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ST.PAULI GIRL WINS CHATRAPATHI TROPHY

By Ikram Khan | 14 Feb 2019 | BANGALORE


Mr K Harish Nayak & Mr Adhitya Nayak leading St Pauli Girl (Akshay Kumar Up), winner of The Chatrapathi Trophy

A couple of horses performed below par and a couple, who had failed to display their true potential in their last efforts produced their best to romp home easy winners and this resulted in the followers of form questioning and asking for explanations. The stiping at this centre, it is needless to mention is not at the desired level and this has provided the confidence to the offenders to play the many in and out games knowing that they will get away scot free.
 
After twice finishing good second in her last two starts, the Prasanna Kumar schooled Invicta looked head and shoulders above her seven rivals in the Man `O' War Plate run over a sprint for juveniles. The public choice was rightly offered at a miserly price (60/100) in the bookmakers ring and most big bettors, who considered the Prasanna ward a moral certainty placed big bets with the view that it was money for jam. But it proved to be big money down the drain, Invicta partnered by the leading pro Akshay Kumar, fresh from booting home five winners at his parent-centre (Hyderabad) finished a poor third behind the 20 to one shot Tonys Pet from Prithviraj's yard and Mega Ikon.
   
In the plum event, the Chatrapathi Trophy, St.Pauli Girl from Prasanna Kumar's yard, who had finished more than seven lengths behind Sagrada over a mile and in her last essay was two lengths behind Super Smart over an identical distance thrashed the two going over the same trip. Super Smart who had beaten the `Girl' by two lengths in their last head-to-head clash finished third almost five lengths behind, while Sagrada, who it must be mentioned had gone up in weights was not sighted. Magistero, who had raced down the field in his last two starts was one other who appeared to have devoloped wings gaining the runner-up berth ahead of Super Smart. 

The principla added attraction, the K Venkatesh Nayak Memorial Trophy was claimed by the second in demand at the betting ring Aeolus frm trainer Darius Byramji's yard. Leading pro Pradeep Chouhan confidently piloted the winner assuming command at the distance post and then packing punch in the final furlong to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The favourite Shesmyscript  finished second ahead of Foi Et Amour. In this event, Game Changer from Neil Darashah's yard, who in his two earlier starts had finished second and had the credentials to dominate the finish was shockingly never in the hunt and eventually finished in the ruck. 

Salvador Dali from Padmanabhan's yard finally entered the winners' circle, proving too good in the Melkote Plate run over a distance of 2000 metres. The winner streaked ahead the moment David Allan reminded him of the task ahead at the top of the straight and without unduly extending himself pegged back the belated effort of Superb Success. Masada who did all the early running finished third while Setaglow made the frame. 

Last time out the Nithyanand-trained Star Man lost out, bursting his blood vessels and bleeding from both his nostrils. This time he didn't encounter that problem and Imran Chisty had no problems driving him home in the Saptharishi Plate run over a sprint. The fact that Star Man was the overwhelming favourite despite the blood vessel issue was surprising to say the least and the punters here must be lauded for being both brave and bold and taking the green sacks home. Soviet Union surprised most finishing second ahead of Simply Magical, while the debutant Chula Vista caught the eye  coming home an easy fourth. Soviet Union for the record had failed to make the frame in his last last seven starts including his two efforts against mediocre opposition at Mysore. 

Trainer Neil Devaney brought off a fine coup on Baymax in the Dandeli Plate run over 1100M. The topweighted contestant was sweetly fancied by the insiders and the right connections. The winner opened (7/1) in the ring before he was slammed down to (7/2) and with the apprentice Akram in the saddle made every post a winning one. Baymax is in good heart and is ready to provide an encore. It was a good gamble and all credit to Neil who patiently preparaed his ward before pulling off a well deserved and well backed winner. She's Supern who tracked Baymax all the way through held on to gain the runner-up berth from Songkran while the favourite Arrogance failed to make the board. 

Classic Speed from Dheeraj's yard who had impressed most in his last essay won the concluding event, the Charmudi Plate run over a mile. The winner piloted by Sandesh after establishing a winning lead at the distance post needed to stretch every sinew to peg back the late effort of Kings Kid.