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EXCLUSIVE BLUE WINS SPEAKER'S CUP

By Mahendra Mallya | 22 Dec 2019 | HYDERABAD


Trainer Laxman Singh leading Exclusive Blue (A Ashhad Asbar Up), winner of The Speaker's Cup

Exclusive Blue (Ravel – Blue Sonata), saddled by Laxman Singh, sailed through in the homestretch to outpace the field that included favourite Prince Valiant among others. Exclusive Blue too charge soon on turning for home and then picked up momentum to dash further ahead. Prince Valiant was not sighted until it was too late. He came charging in but by then Exclusive Blue was way ahead and out of reach. Exclusive Blue, with jockey Ashhad Asbar, romped home to win by over three lengths. Prince Valiant disappointed even though he finished second ahead of Shaquille and Nayadeep. 

Trainer Hassan’s Ayur Shakti (Midnight Interlude – Excellent Day) fired in along the rails to score an encore and win the division one of the Sardar Mohan Singh Bagga Memorial Cup with ease. Sporting Smile led them deep into the straight but she drifted out under pressure and lost whatever chances she had to go all the way. 
Marinetti failed to quicken and raised little hope. Ayur Shakti made steady progress along the rails and cruised past these two to emerge clear winner past the post. 
The lower division of the saw an exciting three-way finish with Flamboyant Lady fighting on despite a dual challenge brewing up. Favourite Galloping Gangster had a tough challenge to face as he inched closer to Flamboyant Lady. Reno Star started to close-in on this pair in the final few strides. Jockey Ashhad Asbar rode his heart out and got that little extra bit from Galloping Gangster and the Laxman Singh trainee dug deep to find that bit just in time to peg back Flamboyant Lady closer home. Reno Star finished a short=head behind the lady for the third place. 

Satyanarayana trained Whisky Martini (Arazan – Blue Ribbon) scored a fluent debut win in the hands of jockey Rohit Kumar in the opening race of the day. 

Favourite Kapell Bruke led from the start with Chuckit in pursuit, Lightning Pearl was close behind alongside Whisky Martini. Kapell Bruke galloped on once they turned for home and controlled the straight until the last 100 meters. Whisky Martini, who always seemed a bit keen, unleashed a powerful run in the final furlong. Once she came on the scene, she looked the winner as she was devouring ground at a good rate. Kapell Bruke could not sustain and the inevitable happened just a few strides from the winning post, with Whisky Martini zipping past and clinch a splendid win on her debut. Kapell Bruke will live to fight another day, while Team Player made some progress to earn place stakes. 

Blazing Speed (Green Coast – Days of Thunder) delighted a large number of following with a strong finishing effort, which in fact was rather effortless. Golden Coast had just tackled Ashwa Yudh Vijeta and when Blazing Speed started to warm up. She a good four or five lengths to cover and apprentice jockey Rohit Kumar drove her up with a couple of cracks. That was all she needed as Blazing Speed, true to her name charged in from the outside and simply cruised past the pair to score a facile victory. Golden Coast finished two lengths behind followed by Ashwa Yudh Vijeta a length and quarter away. 

Sateesh trained Red River (Tazahum – Perfect Rhythm) pulled a fine victory to notch up her maiden win on 15th start. She cruised to the front once they turned for home and soon stole a march, leaving the rest to chase her down. That did not happen as Red River kept the momentum going all the way to stay well clear of the rest and win convincingly. Maxwell rallied late in the straight to take the runner up spot. Jo Malone worked hard all through and was rewarded with the place money. 

Vallee Ikon created a flutter winning the last race of the day and stunning the fancied lot. The Waseem Ahmed ward galloped freely as he from the start and did lot a horse get past him at any stage. Jockey Vikrant did a good job in controlling the outward drift in the latter half of the straight and kept the gelding going to win with a measure of comfort. Brave Syera managed to pip Yogya for the second slot. Sun Dancer rallied a bit to progress and finish fourth without bothering the top finishers. 

For the professionals, trainer Laxman Singh saddled a double, while jockeys Ashhad Asbar and Rohit Kumar scored a double each as well.