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POET DEFIES HANDICAPPER, BOUNCES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

By Mirror Image | 14 Jun 2017 | MYSORE


Trainer M Eshwer leading Poet (P P Dhebe Up), winner of The Amba Vilas Palace Trophy

Michael Eshwer trained Poet (Arabian Gulf-Meydana / Manjri Stud) was back to winning ways in an impressive fashion in the Amba Vilas Palace Trophy, the feature of Wednesday’s races at Mysore. The gelding had got a stiff penalty for its two successive wins and that looked to be a stopper for the gelding when he finished second in his last start. However Poet bounced back with an excellent gallop to score a comprehensive win over the seven furlongs trip thus defying the handicapper.

Poet was drawn widest among the dozen runners. The gelding jumped out smartly and got to the rails quickly within the first furlong. On entering the home stretch Poet continued to gallop freely in front with Magnolia and Storming Home in hard chase. Inside the last 200 metres jockey Prashanth Dhebe gave a tap and Poet stretched out effortlessly. Phelps rallied on to finish second while Magnolia and Kazuri filled the frame in that order.

C.Girinath trained Markus Sittikus (Imtiyaz-All The Rage / Broadacres Stud) that had lost out narrowly, finishing third in its last effort made amends to register an easy win in the Loyal Prince Plate. Wonder Story went on a start to finish bid and showed up first on the straight with Ascendency in close chase. Markus Sittikus raced in seventh till the half way stage and improving steadily was ready for the final assault approaching the last 300 metres. Ascendency surged ahead of the weakening Wonder Story but was no match when Markus Sittikus unleashed a gallop from the outside. The favourite Gusty Wind was under pressure when asked to go for it on the straight and ended up third in front of Galaxy Queen.

Trainer Girinath had earlier scored through Bandito (Phoenix Tower-Athymia / Manjri Stud) in the higher division of the Somwarpet Plate. Bandito, backed down strongly, jumped out well from the gates to get to the front but soon settled in third when Eloika passed from the outside to lead followed by Aliboxer. Passing the 300 metres Bandito changed gears between the two horses in front and quickly grabbed the lead. Aliboxer fought a futile battle to finish second by a length. Eloika rallied on in third followed by Ace Force. Atlantis and Beyond Thankful were non-starters in the race.

Praelector (Tariq-Oh So Romantic / Equus Stud) from the stables of M.Bobby wrapped up the lower division of the race. Praelector had finished in the ruck in the last three starts but the 6 years old gelding was in the limelight in the betting front, sent off as the second in demand after Ephialties. Praelector raced in third right from the start with Skyjet and Ephialties running in that order ahead. The three of them began to close up inside the last 100 metres and Praelector sped past to score by a length. Ephialties just beat Skyjet for the runner-up berth. Albatross filled the frame.      

Jockey Y.S.Srinath was successful on both his mounts, Steinlight and Benedetta. The youngster Steinlight (Steinbeck-Psychic Light / Usha Stud) opened its account on debut in an impressive fashion. Jockey Y.S.Srinath took the son of Steinbeck to the front as the gates opened. Steinlight started to pep up the pace before approaching the final bend and stretched out effortlessly to wrap it up by a distance. Lord Iisley towed in second followed by Akimbo and Big Time Bay.

Benedetta (Rebuttal-Empress Jessie / Hazara Stud) from trainer S.M.Johnson’s yard won the higher division of the Kaginele Plate. Benedetta took a smart jump and settled nicely in third when Zoe and Clouds rushed ahead in the early part of the race. On entering the straight Clouds was the first to take the initiative and move forward but Benedetta soon joined from the outside. Srinath gave a couple of hard cracks and the filly responded readily, to surge ahead and open up from the rest. Felix Legion improved to finish second in front of Heaven And Earth and Clouds.

There was a stunning upset in the lower division. Pratap Kamath trained Spinning Chakram (Lucifer Sam-Hyacinth / Sans Craintes Stud) went on a start to finish bid and upset the apple cart of the much fancied Precious Asset. Spinning Chakram shot to the lead as the field was dispatched and maintained a good advantage till into the straight. Inside the last 200 metres Precious Asset that was running after nearly a year but fancied strongly, began to charge towards the leader. Spinning Chakram continued to kick on under apprentice Md.Habeeb and thwarted the efforts of Precious Asset by a length. Al Dorado was a faraway third ahead of Robinhood Pandey. 

The persistence of apprentice Yogesh Vinod Salvi enabled him to earn his first win on C.D.Monnappa trained Mr.Carpe (Aussie Rules-Mystery Solved / Mebajeona Stud) in the Ranibennur Plate. Mr.Carpe was a bit lethargic as he jumped out from the outermost draw but recovered soon to pass the entire field from the outside and get to the front before turning for home. Inside the last furlong Mr.Carpe stayed stubbornly ahead even as Jersey Bride tried hard to head past. Bestow was lost for room from the inside and the fancied Reach The Stars was hard ridden from the outside. Mr.Carpe held on gamely by a neck from Reach The Stars while Bestow managed to edge out Jersey Bride for the third place. Miyarprincess was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the gates.