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FJORD NOSES OUT KOROL IN A THRILLER

By Mirror Image | 23 Nov 2017 | MYSORE


Mr Sarosh Modi & Trainer M Eshwer leading Fjord (P P Dhebe Up), winner of The S.M.Attaollahi Memorial Trophy

Michael Eshwer trained Fjord (Phoenix Tower-Alcmene / Manjri Stud) scraped through by a wafer thin margin from Karol in the S.M. Attaollahi Memorial Trophy, the main event of the opening day’s races of the winter season at Mysore. The filly that had run disappointingly in its previous run, finishing last as a firm favourite, bounced back in resplendent fashion over the sprint trip. Fjord was taken to the front right from the start by Prashant P Dhebe and came into the straight with a handy lead. Inside the last furlong the top weighted Korol started to gallop with a flourish and came tearing down but the winning post came to the rescue of Fjord who touched the post a ‘nose’ in front. The fancied Attorney General finished a tame third ahead of Flamboyance.

Eshwer and Dhebe packed a double with short priced Tigris (Phoenix Tower-Sunderland Echo / Manjri Stud) in the very next race, the Sharavathi Plate. Stable mate Be Ready went to the lead in the early part and opened a big leeway followed by Castlebar, Tigris and the rest. Inside the last 300 metres Castlebar took charge from the weakening Be Ready and Tigris looked to be in some sort of bother. Jockey Dhebe kept riding out Tigris and once she picked up momentum, the winner was spotted a furlong away. Markus Sittikus and Nikka finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Feroz M Khan started off the season with a treble. Queen, Zidaan and Precious Script were the victors from the stable. The first two named were ridden by Irvan Singh and the last named by Trevor Patel. Zidaan (Mull Of Kintyre-Adam’s Delight / Capricon Stud) turned out to be the biggest upset of the day in the Dharwad Plate. The 8 year old that had seen the winning post almost 23 months ago was smartly out of the gates and settled in second behind Sky Jet. As they showed up on the straight Enthralling moved up from the outside and slipped into the lead. Zidaan came through the shortest way and started to challenge Enthralling from its outside. Zidaan was tending to lug in but Irvan Singh did well to keep the gelding in the fight and surged ahead in the closing stages of the race. Excelonce and Malkia filled the frame in that order.

Queen (Mambo Minstrel-Queen’s Special / Samra Stud) scored an impressive win in the division I of the Gadag Plate. Racing a handy fifth till entering the straight Queen moved with a flourish to take charge passing the 300 metres board and drew clear. Sufficient Proof after having to pass through some traffic snarls came in late to take the second spot. Premier Ace and Amazing were close behind in third and fourth respectively.

Precious Script (Chevalier-Delta’s Glory / Ruia Stud) scored convincingly in the Lt.Col. C. Rudrappa Memorial Plate. Clovis went on a start to finish bid and came in with a lead of almost four lengths into the straight. Precious Script was given a few cracks by Trevor Patel and the 5 years old mare picked up speed and surged clear inside the last 100 metres. Clovis held on in second from Poets Song and Bold Nature finishing on from behind. Good Earth was a non-starter in the race.

Trainer P.C.Tejaswi had a one-two in the lower division of the Gadag Plate. Gracious (Chevalier-Lii Najma / Ruia Stud) won the race from Intrepid Warrior. The two braced the rear till the top of the straight among the nine runners. The favourite Travelyan had got to the front and was looking good passing the distance post when Gracious and Intrepid Warrior came charging down from the rear and sped past. Joey and Al Dorado finished third and fourth respectively. Conundrum and Sans Frontieres were withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

G.T. Surender trained Senator (Arabian Gulf-Sierra Vista / Manjri Stud) that had come into the reckoning in the last three runs came good in the division I of the B.R.Hills Plate. The 5 years old showed early speed to charge to the front from the outermost draw. The gelding maintained the lead in the straight and kicked on to pull it off from the late finishing Croziet. Sheer Luck and Able Master filled the frame in that order.

M.Rajender Singh trained Emancipation (Mr Mellon-Crème Brulee / Ruia Stud) won the lower division. As the field approached the last 200 metres Master Of War and Zip Code were in a duel with the former looking better. Emancipation was hard ridden by Arshad Alam and the 7 years old gained ground from behind and sped past in front of the grand stand. Master Of War, Zip Code and Incitatus filled the frame in that order. Catch Her Young and Future Bright were withdrawn on veterinary grounds.