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AFTER A LONG WAIT PUNTERS ENJOY A GOOD RUN

By Ikram Khan | 19 Dec 2015 | BANGALORE


Trainer Neil Darashah leading Ambleside (M Prabhakaran Up), winner of The Amathos Plate Div-III

After a long wait, the punters enjoyed a good run on Saturday, six firm favourites nailing bold colours to the mast in the eight events. Most big bettors and a majority of small investors who choose to invest in many pools recouped most of the losses suffered last week and this has helped restore the confidence of the railbirds at this centre.

The Neil Darashah-trained Ambleside who had caught the eye while finishing an easy fourth in the hands of Pradeep Chouhan in her last essay was fancied most in the third division of the Amathos Plate and the public choice who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring cruised home in the hands of Prabhakaran. Real Generous from trainer Mahesh’s yard despite looking a trifle gross at the paddock parade flew in to take the runner-up spot ahead of Rare And Famous and is one for the notebook.

The topweighted Scorching Vulcan was fancied most by all the track reporters, impressed most by his performance in a mock race and his earlier performances on the trial track. But the connections, it is learnt, were not too happy  taking into account that the Sharath ward was bad at the gates.  While the connections chose not to punt  the  men clocking time at the morning trials after making their investments were laughing all the way to the bank, the Sharath ward cantering home .  Aguante another from Mahesh’s yard finished a creditable second.  

After  last start winner Force Ensign  opened favourite in the lower division of the Sharavanabelagola  Plate, money came pouring in on the Rajesh  Narredu schooled Super Strong and  Suraj Narredu  packed punch on his brother’s ward to peg back the effort of Force Ensign.  Our Little Dragon in his attempt to make every post finished a fair third  and is capable of chalking up his second victory this season if Warren manages to pitch him in a moderate set.

The principal added attraction, the Chickmagalur Nirvanappa Shetty Nanjamma TMP Cup produced a shock result, the ten to one shot What A Wonder edging out another lesser fancied contestant El Fenix close home. The hot favourite Silver Legend  failed to display his true potential over the nine furlongs trip. It is learnt that the public choice was treated for fever 10 days ago and that must be the one reason for the below par effort of the favourite. Marine One who made all the running in this event appears to be fast sliding down after the initial promise last winter.

In the upper division of the Amathos Plate, the second in demand at the betting ring Downton Abbey from Arjun’s yard bolted to  the front and established a good long lead at the top of the straight before she lost her legs and at this juncture Sir majestic streaked ahead only to go down fighting to the well backed favourite Integrated powerfully piloted by leading pro Srinath.  Integrated looks a goodtype and is set to provide an encore.

On the strength of his impressive effort, second behind Shivalik Star in his last start,  Smile Stone rightly garnered the maximum support despite the fact that this Sharath ward had always failed to negotiate the seven furlongs trip.  This was proved right again, the favourite failing to make the frame. The six to one shot Jackie Oh piloted in determined fashion by Imran Chisty gained the day. Renee finished on purposefully to take the second spot ahead of Nesto while Emperor Cruise who failed to gain a favourable position all through the trip caught the eye while finishing a suggestive fourth.

Chisty astride the on-money favourite One Big Gang had it easy in the second division of the Amathos Plate. The Dominic ward  who found one better on a couple of occasions in summer hit the front soon after the big field of dozen runners came under the starter’s flag and the race was over even before the field negotiated the final curve. One Big Gang is at his best and it will pay to again follow him when saddled next.

The final event, the upper division of the Sharavanabelagola Plate saw another public choice Russian Link romp home in the hands of Imran Khan. The Prasanna ward who reportedly had put on  27 kilos after his last essay in summer looked fit and well at the paddock but most old hats in the game  were seen advising the big bettors not to go with the favourite and as a result the price on Russian Link drifted out to (18/10) from (13/10). But that did not stop the connections of Russian Link from strongly supporting him and  the game galloper justified the confidence of his supporters, Imran driving him home to a convincing victory. Absolute Red who finished third is slowly yet surely getting close to make his mark and it will not be long before this Irfan ward earns his cornbill this season.