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SANDESH HAT-TRICK PROVIDES PUNTERS REASON TO SMILE

By Ikram Khan | 27 May 2019 | BANGALORE


Trainer S Narredu leading Tutankhamun (P Trevor Up), winner of The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup (Gr.3)

Leading `Knight’ Sandesh provided the railbirds a big reason to smile after the followers of form were floored in the first four events on Sunday. The two on-money favourites Mohican from Neil Darashah’s yard and Air Command from the stables of Arjun Manglorkar flopped badly and the well supported Track Striker and Mauritania too failed to justify favouritism.

Sandesh first struck it rich on the Prithviraj-trained Miniver Rose in the S G Madhukar Memorial Trophy run over a sprint. The winner was strongly fancied and the speedy customer sprinted home in emphatic fashion. Louisiana from trainer Faraz Arshad’s yard failed to gain a favourable position early on in the race and as a result had to stay content with the runner-up berth, apprentice jockey Peter pushing him to produce his best after Miniver Rose had closed out the contest in the final furlong.

Next, astride the on-money favourite Camila who was touted a `moral certainty’ in the Holding Court Plate, Sandesh really didn’t need to extend himself driving home the Neil ward to a resounding victory. The winner is in fine nick and it will pay to follow Camila again when next saddled. Duxton did well to gain the runner-up berth edging out Scarlet Princess, who in her attempt to make every post a wining one lacked the gas in the final furlong.

In the concluding event, the Ministerial Plate run over a sprint, the well prepared Well Connected from Padmanabhan’s yard started the favourite before money came pouring in on the Arjun Manglorkar schooled debutant Star And Garter piloted by Suraj Narredu. The Arjun ward was backed down from (3/1) to (18/10), joint favourite at the end. But it was the Padmanabhan ward Well Connected who reigned supreme donkey-licking her 11 rivals. Star And Garter finished second ahead of Palm Reader. The second and third placed horses, it is needless to mention will benefit most from this exercise and are certain to earn their winning brackets in the weeks ahead.

Earlier the five to one shot Tutankhamun won the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Cup in resplendent style from the topweighted Corfe Castle. The winner was confidently piloted by top gun Trevor Patel. The Satish Narredu ward after assuming command past the distance post maintained the advantage right till the very end, comfortably pegging back the gallant effort of the Hyderabad hopeful. Accolade satisfied his connections coming home third while the advantageously placed Rikki Tikki Tavi and the public choice Mauritania disappointed their supporters.

The Prasanna Kumar schooled Spiritous proved too good in the Chettinad Stud Plate run over a sprint. The moment Antony Raj pushed her to the front Spiritous gained control and never let the initiative slip cantering home without really extending herself. The public rage Air Command who tracked Spiritous for most part of the sprint trip failed to quicken at the top of the straight and eventually managed to take a lot of good money down the drain. War Hero finished on purposefully at end to take the second spot ahead of Wings Of Desire while Wild Wild Angels made the frame.

Like Camile, Mohican too was considered a safe bet, but this Neil ward after dictating pace for most part of the mile long trip was floored by the Samar Singh-trained Prince Charmo who produced a sparkling gallop in the hands of apprentice jockey Naveen to upset the applecart of the most trusted favourite. Proudprince finished third ahead of Ekalavya.

Track Strker from Mohd Khan’s yard garnered the maximum support in the opening event, the New Market Plate . But all that he could do was finish a tame third behind the ten to one long shot winner Amazing Angel and Find. The winner from Azhar Ali’s yard, it appears has turned a new leaf and it will not surprise many if the mare provides an encore.