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FREEDOM FIRE WINS AGAIN WITH EASE

By Mahendra Mallya | 13 Sep 2019 | HYDERABAD


Trainer M Satyanarayana leading Freedom Fire (Afroz Khan Up), winner of The Hyderabad Veterinary College Cup Div-1

Freedom Fire (Excellent Art - Strawberry Fields) added to her recent maiden success and was as effortless in his victory as he was last time out. Jockey Afroz Khan got him to dart head and then settled him well out in front to lead them all the way.

The Satyanarayana ward free-wheeled into the straight and soon built on that lead to pile up a handy lead. Avantika had to work hard to stay in contention but could not make much impact on Freedom Fire. Jockey Afroz kept the gelding going right through with having to really ride out with any aggression. Freedom Fire eased his way past the post to score an encore showing pleasing form and due improvement while notching up his second career win. Avantika was carry a tad too much weight, hence failed to make an impact and had to ward off a keen finish from Euro Zone the latter easily coming off as the best of the beaten lot. Euro Zone's third place finish was eye-catching and may soon have his own moment.

Champion jockey Akshay Kumar was the star performer of the day scoring four delectable as only he can. He was on a roll right from the first race where he piloted trainer S Sreekant's Brave Warrior (Chinese Whisper - Da Vinci Rose) to a fine victory.

Loch Stella tried the runaway tactics and had a lead of about five lengths at the turn. She however, failed to keep it going and Jo Malone soon got past to take charge. The fancied pair of Sporting Smile and Brave Warrior moved together along the wider outside and both were ready for the final strike improving positions and inching closer to Jo Malone, the new leader. Sporting Smile veered out slightly taking Brave Warrior along, however, Akshay Kumar hit back aggressively and after a brief jostle fought his way ahead to challenge Jo Malone and eventually sped away to win comfortably. Sporting Smile just managed to rally on and pip Jo Malone for the runner-up berth.

Akshay then thrilled the crowd with a scintillating piece of riding as he covered ground briskly atop trainer L D'Silva's Premier Action (Green Coast - Hunting Hawk) to a narrow win.

Red River led them into the straight with Born Greek and Sterling King close behind. Born Greek set off past the 400 meter marker and had a handy lead approaching the distance post. Sterling King was getting nowhere while the 8/10 on public rage Premier Action was giving his large number of backers some anxious moments as he went very wide, galloping in the center of the track. Born Greek shaped well as both Red River and Sterling King did look the part and he also had a cushion of a fairly good lead over Premier Action. Akshay Kumar  lit up the favourite and Premier Action swung into action picking up speed impressively and zipped past Born Green about 50 meters from the winning post to score his maiden win on his sixth start, inflicting the agony of a fifth second place finish upon Born Greek. Silver Set ran on to take the third spot.

Platinum Classz (Lord Admiral - Cannon Baby) saddled by Faiyaz Ali Khan had her share of supporters and Akshay Kumar's dramatic entry at just the right time would have delighted each one of them.

Composure looked all set to take the crown as he led them into the straight and galloped away at a good clip. Neither Joy of Giving, who was second at that stage, not the well-backed Actually were making no impression on Composure. Platinum Classz was way too behind and making gradual progress. Just when it looked like Composure would reach the safety of the winning post, Platinum Classz came up with a blistering run and covered a lot of ground in the final 100 meters to trounce them all, leaving Composure and company completely stunned.

Akshay's riding on Moka (Top Class - Rebecca) was no less dramatic and the lightly fancied runner did benefit from the jockey's form and skill.

Country's Gift  led them into the straight and was galloping at a good pace until into the final furlong. Invasion and Vallee Ikon were closest behind him with Moka warming up on the outside. With half the field scrambling for home, it looked anybody's race 100 meters frpm home, however, Moka arrived with express speed and shut out the opposition to score a facile win and a fine display of good, short burst of speed and timed to a nicety as well. Moka floored all opponents with ease while Invasion ran well above his recent runs.  Country's Gift warded off late challenge New Hope to save place money.

The day culminated in keeping with the trend throughout in another close finish. This time it was jockey Ajeeth Kumar who took a leaf out of Akshay's book in terms of finishing with a flourish.

Cowboy's Delight led them into the straight but then could not sustain beyond the midway mark in the homestretch. As a bunch of horses were going all out hurtling towards the winning post, Ananta Vatsalya trained Just Like that (Eljohar - Sea Sand) produced a devastating finish to actually romp home in style. Patron Saint warmed up far too late and squandered an opportunity if he could only pick up a stride or two earlier than he did. Victoria too did not quicken when the opportunity was there and would rue the missed chance; she ended a length behind to take the place stakes.

For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar was the shining star of the day with his four impressive winners, while trainer L D'Silva was the only other pro to score a double.