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PRADEEP, PRASANNA CLOSE IN ON SULAIMAN

By Ikram Khan | 15 Feb 2020 | BANGALORE


Trainer K Pradeep Annaiah leading Psychic Warrior (P Kiran Rai Up), winner of The Chatrapathi Cup

Last start winner Psychic Warrior produced another sublime effort to record his second straight success and that helped trainer Pradeep Annaiah, who is enjoying a dream run this winter, without doubt the best season in his career, stay in contention for the championship. The lesser fancied winner piloted by Kiran Rai assumed command at the distance post and powered through to score from Set To Win and Commodus. The stablemaate of Commodus, Corona Del Corsa was fancied most in the plum event, the Chatrapathi Cup run over a sprint on the strength of his impressive last start victory, but the public choice partnered by leading pro Sandesh  was never in serious contention, struggling to gain a favourable position early on in the race and later running out and in to eventually finish in the ruck. This effort of Corona Del Corso is too bad to be true and it will pay to support this Prasanna ward again when saddled next. 

Missing out in the plum event for more reasons than one, Prasanna struck through the seven to one shot Knotty Oak in the principal added attraction, the F K Irani Memorial Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner piloted by Antony Raj hit the front the moment the dozen contestants came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip to also keep Prasanna in the run for the champion trainer crown. The topweighted Cavaliere from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard who was backed to the exclusion of his 11 rivals again failed to get into the winners' circle finishing second in his last three starts. Prince Azeem piloted by Trevor Patel did well to gain the third spot ahead of Schafenburg. 

Arjun Manglorkar who lost out on Cavaliere, earlier led in the ten to one shot Flamingo Road in the opening event for juveniles run over a sprint. The winner who had improved  from his maiden educative effort hit the front in the hands of leading pro Srinath and gallantly held onto score from the favourite Arlette who was fancied most in the betting ring.. Sir Jersey made a satisfactory start to his career finishing a suggestive third and it will not be long before this youngster from Prasanna's yard sheds his maiden status. 

Neil Devaney who had combined effectively with John striking it rich on Gin Daisy on Friday got it right again on Hunters Moon in the Dandeli Plate run over 1100M dash. The last start winner again made every post a winning one while justifying the confidence of his supporters, who were confident that Hunters Moon would provide an encore. Apollo Bay gained the runner-up berth ahead of Air Force One while Altair completed the frame. 

The Dominic schooled Smile Of Joy and King Creole from the stables of Padmanabhan were fancied most in the Melukote Plate run over a mile. But it was Brown Bess piloted by Trevor from Dheeraj's yard who proved too good storming home in emphatic fashion. Smile Of Joy, who closed favourite at end followed the winner home while King Creole had to rest content with the third spot after shifting out a trifle in the final furlong. 

Knocking at the door, Debonair rightly garnered the maximum support in the Planetarium Plate and the Faraz Arshad ward made every post a winning one in the hands of jockey Imran Khan. Flt Captain from Irfan Ghatala's yard was seen covering good ground at end to peg back the second in demand at the betting ring Super Gladiator for the runner-up berth. Flt Captain on the strength of this effort may well earn a winning bracket if his connections choose to exploit him over a seven furlongs trip. 

The Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Chantelle who made a favourable impression while finishing a game second behind Sea Of Cortez on the Derby day was fancied most in the concluding event, the Royal Russian Plate. The connections of Caesars Palace too quietly fancied their chances while Legendary Princess. another in with a chance was freely offered ata (5/1). Caesars Palace in the hands of Saddam Hussaim to the delight of the Satish Narredu camp came up trumps. The winner was backed down from (4/1) to (5/2) while the favourite was offered at (6/4). All that the favourite could do was to save money in place, finishing a tame third behind Sun Splash while Legendary Princess was never in the hunt.