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MOONDANCER COMPLETES A HAT-TRICK IN A SMART TIMING

By Madhukar Bhagawan | 19 Feb 2018 | HYDERABAD


Trainer M. Sathyanarayana leading Moondancer (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Delhi Race Club Plate Div-1

Trainer M. Sathyanarayana sent out another Champ from the stable, Moondancer (Excellent Art-Pleasure Hunt / Poonawalla Stud) to complete a hat-trick in the division I of the Delhi Race Club Cup. The 4 year old cut a smart timing over the sprint distance and this being a ‘no whip’ race, the feat deserves a special mention.

Moondancer was sent off as on-money favourite among the ten runners for the 1200 metres sprint and Suraj Narredu was quick to get to the front with his mount within the first furlong.  Leading all the way Moondancer stretched out effortlessly in the straight to win by a convincing margin. Dance Oh Dance chased Moondancer throughout the trip to be the runner-up, followed by Big Heart and Baashagar.

The lower division was much more open in terms of the betting pattern and the speedy Asteria (Green Coast-Alero) from trainer L.D’Silva’s yard made it a start to finish affair with visiting jockey Arshad Alam on the saddle. Asteria Shot to the front as the gates opened and was joined by Seven Colours. The two broke away from the field and enjoyed a lead of over four lengths. On entering the straight Seven Colours came under pressure when pressed for further acceleration and soon gave up. Asteria stretched clear and returned to winning ways. Handy Man, Negress Pearl and Kalinda filled the frame in that order.

Suraj Narredu had an arm chair ride on K.S.V. Prasad Raju trained Dream Girl (Roi Maudit-Casual Look) in the Starsky Plate. Dream Girl raced a handy third behind Composure and Platinum till turning for home and went past smoothly from the top of the straight. Dream Girl drew away from the field and won by almost a street. Ruby’s Gift, Magical Skill and Royal Dynamite finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Trainer L.V.R. Deshmukh had a profitable day with a treble. Rikki Tikki Tavi, Highly Acclaimed and Arc Of History were the victors from the stable. Debutante Rikki Tikki Tavi (Excellent Art-Stravella / Poonawalla Stud) almost came up from the ashes to win the division I of the Perceived Value Plate. Long Range was on a start to finish bid and was looking good with Rikki Tikki Tavi lost in the crowd. David Allan kept urging the youngster and with less than a furlong left from the wire, Rikki Tikki Tavi picked up momentum and with David making his way through the crowded field struck a terrific turn of foot to down the field with a measure of comfort in the end. Lone Range stayed on in second followed by Secretary and Handsome Duo.

Highly Acclaimed (Phoenix Tower-Play That Tune) made a good come back in the J.S. Dhariwal Memorial Plate. Jockey Nakhat Singh fought for the lead in the initial stages and took Highly Acclaimed to the lead. With a good lead throughout the trip Highly Acclaimed stretched out uncontested in the straight. Phenomenal Cruise rallied on in second followed by Scooby Dooby Doo and Creator.

Arc Of History (Excellent Art-Raptures) won the Taramati Plate by a widening margin. Chasing Royal Gift till into the home stretch, Arc Of History surged ahead to grab the lead and strode out clear by over four lengths. Royal Gift stayed on in second followed by Shakesphere and Born To Do It.

Jockey Nakhat Singh had earlier in the day piloted R.H.Sequeira schooled Exclusivenorthwind (Net Whizz-Amended) to a maiden win in the lower division of the Perceived Value Plate.  As the fourteen maiden youngsters came into the final straight Jazz It Up and Amazing Script were involved in a strong duel. Exclusivenorthwind started to gain momentum from behind but was running a bit erratic. Nakhat Singh got the colt to an even keel and came flying down to nail the fighting duo close to the winning post. Jazz It Up and Amazing Script finished second and third respectively.

The 5 year old gelding Cashel (Fantastic Dubai-Seillans) had remained winless from twenty five starts and had shown some spark in the last two runs, finishing second including the one a day earlier. Sequeira’s ward Cashel was taken to the front from the inner most draw by Gopal Singh and  the gelding finally came good over the 1100 metres scurry. Good Taste ran in second ahead of Sprint Legend.