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CASTLEBRIDGE STOPS THE CLOCK UNDER 2 MINUTES IN MYSORE DERBY

By Mirror Image | 22 Oct 2017 | MYSORE


Mr Jairam G Kimmane, Mr Somanna & trainer Bharath Singh leading Castlebridge (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Mysore Derby Gr.1

History was created in the Mysore Derby 2017 (Gr.I) on Sunday when the Kunigal  Stud bred Castlebridge (Burden of Proof-Castle Queen) not only broke the existing course record, stopping the clock under 2 minutes but also emerged as the fastest in the country over the 2000 metres distance. Castlebridge timed 1:59.621 secs bettering the existing course record of 2:1.54 secs that stood in the name of Field Marshall for the last six years. The bay colt trained by Bharath Singh is jointly owned by M/s. United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited and Mr. Jairam G Kimmanne.

On its form of having lost only once -finished second to Manifold in the Bangalore Derby- in the previous six starts, Castlebridge was sent off as the hot favourite at ‘half money’ among the 6 runners for the Derby. Castlebridge shot to the lead as the gates opened and was well ahead. The bay colt was followed by Romantic Star, Apache Sunrise, Spotlight, Kambaku and Turf Star as they headed past the halfway stage. Once the heads turned for home Castlebridge was still in the lead and pulled away from the rest of them. Apache Sunrise beat Kambaku for the second place while the only filly in the race Romantic Star completed the frame.

A visibly exuberant Suraj Narredu for having been a part of history that was created by Castlebridge thanked the connections for having given him the ride and also made a special mention of jockey Ryan Marshall‘s contribution in preparing the colt in the morning trials. “I had to hold him back entering the back stretch to keep the reserves” said Suraj speaking about the race and added “I was never in doubt about the win in the home stretch; the record time is an added feather in the cap”.

The record crowd on the big day was treated to quite a few close finishes. M. Bobby trained Korol (Whipper-Khaliyna /  Hazara Stud) that had shifted base from Mumbai at the beginning of the season reserved its best for the Derby day in the Hyderabad Race Club Trophy. Travelling handily in about fourth till turning for home, the gelding was brought around quickly by Hyderabad based rider Sai Kiran and slipped in to the lead. Fair Game was up with a strong challenge from the outside and the two entertained the grand stand with a keen tussle which ultimately was won by Korol. El Finix moved fast from the rear to finish a close third ahead of Poet.

Bipin V Salvi trained Beyond Thankful (Gaswar-Ladyfeelgood / Chhatari Stud) whose last win was during the Derby weekend in the year 2014 and had not made it to the frame in 10 runs since then sported a pair of wings to snatch the win from Enthralling in the Royal Western India Turf Club Limited Trophy. Beyond Thankful was the slowest at start losing a little over a length to begin with. Brushed up soon the 7 year old was in mid group as they approached the final turn. Enthralling came out of the pack on top of the straight and was ridden out to stay ahead of the rest. Beyond Thankful was sighted about 100 metres from the finish, beginning to raise a gallop the widest of all. With a flying finish Beyond Thankful joined Enthralling at the winning post and the magic eye gave the verdict its favour. Excelonce and Majestic Queen filled the frame in that order.

In another close finish Azhar Ali trained Opening Act (Whatsthescript-Mutually Mine / Nanoli Stud) with renewed effort won the Madras Race Club Trophy from Yellowzone. Opening Act moved swiftly from an outward draw to get to the lead. Psiing the last 300 metres Yellowzone came with telling strides from the rear and headed past. The 7 year old mare then started to run a bit green under pressure and that gave Opening Act to regain the lost lead with a rerun from the inside and sniff out Yellowzone by a ‘head’.  Goodwill Warrior finished third ahead of Amazing Desire.

The money started to flow one way in the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy and trainer Pradeep Annaiah’s Nagarjuna (Lucifer Sam-Dama Star / Sans Craintes Stud) landed up as the firm favourite. The gelding raced a handy third behind Game Guy and Princeazeem till the top of the straight and slipped in through the shortest way. Princeazeem offered a challenge for a while but found it hard to match strides. Prize Finder had to be pulled out by Suraj when the gap along the inside closed up and the gelding came up from the outside but Nagarjuna had passed the winning post safely by a length. Princeazeem stayed on in third followed by Game Guy.

C.D.Monnappa trained Flash Time (Mathematecian-My Time / Sans Craintes Stud) that was improving in places over the last two starts won the division I of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy. Flash Time raced in about sixth position till into the straight and with a sustained effort fought with Sans Frontieres and surged ahead. As the winning post neared Trust Me Boy that was found in the last position even in the last 200 metres came flying from the rear but failed to get to Flash Time by a neck. Sans Frontieres ended up a close third in the same picture frame.

In the lower division of the race S.M. Johnson trained Matteo (Tariq-Stunning Wonder / Equus Stud) justified the favouritism with an impressive victory. The 5 year old gelding moved around the horses in front and stormed to the lead on top of the straight. Amazing moved to get to the second position but the winner kicked on gamely. Clouds and Felix Legion finished third and fourth respectively.

In the closest finish of the day V.Loknath trained Lunar Strom (Declaration of War-Fame Star / Lingwood Stud) just managed to ‘nose’ out Rare And Famous in the last stride in the division I of the Delhi Race Club Trophy. The speedy Oceana had got to the front at start and led till into the last 100 metres. Rare And Famous sped past with the winning post in sight but lost out to Lunar Storm who came flying from behind. Oceana finished a close third followed by Princess Pride.

Trainer Loknath had earlier in the opening race of the day, the lower division, sent out the favourite Oasis Breeze (Phoenix Tower-Star Qualities / Manjri Stud) to a maiden win. The filly had to be ridden out by Suraj Narredu to get her to raise a gallop on the straight but once she did, the filly spurted away past the leader Star Binder in an impressive fashion. Coffee Time got to the third place in front of Roaring Thunder.

For the professionals trainer V.Loknath scored a double while jockey Suraj Narredu and apprentice Rayan Ahmed scored a double each.