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JULIETTE SETS SIGHTS ON DERBY AFTER IMPRESSIVE OAKS WIN

By Mahendra Mallya | 18 Jan 2020 | MUMBAI


Dr A C Muthiah & trainer Karthik Ganapathy leading Juliette (Colm O Donoghue Up), winner of The Indian Oaks (Gr.1)

Karthik Ganapathy trained Juliette (Musketier – Gimmesumsugar, Sohna Stud) reduced his opponents to mere mortals with an electrifying stretch run to tear away from the pack and soar on her own in the final furlong.  She scorched the turf while whizzing past the grand stands and certainly raises confidence, emerging as one of the main contenders for the Indian Derby (Gr1) 2020. 

Juliette was not the quickest out, but her jockey Colm O Donoghue nursed her past the back-markers to settle in the mid-bunch into the backstretch. Meanwhile, Notoriety set a decent pace with the Guineas winner Gift of Grace close behind until the turn. 

The rush began soon as they started to turn for home with Gift of Grace snatching the lead from Notoriety and leading them in. However, she barely held charge as Thailand surged ahead past the 400m mark and was accelerating well. Well Connected arrived and was catching up with the two in front, making her run along the rails. Sea the Dream, who was right there, would have felt the whoosh when Juliette unleashed a dazzling burst and stormed past her.  

Up in front, Thailand was desperately hanging on as Well Connected was threatening close behind and Gift of Grace fighting hard for survival. Juliette cruised past them with ridiculous ease. In split-seconds the Karthik trainee was ahead and drawing away.  Colm O Donoghue could smile with the success as he did play a part in torching Juliette at the right moment and get her to fire away. Juliette clocked a nippy 2:29:98 a pretty decent timing considering the first half of the race was not too pacey. Well Connected wore down Thailand to grab the runner-up berth and although the margin was almost six lengths, she did her reputation no harm taking the second slot. She just encountered a breezy Juliette on her day. Thailand too did well to take the third place while Armaity, who was languishing in the rear until the turn, improved positions to finish in the frame. 

California (Speaking Of Which – Godspeed, Usha Stud) saddled by Malesh Narredu, shrugged off her last start defeat and came into her own with a scintillating performance. Jockey Trevor had her settle in the fourth position as Exotic Queen led until into the straight with Recall of You close behind. California armed up nicely once into the straight and produced a scorching gallop past the 400m to run away from the field. She picked up speed and left the rest far behind notching up a huge win by a margin of seven lengths, without fully stepping on the pedal. She won easing up and certainly looks a good prospect for future as well. Lady Lanette ended one behind the winner for the third time in a row. Flame of Thea rallied well to finish close behind stablemate Lady Lanette after lagging in the rear until into the straight. 

Silver Flames (Leitir Mor – First and only One, Poonawalla Stud) had a good run before coming into this one and she showed good speed in her finish to chalk up her fourth win with a lot more conviction. Silver Flames settled in a close fourth position as Joplin and Golden Guest zipped past King Khalil early and called the shots until into the straight. Joplin quickened well in the straight and it was clear that Golden Guest was struggling. Silver Flames moved up and jockey Akshay Kumar got her going in the final furlong to sail past Joplin and post a comfortable victory. Joplin stayed in second while Flaming Martini got past Golden Guest to finish in the money. 

Dallas Todywalla trained Hidden Gold (Leitir Mor – Coccinella, Poonawalla Stud) was clinical in his maiden victory achieved on his third start. He got off quick from the gates and did well to stay clear of the jostle on the jump and darted smoothly into the lead. He came into the straight with a handy lead and accelerated nicely to stay well ahead. Jockey David Egan had to reign control as Hidden Gold suddenly started to veer outward. However, that didn't cause any anxiety as he was well ahead of the rest and kicked on to win by over two lengths. Speed Air was ridden hard and he flew towards the end to snatch the runner-up berth from Turmeric Tower close home. 

My Precious (Excellent Art – Evatina, Poonawalla Stud) took full advantage of the feather weight she was carrying with allowance claiming jokey Prakash doing a commendable job. The Karthik trainee led from the start and had to counter a determined effort from Majestic Warrior all through the long homestretch. This pair fought right from the entrance of the straight going neck and neck until the final few strides. Golden Hind had all the chances, but failed to get into top flight. Maktoob and Gentillesse too could not muster and after being in a good position to do so at the distance post. Mirabilis disappointed and was never in the hunt. Credit must go to young Prakash for standing up to the pressure and holding on to win by a length. Golden Hind managed to pip Majestic Warrior for the second, while Makhtoob edged out Gentillesse for a place in the frame. 

Malesh Narredu trained Conscience (Dean's Kitten – Alvarita, Sohna Stud) made a positive return after a long layoff to show a lot of zip while notching up her maiden victory. She did look a tad rusty while taking time to pick up, but once she did she was nippy when it mattered. Brave did not look too convincing even though he had a handy lead in the homestretch. Falconette looked threatening and once Conscience arrived, it was curtains for Brave. Conscience sped past Falconette and Brave with ease to win comfortably. Isinit came with a good finishing effort but was a tad too late, yet looked good finishing second. Falconette saved place money while Brave ended fourth. 

Narndra Lagad's Thor of Power (Whatsthescript – Octagleam, Nanoli Stud) has shown admirable consistency at his age and this time he lunged further upwards with a fighting win against the odds. Mount Moriah led them all the way into the straight and was kicking on. Tudor Hall was searching for clear passage and had to be checked more than once and also didn't look in good rhythm all through. 

Mount Moriah had a free run in the straight and he galloped well in the early half of the straight. However, when Power of Thor and Fanfare challenged him, he wilted under pressure. Power of Thor, all of seven years showed good agility in his finish and managed to thwart the late bid from Fanfare to win by a short-head. Mount Moriah ended third, a length ahead of Tudor Hall, who deserves another chance. 

Polyneices (Mull of Kintyre – Perfect Poly, Sohna Stud) pulled of a welcome win after a long while with a spirited run in the homestretch. Settling in fourth initially, jockey PS Chouhan improved position to be close behind leader Angels Harmony coming into the straight. He did not take too long to get past Angels Harmony and once in the lead, Polyneices picked up speed to build a sizable lead in the final furlong. Cormorant warmed up too late and he had to make his bid from the last position. It was all over by then and Polyneices won easing up. Cromorant could only chip at the margin and finished a length and half behind the winner. Hudson's Horse ran on to finish with the money. 

Pesi Shroff trained Rumba (Poet's Voice – Enchufla, Usha Stud) showed clean pair of heels while bring up her maiden win on her second start. She strode out majestically in the straight and was a cut above the rest winning effortlessly by a good margin of over five lengths. She should win again in her next outing as well. Sweeping Move improved to end a faraway second ahead of His Master's Vice.

For the professionals, trainers Malesh Narredu and Karthik saddled a double each.