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SURAJ NARREDU MAKES THE RULES AT RCTC

By Epsom Ace | 23 Jan 2019 | KOLKATA


Trainer M Narredu leading Whomakestherules (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Indian Champion Cup (Gr.1)

Saddle artist Suraj Narredu stole the thunder at RCTC on Wednesday with a spectacular and masterly display of pace-judgement while astride Malesh Narredu-trained Whomakestherules in the Indian Champion Cup run over 2000m. Lying dead last of six till the final turning for home, Suraj  accelerated and weaved his way through the small field thereafter to get the better of the piping hot on-money public choice Kangra in the very last stride.  The six-year-old son of Multidimensional out of Pricewise had won the Super Mile Cup in similar fashion last year while beating Castlebridge. In his post-race comments Malesh Narredu said his horse “loves the Calcutta track and so do I”.  Known to be an excellent miler, Whomakestherules finished fourth in this very race last year. It was Suraj’s daredevil approach that made all the difference this time. Much to the disappointment of her backers, the second favourite Sana finished rather inexplicably in in the ruck. Kangra loves to run freely up front but the early pace-setters Kambaku and Shivalik Showers did not permit her that luxury. This may have thrown her out of gear, costing her the race. 

One race earlier, Suraj had ridden another blinder astride Vijay Singh-trained Jaivant (Win Legend-Validate) to bag the Indian Champagne Stakes.  While stablemates Adhirit and Vallerysthal were fighting for honours, Suraj accelerated between the pair to land the spoils from a fast-finishing Eastern Crown.

The afternoon commenced with the favourite Yuvan succumbing to Jasbir Singh’s late finishing Poras (Rebuttal-Anacta) with Mohit Singh atop and this was an indication of the day ahead as punters burnt their fingers on more than one occasion.  The two divisions of The Fame Star Handicap saw fancied runners bite the dust. In the upper division, both Stelvio Pass and Demonstrate had no answer to the devastating run unleashed by Manvendra Singh-trained Midnight Magic with Hindu Singh in the saddle. The seven-year-old by Gaswar out of Minnie Mouse found a serious challenger in Baccardi whom she pegged back. The lower division saw recent winner Jezzabelle (Burden Of Proof-Showing Off) in the hands of her favourite jockey Md Islam. The latter has been involved in all three career wins of this Bharath Singh ward. Using his inside draw to good effect, Islam took the shortest route home.

The SS Bala Memorial Cup also witnessed a similar story as apprentice Bhati rode his mount Pelion (Tazahum-Alandra) to the colt’s third victory this season. Tracking Marbella till well into the straight, Pelion made a rails run to bag the honours quite easily. Trainer Arti Doctor bagged both divisions of the Republic Cup. With a stronger rider (Imran Chisty) in the saddle, five-year-old mare Mocha Loca was a different kettle of fish altogether while travelling over her pet trip of seven furlongs. Chisty sat tight with the mare and let the pace-setters do the donkey work before making his move in the straight  Under his powerful handling, the  6/1 shot quite easily got the better of second favourite He Calls The Shots. The favourite Vice Admiral was an unimpressive third. Bhati completed a double for the day when unfancied Poet (Arabian Gulf-Meydana) claimed the lower division by edging out the favourite Flag Flying. Oak Brook was a poor third.

Thee curtain came down to the day’s proceedings with apprentice Rupal Singh guiding home the Shafiq Khan-trained Mustang to an encore despite an outside draw of 14 and an extra furlong to travel – the reason being that he was the sole season winner and form horse in the large field of 14 runners. Those who were smart enough to spot that had a flutter on him. Others went home with holes in their pockets after a difficult day.