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PROTECTOR OF PARIS WINS THE VICTORY ZONE TROPHY

By Mirror Image | 30 Dec 2015 | MYSORE


Trainer S M Johnson leading Protector Of Paris (M J Gautam Raj Urs Up), winner of The Victory Zone Trophy

S.M.Johnson trained Protector Of Paris (Noverre-La Cienega / Sohna Stud) scored a stunning upset in the Victory Zone Trophy, that featured Wednesday’s races at Mysore. Protector Of Paris with no recent form to go by was not in the reckoning in the betting as the eleven horses lined up for the start. Skyfullofstars garnered maximum support and Lucky Emerald was the second in demand.

Protector Of Paris raced in about seventh position till approaching the final turn. As they entered the straight the gelding rushed to get to the lead and surprised everyone by kicking on easily till the finish under M. J.Goutham Raj Urs. Nanuk was in chase all through the straight to take the second place. Lucky Emerald rallied on to finish third. Star Mountain filled the judge’s frame and the favourite ran disappointingly in fifth.

G.Srinivas Babu trained Zidaan (Mull Of Kintyre-Adam’s Delight / Capricon Stud) scored an encore in the Halebeedu Plate. Jockey Nitin Singh had the 6 year old gelding settle nicely in second behind Divine Love right from the start. Passing the 500 metres board Divine Love started to drop out and Zidaan surged ahead to be the leader. There was no serious challenge emerging from behind on the straight and Zidaan won with a measure of comfort. Absolute Brave beat the rest to be the runner-up. Castle King and Society Music finished third and fourth respectively. Dyna was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Manjri bred Kingoftheworld (Phoenix Tower-Sandslash) made an impressive debut in the Kutta Plate. Country’s Courage got to the front as the start was given and Kingoftheword rallied easily to settle in second. Inside the last two furlongs jockey Suraj Narredu nursed Kingoftheworld to get beside Country’s Courage and the young son of Phoenix Tower drew clear with ease with 200 metres left from home. Haloween’s Way rallied late to beat Country’s Courage for the second place. Country’s Angel finished on in fourth. Iroko was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Bipin V Salvi trained Belle Etoile (Noverre-Almanzora Bay / Sohna Stud) went on a start to finish bid in the Splash Plate and fought hard with the favourite Ensatus Elegans to win it. Belle Etoile came well from the outermost draw and was along the fence in the lead within the first furlong. On entering the straight Ensatus Elegans came to challenge with Time Matters also gaining ground from the wider outside. At one stage it looked like the favourite Ensatus Elegans was going to pull it off but Belle Etoile fought back with renewed effort and made it to the winning post by a neck in front. Time Matters was a close third.

The 8 year old Royal Prodigy (Royal Gladiator-Bountiful Gesture / Pratap Stud) from trainer Ranjeet Shinde’s yard carried the top weight of 62.5 kilograms to a pillar to post victory in the Solitaire Plate. After leading all the way from the start into the final straight Royal Prodigy extended the lead and won easily from Subhagya occupying the second place. Yamas ran on to finish third ahead of Strive And Serve.

 

C.D.Monnappa trained Silver Oak (Charmo-Majestic Ceeson / Singh Stud) was backed well to win the last race of the day, the higher division of the Varuna Plate and the grey gelding did well to win by a lengthening margin. With P.S.Chouhan astride Silver Oak raced behind Ice Splendour till the top of the straight and grabbed the lead readily. Drawing clear Silver Oak extended the lead to over four lengths at the finish. Oceana finished second while Grand Celebration ended up third. Masteroftherolls was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Trainer P.C.Tejaswi teamed with C.Harish to complete a double through Young Gallant (Tejano-Aldiora / Sans Craintes Stud) in the lower division. Young Gallant got to the front before turning for home and never looked back after that. Sharp Girl was in chase throughout the straight but lost out the second place to the late finishing Bryant Park in a close finish. Delta Delight was fourth in the same photo frame.

The trainer jockey combination had scored earlier through Neron (Ikhtyar-Social Place / Nanoli Stud) in the opener of the day, the Kovalam Plate. Coffee Time after running prominently all along had taken charge inside the last 400 metres. Neron improved to challenge and after a brief tussle surged ahead to gain the advantage. Green Emerald turned up late to finish a close third. Friends Forever ended up fourth.