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ASHWAR RAFTAR WINS THE JUVENILE MILLION

By Madhukar Bhagawan | 11 Jan 2016 | HYDERABAD


Mr A K Jaiswal & trainer Anupam Sharma leading Ashwa Raftar (Imran Chisty Up), winner of The Bhagyanagar Juvenile Million

It was ‘Blood-Bath’ for the followers of favourites at Malakpet on Monday with only one favourite obliging in a card of nine races. Rank outsiders dominated the proceedings in the rest of them. Anupam Sharma trained Ashwa Raftar (Sedgefield-Slam Strike/ Jai Govind Stud) was the only favourite that made it and he too just managed to scrape through by a paper thin margin in the Bhagyanagar Juvenile Million. Among the five horses for the terms race run over seven furlongs, Mahathi led the pack early, followed by Exclusive Wind, Scooby Dooby Doo, Ashwa Raftar and Euro Zone. Approaching the last 250 metres Ashwa Raftar was taken to the front in a swift move by Imran Chisty. Mahathi began to gallop with renewed effort with lopsided effort from the rider and came menacingly close but the winning post came to the rescue of Ashwa Raftar. Euro Zone, Scooby Dooby Doo and Exclusive Wind finished in that order behind, all of them in the same picture frame.

The day of the outsiders started with K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s filly Bharat Princess (Kingda Ka-Pickwick Papers / Nanoli Stud) winning the opener of the day, the Common Land Plate. Racing second last till the last 600 metres, Bharat Princess started to make a bid from the wide outside and challenging Tiger and Naamdhari inside the last 200 metres surged ahead to wrap it up by a length and three parts. Tiger held on to the second place from Naamdhari. The favourite Limitation finished fourth.

 Baazigar (Chatham Strait-Rising Tide), a 15-1 shot from trainer Shansuddin’s stables went on a start to finish bid in the Sardar Mohan Singh Bagga Memorial Cup and successfully pulled it off. The favourite was in chase all through the 1200 metres distance and lost out the runner-up berth to Win And Enjoy in the closing moments of the race.

L.D’Silva trained Grand Canyon (Danehill Star-Lenavi) turned out to be the biggest upset of the day. The 6 year old gelding won the higher division of the Members Cup. After a good start from the innermost draw Grand Canyon fell back to race with the back benchers. Rounding for home Grand Canyon started to improve places from the outside to be in striking position. Rumaiya Vastavaiya had taken charge on the straight and Grand Canyon came with a strong challenge. Travelling better Grand Canyon went ahead easily from Ramaiya Vastavaiya. Upon A Star was third and Amazing Power fourth.

Trainer Ananta Vatsalya scored a double through Buckshee and Arrey O Samba. Buckshee (Top Class-Pomme De Terre / Mukteshwar Stud) was confidently ridden by apprentice G.Naresh to lift the lower division of the Members Cup. The filly jumped out smartly and settled well to lead along the fence while Goldie joined up from the outside and the favourite Beauty Flash sitting pretty in third. Inside the last 200 metres Buckshee continued to hold the lead and kincked on gamely with Goldie in chase. Beauty Flash failed to accelerate when asked for an effort and fell back. Danielle ended up third ahead of Symbol Of Honour.

Arrey O Samba (Thewayyouare-Adios Meadowlake) who was winless from 16 starts came good to win the Mountain Lily Plate, the concluding race of the day. Off to a good start from draw one, Arrey O Samba led from the word ‘go’. On entering the final straight the gelding had a lead of over two lengths and won easily from Ice Cave and Captain General who fought on for the minor places. Canberra finished fourth. Kohinoor Valour and Well Wisher were non-starters in the race.

Trainer Anupam Sharma who had led in the winner in the main event of the day scored a double through Catherine (Warrshan-Outtostealthescene) in the division I of the Northern Dancer Plate. Showing plenty of speed Catherine set out to lead the field closest to the fence. Inside the last 200 metres the rider K.Mukesh Kumar gave a couple of taps and the 6 year old picked up speed to go away from Aston Doulton who was in chase right from the start. Romantic Fire and Aware finished third and fourth respectively. Altruist was withdrawn before the race.

D.Netto trained Dream Vision (Mathematecian-Crown Vision) in only her second start won the higher division of the Next Move Plate. Miramar raced in front with Dream Vision nicely in second along the inner rails. George Cross and Miracle Man were closing up from the outside on entering the straight. Approaching the last 300 metres Dream Vision made way for herself and skipped between horses to streak into the lead. Miracle Man was closing up inside the last 100 metres but was a good length short at the finish. George Cross bear Miramar for the third place.

Debutante Top Contender (Top Class-Mizzna) from trainer Laxman Singh’s yard came from out of the blue to score in the lower division. Ruby’s Gift was on a start to finish bid and was looking good inside the final furlong. Top Contender was second last till entering the straight and weaving through horses came with a pair of wings to down Ruby’s Gift in the shadow of the winning post. The well backed favourite Magna Carta could only manage to finish third, ahead of Shakesphere.