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COUNTRY’S PRINCESS SCORES OVER FANCIED STABLEMATE

By Mirror Image | 23 Dec 2015 | MYSORE


Trainer Feroz M Khan leading Country's Princess (Anil Baandal Up), winner of The P.M.Channabasavanna Memorial Trophy

Trainer Feroz Khan scored a one-two in the P.M.Channabasavanna Memorial Trophy, the main event of Wednesday’s races at Mysore but it was the lesser fancied Country’s Princess (Roi Maudit-Cute Princess / Stud) that scored over the well backed Country’s Courage. The half money favourite Kingoftheworld and Guesswork bolted on the way to the gates and both were withdrawn. Country’s Courage with jockey Y. S. Srinath astride was then backed down to be the overwhelming favourite among the seven starters. Jockey Anil Baandal took Country’s Princess to the front as the gates opened and ‘Courage’ was in chase. Inside the last furlong Country’s Princess was relentless and carried on till the winning post despite the best efforts of Srinath on Country’s Courage. Green Meadow and Silver Wood finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey Anil Baandal scored again on M.Bobby trained Phelps (Sedgefield-Great Colors / Jai Govind Stud) in the Christmas Plate, a seven furlongs race for horses rated 80 and above. A lot of money came on Arrete close to race time, backed down to be the favourite at 6-4. Phelps was liberal at 7-1. As the gates opened Phelps rushed to the front and grabbed the lead. Leading all the way Phelps was joined by Class Is Class approaching the distance marker but failed to go past as Phelps kicked on to the rider’s urgings. Sofast finished on in third ahead of Arrette.

Bipin Salvi trained Touch Of Romance (Chevalier-Taj Mahal / Ruia Stud who was winless from 13 starts broke the trend in the opener, the Pertigalete Plate. Sent off as the hot favourite at 10 – 7 ‘on’, Touch Of Romance tracked the leader Act Of Glory. Approaching the last 300 metres Act Of Glory came under pressure with the rider going the stick and Touch Of Romance came alongside and moved ahead without any fuss. Peppr rallied on to finish second while Neron came in to be third top weighted Diamond Attraction (Win Legend-Whisperred Gossip / Ponderosa Stud) scoahead of Cesaria. Act Of Glory was observed to have burst its blood vessels in the race.

M.Bobby trained Saturday Affair (Ace-Native Tactics / Poonawalla Stud) went on a start to finish bid in the higher division of the Taj Mahal Plate and just held on to win it. Saturday Affair settled nicely close to the rails to lead and enjoyed a clear led of about four lengths on entering the home straight. Speed Queen was making a bid in the centre of the track and Western Fleet in third along the fence. After crossing the 300 metres board Saturday Affair started to drift out of the straight course and Speed Queen was catching up. Saturday Affair held on gallantly by a ‘head’ despite the drift and survived an objection by the second placed Speed Queen. Western Fleet rallied on to finish third. Angel One was withdrawn before the race.

The top weighted Diamond Attraction (Win legend-Whispered Gossip / Ponderosa Stud) from trainer S.M.Johnson’s yard scored an encore in the lower division. Diamond Attraction was the smartest out of the gates but John settled the filly a close third behind Vroom Vroom and Magic Wave. On entering the straight Magic Wave surged ahead but was soon overtaken by Diamond Attraction who took the shortest way to forge ahead. On Her Own was finishing on to take the third place in a close finish with the runner-up. Dazzle Away finished fourth.

P.C.Tejaswi’s Zagato (Kheleyf-Better Off Red / Broadacres Stus) pulled it off in the division I of the Rajendra Vilas Plate. The odds on Zagato drifted out before the race and jockey Chetan Kalay held the gelding in mid-field till rounding for home. Finding a good gap along the rails Kalay brought Zagato through the shortest way and sneaked in on top of the straight. Nanuk tried to challenge but Zagato galloped well to score by over a length. Chandini rallied on to finish third ahead of Kir Royale.

Zareer Darashah trained Blue Zone Noverre-Isle Of Mull / Sohna Stud) necked out The Disciple in a keen fight in the lower division. Blue Zone shot to the front as the gates opened and went on a good pace to lead by about two lengths. The 5 year old was still in command on the straight and the favourite The Disciple who was a bit lethargic at start came in to challenge from the outside. The two began to fight out the last 200 metres and the stronger handling of Y.S.Srinath ensured a ‘neck’ verdict in favour of Blue Zone. Al Dorado finished on to be third in front of Starstruck.

C.D.Monnappa trained As Always (Brave Act-Somerset West / Kunigal Stud) sprang a surprise in the Nandidurga Plate. The race favourite Outer Space rushed to lead the field early and brought the field into view on the straight but was showing distress signs and beginning to fade out. As Always in mid-field initially came up well on the straight and surged past Arivederci, the first one to take the initiative on the straight. As Always kicked clear and scored the biggest upset of the day by a good margin. Catwalk Queen finished second ahead of Refreshed and Arrivederci.