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LIGHTNING BOLT BAGS ARTILLERY CUP

By Mahendra Mallya | 24 Nov 2019 | HYDERABAD


Mr Aditya P Thackersey & trainer L V R Deshmukh leading Lightning Bolt (David Allan Up), winner of The Artillery Cup

LVR Deshmukh trained Lightning Bolt (Excellent Art – Shamaal) lived up to expectations and returned triumphant to clinch the Artillery Cup, taking his tally to three wins from four starts. He was offered at a misery odds less than half-money. Jockey David Allan rode with finesse, while Lightning Bolt was equal to the task as he took all the cues from his jockey and galloped on to land the spoils without much ado.

Somerset snatched the early lead from Tetra Rama in the back stretch and led them until they turned for home. Lightning Bolt moved along the rails and when Somerset left a gap, David Allan did not wait for a second invitation and pushed through to seize the lead. Tetra Rama failed to pick up and packed up a lot sooner than expected. Premier Action took the turn wide and then started to rally, while Vijay’s Singham also made progress. However, neither could match up to Lightning Bolt and the favourite steered clear to win by a length to spare, without having to fire on all cylinders.  Premier Action beat Vijay’s Singham for the runner-up berth by a neck.

A race earlier, trainer Deshmukh’s ward Tiger of the Sea (Phoenix Tower – Tigi) had powered his way from the rear to produce a terrific burst of speed in the final furlong to not only cover a lot of ground, but also score by a healthy margin!

Crimson Fire tried the runaway tactics and led comfortably all the way into the straight. He had a useful lead of about four lengths entering the straight with the rest of the pack another five further behind, Tiger of the Sea being the last of them. Worse, Tiger of the Sea had to make his run from the widest out, closer to the outer railing.

Crimson Fire kicked on and was still clear approaching the distance post, when they started to bridge the gap. Crimson Fire was under pressure to sustain, when apprentice jockey Surya Prakash opened throttle atop Tiger of the Sea. IN the next couple of seconds, Tiger of the Sea was on to the bunch in front and simply flashed past them all, making them look pedestrian. He walloped his rivals drawing away to score by close to four lengths, which looked improbably just a few seconds earlier. What a win! Even Brave Warrior’s good effort paled in comparison as he too emerged from behind to take the runner-up spot. Crimson Fire held on to third, edging out Super Act.

The Dr SR Captain Memorial Cup was split into four divisions and trainer Hassan’s Green Turf (Green Coast – Methodical) claiming the first division in a close finish. Aristocrats Charm led them into the straight and faded out. Air Salute shot into the lead soon after and galloped at a good pace. Bar Et Law and Green Turf moved up together and were closing in gradually. Augenstern had to switch out for room and that proved costly for her. Air Salute kicked on hoping for the winning post to arrive soon AS Green Turf and Bar Et Law were getting closer by the stride. Green Turf with jockey Vikrant in the saddle picked up momentum in the last 100 meters to zip ahead and win by a length. Air Salute had to be content with the second place, just ahead of Bar Et Law.

Srinivas Reddy trained Stepper (Roi Moudit – Shadow Dancing) chose the day to score his maiden win and created a flutter doing so in the hands of apprentice jockey Jitendra Singh. Out on a start to finish mission, Stepper had a slender lead coming into the straight with Mystery close behind. Stepper accelerated well and was soon a couple of lengths clear of Mystery when Story Teller started to draw closer. Stepper however, galloped on resolutely to stay well ahead and score comfortably and pick up the division II of the Dr SR Captain Cup. Story Teller had to fight hard to take the runner-up berth from Mystery. Star Racer and debutante Sugar An Spice ended close behind. Sugar An Spice, for a first outing, picked up well and could do a lot better next time out.

Waseen Ahmed’s Angel Tesoro (Royal gladiator – Flying Rani) won the third division of the race with a big margin of five lengths. Buzz Light Year led them into the straight but just when he was about to step on it, Angel Tesoro arrived with a scorching run to shut out the opposition in split-seconds. Jockey BR Kumar got Angel Tesoro going from the wider outside and the moment the filly got into the top gear, she was all over them. She flashed past into the lead and stretched out impressively to score her maiden win on her eleventh start. Buzz Light Year ended a shade ahead of Flying Queen.

Flag of Honour (Western Aristocrat – Bright Future) also brought up his maiden win and this was his third start. The Hassan trainee was in second as Red River led them into the straight and soon swung into action on straightening up. Once in the lead, Flag of Hnour picked up speed and stretched out nicely to leave the others no chance whatsoever. He was all alone in front in the final furlong and although Maxwell tried hard, he simply could not make any impact on the winner. Flag of Honour won by move than three lengths from Maxwell. Promiseofhappiness did well to save place money considering he was slowly off from the gates.

Debutante Waitoma (Eljohar – Dallaah) saddled by D Netto, earned his first success the hard way having to dig deep and give it everything to get past Lifetime, the prime fancy. Lifetime surged ahead soon on turning for home and worked up good pace to build on the lead. Waitoma moved along the rails and jockey Kiran Naidu too was working hard to urge Waitoma to close the gap. Lifetime was proving tough to catch as she too was going all out. Waitoma picked up speed and with Naidu riding flat out, managed to pip Lifetime on the post to make it a memorable debut.    

The last race of the day too had a close finish with Guiding Force (Green Coast – Ice Castle) having to use all his resources to keep Kesariya Balam at bay. Shiloh led them into the straight and soon Guiding Force started to make his presence felt. Jockey Suraj Narredu didn’t take too long to get past Shiloh and then had to keep the momentum going. Kesariya Balam quickened in the final furlong to launch an all-out attack on the leader. Two top jockeys in Suraj Narredu and local champ Akshay Kumar were in their elements as they fought hard through the final furlong and Guiding Force just managed to keep Kesariya Balam away by a head at the wire. Shiloh held on to take the third place from Solo Winner.

For the professionals, trainers LVR Deshmukh and SSF Hassan saddled a double each.