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COLOMBIANA LIVES UP TO EXPECTATIONS

By Mahendra Mallya | 22 Nov 2015 | MUMBAI


Trainer M Narredu leading Colombiana (P Kamlesh Up), winner of The Maharaja of Morvi Trophy

Colombiana (Noverre – Wonder Smile, Sohna Stud) came into his own dishing out a neat performance to shake off his spate of finishing runner-up several times and scored a prolific victory to claim the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy. The Malesh Narredu ward settled quickly into third as Sugar Bay got past Mount Rushmore to lead the field all the way into the homestretch. Colombiana made steady progress without having to make much effort and sailed into the lead past the 400. Jockey P Kamlesh had little to do as the bay colt accelerated well and had sealed the issue at least a furlong from home. Mount Rushmore was all out, while Magnificence arrived late from the rear to take the second spot. Bold Appeal failed to impress and would need to improve a lot more. Colombiana proved far superior to the bunch and looks in fine fettle to add to his win tally.

Malesh led in another winner in the very next race, this one at lucrative odds, when his Sweeping Star (Arazan – Sweeping Success, Exhilaration Stud) romped home with surprising ease over a mile race. Yash Narredu guided the filly to the front past Essence of Love and then stepped on it once they turned for home. Yash’s move of playing catch-me-if-you-can came good as Sweeping Success maintained high speed in her relentless gallop towards the winning post. Favourite Avant Garde struggled to match strides with the leader and although she was not too far behind in second, she could not quicken as desired. Avant Garde may have needed the run and she did well to stave off Traherne for the runner up berth.

Trainer Pesi Shroff picked up a double as well, leading-in winners in the day’s opening and concluding races. His Lord Jim had only one rival in Rodeo and he conquered Rodeo with ease. Lord Jim, with NS Parmar in the saddle, was up in front soon on start and Rodeo stayed right behind all the way into the straight. However, Lord Jim looked clearly in command as he shot away from Rodeo once in the straight and galloped on to score by a good margin. Rodeo was hapless and never looked like making it at any stage. Neither the distance nor the weights was going for Rodeo who ended a tame second.

Solange (Teofilo – Shadow Roll, Nanoli Stud) scored her second win back-to-back after her fluent maiden win in Pune. This time too she looked well in control and although the margin was not as wide as it was in Pune, she was as composed in her Mumbai campaign start as well.

Solange improved gradually from the mid-bunch to be a prominent second behind leader Grand Vitesse at the turn. Majestic, the other fancied runner was too far back from the action and Pure Bliss was further behind languishing in the rear.

Solange made the forward surge to take charge approaching the distance post, with Grand Vitesse reluctantly giving up the lead. Solange responded to the constant urging from jockey PS Chouhan and steered clear of the rest right through to the winning post. Majestic warmed up far too late indicating that he would relish the longer distance. Grand Vitesse stayed on and lost the second berth a stride away from the wire and returned a good third. Pure Bliss did very well to catch a place in the frame covering a lot of ground in the straight.

Confiance (Varenar – Si Gentille, Equus Stud) was the popular fancy after her awesome victory in Pune and she obliged her followers pulling off another victory. Beyond Horizons built a longish lead with Another Conquest in second. Confiance raced alongside Eduardo with Sunny Sea a close last.

Another Conquest made her move early in the straight and got past the leader. Confiance arrived soon with a steady run and a couple of cracks was all it took for her to fight her way past Another Conquest and score a comfortable victory. Another Conquest gave it her all ending a close second. Eduardo and the rest were clearly outpaced by a good margin.

Faisal Abbas trained Sumaaq (Kingda Ka – Confluence, Tohana Stud) had not much to show in her last three races, yet was confidently backed in the ring. Sumaaq made it quite comfortably in the end, but had to move all over the place changing lanes constantly yet coming up trumps. Magic Vision had just taken over the lead from Allegiance but had Sanam tagging along. Past the distance post, Magic Vision and Sanam were engaged in a hard battle. Sumaaq had moved out from the rails and was making her run from the wide outside. However, jockey Ajinkya switched course to move up from the inside skirting around the fighting duo and Sumaaq finished on gamely to win by a length.

Song of Africa led from the early part until they turned for home, but stable mate Mt Tianmen picked up solid speed to surge ahead in the first half of the straight. Apprentice jockey S Amit rode out confidently and had the Magan Singh ward charging ahead to draw away from his rivals. Passion Prince tried hard to get into the thick of things, but failed to sustain. Pretty Hot finished on well to take the runner up berth. Song of Africa stayed on to save place money.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff and Malesh Narredu saddled a double each.