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HANDY MAN PROVES TO BE A DEPENDABLE MILER

By Madhukar Bhagawan | 24 Sep 2017 | HYDERABAD


Trainer K Satheesh leading Handy Man (Nakhat Singh Up), winner of The Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup

K. Satheesh trained Handy Man (Dancing Forever- Tourmalet) scored an encore in the Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup that featured Sunday’s small card of six races at Hyderabad. The chestnut colt was held back in sixth position for the first five furlongs of the mile trip while Tiger and Leading Legend came into the straight first. Approaching the last 200 metres Leading Legend was hard at work to stay in front with Top Contender and Handy Man getting closer. Handy Man with a sustained gallop sped past to score from Top Contender and Leading Legend. Carolina Moon finished fourth. Prospero jumped out without the rider and following a steward’s enquiry the filly was declared as a non-starter. Awesome Approach was withdrawn before the race.

Pentagon (Varenar-Hi Fi) was once again taken on a start to finish bid over the extended trip of 1400 metres and M. Sathyanarayana’s trainee won pulling away from the rest. Pentagon shot to the front as the gates opened and had a steady lead entering the home stretch. The favoueite Sweet March tried to offer a challenge but Pentagon picked up speed when jockey G. Naresh gave it a few cracks and left the rest cold behind. Ashwa Ashoka edged out Sweet March for the second place. Mahathi ended up fourth.

The short priced favourite La Romance (Roi Maudit-Romance In Rain / Bishan Stud) scored an impressive successive victory in the Raja Saheb Of Challapalli Memorial Cup. Leading well from the word ‘go’, La Romance extended the lead on the straight without being pressed for an effort by apprentice B.R. Kumar. Khan Sahib was in futile chase throughout the straight. Top Starchy and Cash Landing finished third and fourth respectively.

Apprentice G. Naresh earned his double while piloting K.V. Srinivas trained Rose Petal (Fantastic Dubai-Social Place) to a maiden win in the Nawab Sultan Ali Khan Memorial Cup. The filly was winless from 10 starts and was sent off as the second in demand at 5/2. Racing a handy third behind Rohini and Royal Gift, Rose Petal made a bid between them inside the last 300 metres and shot clear. Rohini stayed on in second followed by Yes Baby and Own Battle. Tough Sussex was a non-starter in the race.

Jockey Akshay Kumar rode winners in both the divisions of the P.V.G. Raju Memorial Cup. In the division I Akshay rode K. Satheesh trained Charming Beauty (Bushranger-Dealt) to victory despite losing the whip on top of the straight. Wonder Star set off on a start to finish bid and was stubbornly ahead passing the 200 metres board. Dolce and Western Express tried to challenge and Charming Beauty began to cover ground from the extreme outside. With Akshay Kumar pushing vigorously the filly surged ahead inside the last 100 metres and spared a length to Wonder Star at the finish. Vijay Vidyut ‘nosed’ out Dolce for the third place.

Arjun Anne trained Nelly (Opportunist-Galloping Fantasy scored an encore at longer odds in the lower division. The mare rushed to the front from an outward draw and after leading for a little over a furlong settled well in third behind Market Leader and Hunter’s Pride. Approaching the last 300 metres Nelly began to get up between the duo in front and drew clear. Ice Crystal warmed up late to beat Hunter’s Pride for the second place. Rebellion finished fourth.