his stature as a top class saddle artist after almost getting dislodged mid-way after the filly stumbled and nearly came down.

The Bangalore Derby winner Angel Dust set off on a start to finish bid followed by Maleficent, Starlet, Dazzling Bay, That’s My Darling, Heaven Is Here, Woman O War and Tronada. There was not much of a change in the order as they headed past the half way stage. Woman O War ran on to That’s My Darling near the 700 metres and stumbled, almost bringing down the rider. Chisty was quick to get the filly back to her stride. On top of the straight Angel Dust was still in front but was soon out of steam. Starlet grabbed the opportunity to go ahead and challenged soon by Dazling Bay and That’s My Darling from the outside. Woman O War was set alight from the extreme outside and covering ground from an almost impossible position the filly accelerated with great enthusiasm to corner the glory. That’s My Darling finished second ahead of Dazzling Bay while Heaven Is Here filled the judge’s frame.

There was high drama after the first race, the Elusive Hero Cup - Div.I. M Srinivas Reddy trained Azazil (Tariq-Vivienne) was piloted by ‘Terrific’ Trevor to win by a clear two lengths from the race favourite Undu Undu Undu. Golden Phoenix who led from the top of the straight lost the runner-up berth by a slender margin.

There was some commotion near the weighing room and a Steward’s enquiry into the race was announced.  It was a case of the missing ‘tongue strap’. The favourite Undu Undu Undu was supposed to have sported a tongue strap but on closer observation near the starting gates by a Stipendiary Steward and the starter, it was missing and there was an announcement while the loading operation was in progress that Undu Undu Undu will be running without the tongue strap.

After the race was over it is reliably learnt that the owner of the horse along with a few more ‘knowledgeable’ owners of Hyderabad protested on the issue that culminated in the Stewards ordering an enquiry and Undu Undu Undu being declared a non-starter.

The hapless punters especially at the off course centres were kept in the dark all through about the reasons for the steward’s enquiry and the subsequent outcome. The lack of transparency in dealing with racing issues at this centre was probably the cause for all the confusion. The officials could have tied the tongue strap near the starting gates. A senior racing official of the country confirmed that the rules permit replacement of lost or damaged special / additional equipment near the gates under the supervision of the stipendiary stewards present there and it is done whenever required at most racing centres.

To add to the confusion the trainer is supposed to have insisted that his ward had the tongue strap on all the way and his stable hand removed them after returning to the unsaddling enclosure. It is reliably learnt that an enquiry is opened into incident. On the aisles of all this muddle the common punter was left wondering what action the Stewards would have taken if the horse had won.    

Go For Gold (Rebuttal-Noorani) was given a determined ride by P Sai Kumar to lift the Original Vel Mrs.Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup – Div.I. Beau Ideal got to the front early and led till the last 200 metres. Go For Gold began to get stronger from the outside and grabbed the lead. Ocean Side came closer towards the closing stages but Go For Gold was safely home by three parts of a length. The long time leader Beau Ideal finished third in front of Hidden Power.

Laxman Singh trained Dance To Destiny (Ikhtyar-Maya) justified the favouritism in the lower division. Racing in about seventh all along the fence till turning for home, Dance To Destiny was pulled out to look for a clear path and with a resolute gallop shot ahead to win it. Lips Locking came flying in the last 100 metres but fell short by a ‘head’ at the finish. Blossom finished third ahead of Modern Sniper.

 Trevor Patel piloted Ananta Vatsalya trained Mangalyaan (Ravel-Dandiya) to victory in the Raja Saheb of Itkyal Memorial Cup. D’Silva’s Amethyst ridden by Suraj Narredu garnered maximum support, being sent off at half-money. Approaching the distance post there was a rush for position with the leader Green Striker joined by Tokyo Bloom, Flower of Timba and Mangalyaan being launched from the outside. Amethyst who was just behind the pack was locked up for room and was pulled out to make a bid. Mangalyaan fought out with Tokyo Bloom and stepped up on the throttle to go clear. Manogamini finished second with the favourite Amethyst close behind in third. Jockey Suraj Narredu took an objection against the winner for interference and the Steward’s after reviewing the race overruled the objection.

The speedy Celestial Fire (Arabian Gulf-Dannenberg) from trainer K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s stables bounced back to winning ways in the A Krishnaswami Memorial Cup. Jockey Suraj Narredu drove Celestial Fire to go to the lead at start and brought the field into view on the home stretch. Whispering Pines and the ‘even’ money favourite Faster Than Light were in chase close behind and the first named packed up early. Suraj gave a couple of cracks to his filly and she skipped away to go clear from Faster Than Light. Odysseus and Wine N Dine finished third and fourth respectively.   

Laxman Singh’s youngster Little Smart Heart (Diffident-Oojah) won the division I of the Scenic Royale Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for 3 years old horses in a convincing fashion. The filly was the smartest at start and hit the front but was held back to track Commanding Boy who showed speed to go to the lead. Approaching the last 300 metres jockey Kuldeep Singh gave a few cracks and the filly surged ahead and stretched out comfortably. Class Act warmed up late to get the better of Commanding Boy for the runner-up berth.

S S Faisal Hassan’s Malakeye Ziba (Alnasr Alwasheek-Bourbon) on its second start won the lower division. Majorca was taken on a start to finish bid with Malakeye Ziba in chase all the way. With about 300 metres left from home jockey Akshay Kumar started to ride out Malakeye Ziba and the filly picked up speed readily to forge ahead and score a maiden win. Apache Gal came in late to snatch the second place from Shivalik Bird on the post while Majorca weakened to finish fourth. 

K Satheesh trained Ice Crystal (Noverre-Mandavilla) completed a hat-trick in the Delage Plate. Vijay Sakhi brought the pack home and looked good even with 100 metres left from the finish but suddenly began to pack up and Ice Crystal charged in to grab the opportunity and pull it off. Vijay Sakhi lost the second place to Jerrell inside the last few strides.