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PADMANABHAN, TREVOR CORNER GLORY

By Ikram khan | 12 Dec 2020 | BANGALORE


Mr C Aryama Sundaram & trainer S Padmanabhan leading Knight Templar (P Trevor Up), winner of The Racing Patrons Trophy

Top gun S Padmanabhan maintained his winning streak leading in two winners including Knight Templar winner of the Racing Patrons Trophy over a mile. The winner piloted by leading pro Trevor Patel, who combined successfully with Padmanabhan to record a double was second in demand at the betting ring following inspired support for the Neil Darashah-trained Tenno Sho on the strength of his impressive effort in his last essay, close second behind another Padmanabhan star performer  Well Connected. But the even-money favourite surprisingly performed below par and in fact the listless effort shocked most followers of form. The Neil Darashah ward, who has been a model of consistency, be it competing at home or in Kolkata failed to make the frame and that is a sorry tale to narrate. Knight Templar brilliantly guided by Trevor won in style and is set to provide an encore.

Earlier, Trevor had it easy on the favourite Amazing Blaze in the Adichunchanagiri Plate. The bred in the purple youngster from the Poonawalla Stud Farm easily snuffed out the challenge of Welcome Surprise and First Impression to the delight of her supporters. Silverita from trainer Arjun Manglorkar’s yard and the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Arabian Phoenix too did enjoy small support but failed to make a impression. Silverita deserves another chance taking into account that she appears a improving type while Arabian Phoenix is not the one I would recommend to follow.

Last week I brought to light that it will do Irfan Ghatala a lot of good if his favourites from his yard produce better efforts when fancied to score. But that’s just not happening and the railbirds are now demanding explanations while pointing out that it is time the men exercising vigil at this premier centre wake up and crack the whip. Half-money favourite Watchmystars who impressed most in her last essay finished a poor third and it is just not Watchmystars, Garamond too flopped while fancied most in a maiden event last week and a couple of other hot fancies have bit the dust much to the chagrin of the punters, who go by the book of form and end up seeing or watching stars in broad daylight. The seven to one shot Jokshan from Sriram Komandur’s yard came up trumps in the event for juveniles pegging back Golden Vision from Satish Narredu’s yard.

The second race, the lower division of the Murudeshwar Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs floored the followers of form, Definitive from the stables of Inayathullah piloted by apprentice jockey Ankit Yadav galloping home first ahead of Song And Dance and Glorious Days. The winner paid out the highest dividend at the tote so far this season, Rs, 1,061 on a tenner. Barog from trainer Sharath Kumar’s stable was fancied most but the public choice raced in patches and eventually only managed to take a lot of good money down the drain. Barog, it appears has lost focus and it was clear that the favourite was just not ready to do the job and in this scenario it will pay to leave Barog alone until he decides to change his attitude and style in the weeks ahead. The upper division of the event too produced a shock result, Azhar Ali schooled Lovely Sierra piloted by Ashhad Asbar making every post a winning one before `nosing’ out Super Gladiator in a thrilling finish. My Vision was fancied most in this event but the public choice only managed to finish a poor fourth. Indian Star was the top fancy in this concluding event but the Prithviraj ward opted out of the race.

After his supporters lost out big on Barog, Sharath Kumar helped recoup losses through The Response in the Badami Plate run over a sprint. The winner opened at (13/10) before the gelding was smashed down to (90/100). And to the delight of his supporters, The Response produced a sparkling gallop in the hands of Naveen to score in emphatic fashion. The Response is in top form and it will pay to again follow him next time out. Azeemki Princess gained the runner-up berth ahead of San Bernardino who appears to have improved.

Another favourite who without a fuss justified favouritism was the speedy Cuban Pete. The winner from Sulaiman Attaollahi’s yard was confidently piloted by Zervan in the principal added attraction, the Garden City Trophy run over a sprint. Silver Dew from trainer Ganapathy’s yard caught the eye while finishing a game second and is one for the notebook. Knotty Oak too did reasonably well to finish third and this Prasanna ward is set to enter the winners’ circle in the month ahead.

Alexandre Dumas from Narayan Gowda’s stable proved too good in the Becket Plate run over a mile romping home by more than six lengths. The winner piloted by Ryan Ahmed looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before he went out and demolished his rivals in style. Alexandre Dumas on the strength of this victory is certain to provide an encore when saddled next. Venus Bay finished a game second ahead of Mighty Red who can pick up a race if his connections judiciously place him in events which are not highly competitive.