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THE INVADER WINS 2000 GUINEAS IN FINE STYLE

By Ikram Khan | 15 Dec 2018 | BANGALORE


Trainer G Nityanand leading The Invader (P Trevor Up), winner of the Manjri Stud Bangalore 2000 Guineas (Gr.2)

The second classic of the season, the Manjri Stud Bangalore 2000 Guineas produced a shock result, the 20 to one long shot The Invader from trainer G Nityanand's yard splendidly piloted by leading pro Trevor Patel outclassing his eight rivals including the two Mumbai hopefuls Sea Quest and Valegro in resplendent style on Saturday. 

Apart from a couple of fluke seekers and few die-hard Trevor Patel fans, none fancied the winner but a delighted Nithyanand disclosed that he was aware of the ability of The Invader and that he was confident that his ward will run a mighty race in the big one. 

"I always knew that he would test the best and I must thank Zervan who after partnering him in his victory in the summer season told me that The Invader has the ability to win a classic and that I must take special care of him and not miss out on the opportunity to pick up a classic at any centre. Well he trained on nicely and I told Trevor before the race that the horse will not disappoint you and you have a good chance in the classic," said Nityanand. Well The Invader didn't disappoint Trevor and in fact Trevor was most pleased with the performance of the winner who emerged the best of his age and sex in style. 

The Mumbai mainhope Sea Quest who in his only earlier start over a sprint had set a new record clocking a stunning 1:10.71 seconds in the summer season started the favourite while the two local hopoefuls Knotty Ash piloted by Imran Chisty and Mr Handsome had their fair share of supporters. 

Yash Narredu pushed Sea Quest ahead the moment the nine runners came under the starter's flag for the mile long classic journey and dictated the pace all through the backstretcch. Knotty Ash and Psychic Force followed the leader before the three leaders packed up at the top of the straight. At this juncture Irish professional Leigh Roche sent the Shroff schooled Valegro ahead and Trevor got busy on The Invader while Suraj astride Mr Handsome started to gain paces. Past the distance post Trevor put The Invader in top gear and the Total Gallery out of Dajolie classic winner stormed through to put the issue beyond doubt. Mr Handsome did well to gain the runner-up spot ahead of Valegro while New Moon came home fourth. 

The principal added attraction, the S V Subramaniam Memorial Trophy also produced a shock result, the 15 to one shot Don't Dilly Dally from Neil Darashah's yard edging out the strongly supported public choice Nitromax in a thriller. The winner piloted by Nazer-Ul-Alam hit the front in this mile long event and bravely held on to gain the day by the shortest of margins. Nitromax who lost a couple of lengths at the start was guided in copybook fashion by Arshad Alam who packed punch in chase of Don't Dilly Dally in the straight but Alam kept his mount going and clinched the verdict much to the chagrin of the followers of form. Lycurgus caught the eye while finishing a noteworthy third while Casey failed to make the frame. 

The opening event, the Novice Plate saw Sandesh punch home the public cholice Malwa to a resounding victory. Silent Guardian finished second ahead of Jersey Legend while Roma Victor from Prasanna Kumar's yard who was also fancied strongly by the Prasanna camp came home fourth. The Ganapathy-trained Southern Ruler piloted by Imran Khan looked good till he shifted out approaching the final curve. The trainer revealed that the reins got cut and the jockey had no option but to finish on the sand track. 

The Pradeep Annaiah schooled Aine who had failed to display her true potential in her last start came good in the Beloved Prince Plate chalking out a convincing victory in the hands of Imran Khan. The winner tracked the leader Morrane Gabriella for most part of the 1100M trip before Imran got cracking on the Pradeep ward to snuff out the challenge of the stablemate. Fantastic App finished third ahead of the favourite Hafnium from the stables of Gregory Sandhu. 

On the strength of his fine showing in his last essay, going down to Queen Latifa by the shortest of margins, the Faraz Arshad-traained Louisiana garnered the maximum support in the Kunigal Stud P:late and the favourite justified the confidence of his supporters cruising home without really being extended. Haedi's Folly finished second ahead of Aeisir who is set to earn his cornbill when saddled next. 

The Darius Byramji-trained Multifaceted was touted a `moral certainty' in the concluding event, the Amathos Plate and the bred in the purple youngster proved too good for his 13 rivals romping home in emphatic fashion. Now that Multifaceted has made a belated winning debut, he will soon climb up the ladder taking into account that he has the class and the required potential to make his presence felt in higher company.