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DIGGER SPRINGS A SURPRISE, WINS MEMBERS CUP

By Mahendra Mallya | 28 Jan 2019 | HYDERABAD


Trainer Mir Faiyaz Ali Khan leading Digger (Rafique Sk up), winner of The Members Cup

After a severe drubbing on Derby day, punters and followers of favourites had a reasonably good day with four prime fancies obliging in the six event card. The both the main ‘Cup’ races saw long-shots create a flutter winning at odds in double digits.

Digger (Mathematician – Akaliki), trained by Faiyaz Khan, won the Members Cup kicking on gamely after leading them into the homestretch. Digger went at a fiery pace right from the start and he entered the homestretch with a sizable lead. Furthermore, Digger, with jockey Rafique in the saddle, carried on at the same pace making it difficult for the rest to chase him down. New State, who was initially in the mid-pack, tried his best, but had too much distance to cover and all he could do was only cut down the distance to finish under two lengths from Digger. Shandaar finished on and improved considerably to finish close behind New State. Favourite Thundering ran poorly and never raised a quality gallop finishing in the rut.

L D’ Silva trained Blazer (Lucifer Sam – One Track Minded) was another ten-to-one shot to make the grade in the other ‘Cup’ race – The Tintinnabulation Cup for three-year-old maidens.  Blazer stepped up pace after the first furlong to get past favourite Yours Forever and once he took charge, he stayed ahead all the way to the wire.

Blazer entered the straight with a handy lead and built on it nicely. Yours Forever somehow failed to come to grips and ran well below par. With the rest nowhere close, Blazer was scooting away for an easy victory without encountering any challenge.  Miss Marvellous can take a lot of pluses from this race as she progressed commendably to finish on with a rush ending less than two lengths from Blazer. Royal Ruby too improved positions and did well to rake in place stakes.

Jockey Akshay Kumar scored a popular double, his first win coming astride Roll Call (Whatsthescript – Knockenduff) trained by RH Sequeira. Although Roll Call was the first favourite, Pontius Pilate too had strong support. Pontius Pilate took off at the start and soon established a good lead coming into the straight. Roll Call on the other hand, was quiet some distance from the leader. Pontius Pilate thundered into the straight and Shooter who was close behind made Pontius Pilate lok even better as Shooter ran out of steam. Safra too didn’t look convincing in third either, while Roll Call seemed to have given her main rival too much leeway. It looked like Pontius Pilate had it covered as he entered inside the final furlong well ahead and with a good lead as a cushion. However, Roll Call started to fire up and arrived with scorching run to catch up quickly and then storm ahead in a trice to in a dramatic display of finishing speed. Roll Call won by more than a length and Pilatus Pilate was clearly overwhelmed.

Akshay Kumar then piloted favourite Dormello (Stern Opinion – Demanding) saddled by LVR Deshmukh in the last race of the day. Dumbledore led them into the straight with Dormello improving from the fourth spot to make his bid from the outside. Eau Claire slipped through gaps along the inside.

Approaching the distance post, if became clear that Dormello had only to be weary of Eau Claire. This pair fought briefly before Dormello charged ahead and finished with a flourish to leave Eau Claire far behind. Dormello won comfortably by two lengths from Eau Claire. Hammer edged out Aalishaan for place money.
Love Machine (Knight’s Tour – Run for Roses) the hot favourite from the D Netto stables was given a run for the money by Crimson Fire and Darshish. Love Machine went for it from the word go and Darshish followed a length behind.

Once they turned for home, Darshish got closer to the leader and challenged Love Machine with a strong gallop. These two were fighting neck and neck when Crimson Fire warmed up, switched to the outside and came at the fight duo breathing fire. The three runners were abreast with les than 100 to go sending the crowds into a tizzy. Love Machine was confidently ridden out by jockey Kiran Naidu who looked very assured as they raced past the wire almost together. Love Machine held on by a short-head and Darshish finished a neck behind in the three-way finish.  

Blazing Speed (Green Coast – Days of Thunder) started the start-to-finish trend for the day making every post a winning one in the first race of the day. Jockey Suraj Narredu had it easy all the way as he didn’t have to spend much at any stage. Parizaat and Golden Adara, the closest behind him were no threat and made things easier for the half-money favourite. Blazing Speed rolled on to win convincingly. Parizaat fought off Golden Adara for the runner-up berth.
For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar scored a double.