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PRASANNA KUMAR IS NOW A FORCE TO RECKON WITH

By Ikram Khan | 16 Jan 2016 | BANGALORE


Mr Sarosh Mody & trainer Prasanna Kumar leading Nesto (A Imran Khan Up), winner of The R.W.I.T.C Trophy

The young and talented Prasanna Kumar is now fast becoming a force to reckon with at this centre. The youngster after winning the Oaks this season through New Alliance warmed up nicely for the Garuda Derby scheduled to be held on Saturday, Jan 23 registering a grand treble with three different jockeys.

Prasanna opened his account through the last start winner Afore piloted by leading pro S John who is poised to emerge the champion `Knight’ this winter. On the strength of his facile last start success, Afore was strongly tipped to provide an encore and the public choice justified the confidence of his supporters romping home in the Altenburg Plate run over a mile.

Another smashing last attempt winner Alexandrite competing in the Haveri Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs scored in a thriller to the delight of the Prasanna camp. After lesser fancied seven to one shot One Big Gang from Dominic’s yard had stolen a march past the distance post, Imran Chisty in a never-say-die bid packed punch on the Prasanna ward and the six to one shot produced a winning gallop to snatch the verdict at the shadow of the winning post. One Big Gang in defeat was not disgraced and lives to fight another day. The two top fancies I’ve Got Clout and El Fenix appeared to have lost their galloping shoes and finished in the ruck.

In the RWITC Trophy for horses in the highest class, the Senorita Evita from trainer Sulaiman’s yard and the top weighted Smile Stone who had failed to make an impression in his last effort over seven furlongs garnered the maximum support.  Nesto and Topspot were in the mix, fancied quietly though not strongly by the right connections and it was Nesto piloted by debonair Imran Khan who raced to victory. Mickey Mouse who recorded a shock victory in his last essay again did well to finish second ahead of Vivid Impression. Senorita Evita who looked fit and well but was sweating a lot in the parade ring performed below par while Smile Stone appears to have lost his willingness to score and it will pay to ignore him until he regains his winning touch.

Imran Khan who booted home Nesto, earlier had it easy guiding home Top Striker in the KROA Million. The youngster who had two suggestive runs under his belt produced his best to floor his five rivals, winning with a great deal of comfort. Anantara looks a good type, finishing a game second after failing to keep pace early on in the sprint event. Starline from Ganapathy’s yard too, it is needless to mention will benefit from this exercise and will be a different proposition next time out.

John who shared the professional honours with Prasanna, recording a treble, after his success on Afore struck through the public choice Shinnecock Hills in the lower division of the Shivanasamudra Plate.  The Arjun Manglorkar ward who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring, hit the front soon after the dozen runners came under the starter’s flag and never let the initiative slip. Vigorous finished second ahead of the fast finishing Good Fruit who caught the eye and is one for the notebook.

In line for a treble, John astride the public rage Integrated from Rashid Byramji’s yard didn’t really need to raise sweat guiding home the Rashid Byramji ward in the upper division of the Flashing Star Plate. Integrated is in rousing form and is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next.

The Nikhil Punna schooled Trapezoid dropped the biggest bombshell in the concluding event, the upper divison of the Sivanasamudra Plate edging out another outsider Dream Star and the favourite Sheer Elation in a close finish. The public choice, it appeared needs a little more ground to display her true potential and she will recover all the lost money if campaigned over a seven furlongs trip.

Earlier, the well-backed Golden Diamond won the opening event, the lower division of the Ullal Beach Plate in the hands of Shrikant Kamble. The favourite took time to raise a winning gallop and the moment he got it right approaching the distance post it was all over bar the shouting. Emancipation was seen finishing on purposefully at end to take the runner-up berth ahead of Miss Ceylon while Tea Wid Me appeared to have taken coffee break.

The ten to one shot Kimora won the lower division of the Flashing Star Plate, edging out Western Union and Allez Royale in a close finish. The favourite Woodbridge looked a trifle gross at the paddock parade and it was not surprising that he failed to make the frame.

The Mahesh-trained Aguante was backed to the exclusion of her 11 rivals in the upper division of the Ullal Beach Plate run over a sprint and the on-money favourite in the hands of Chouhan made every post a winning one with a lot left in the saddle. Aguante is in peak form and is set to provide an encore when saddled next.