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CONSCIOUS GIFT BOUNCES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

By Mahendra Mallya | 27 Dec 2020 | HYDERABAD


Trainer L D Silva leading Conscious Gift (Akshay Kumar U p), winner of The Crack Regiment Plate

L D’Silva trained Conscious Gift (Speaking of Which – Brushed Aside) got his act together after a run benefit to time his run to perfection. He worked up enough speed to come from behind and score an emphatic victory. He had remained winless in his previous three starts, after roaring back-to-back wins at the start of his career last year.

Jockey Akshay Kumar had to wind his way up in the straight as he moved inwards and then outwards again, searching for a clear run. Incredulous guided them into the straight but could not find the speed that got him his victory in the last start. On entering the straight, Sporting Smile and Apollo got past him and were engaged in a fight. Conscious Gift moved inwards behind these two but sensing the danger of getting caught behind, Akshay changed course to the outside. Once he got a clear turf ahead, Conscious Gift found that extra gear and arrived with a late and furious burst of speed. Apollo had shaped well until then, but was completely overwhelmed by the winner. Conscious Gift was all over him in a matter of strides and dashed ahead to score by over a length. Rhythm Selection also came in with a late bid to snatch the runner up berth from Apollo on the last stride.

Forever Splendour (Leitir Mor – Forever Glory) followed up his facile debut win last month with yet another splendid performance. The Laxman Singh ward was impressive over the sprint last time out and the step-up in trip made little difference showing his versatility. He settled behind the leader Northern Command until past the 700m mark and then gradually took charge to lead them into the straight. Jockey Trevor had him in check until into the straight and then let the gelding unleash a powerful gallop. He was away in a flash and looked the winner long way from home. Forever Splendour eventually won by nearly four lengths; trouncing the opposition without having to go all out. Super Angel ran on to finish second, while Explosive improved to take the third spot.

Jockey Akshay Kumar yet again displayed fine form booting home three winners on the day. His first success came astride King Roger (Western Aristocrat – Catherine Linton) in the day’s second race.

King Roger was never prominent in the early stages as Sugar An Spice and Just Incredible were at the helm as they turned for home. Just Incredible shook off his companion and went for the lead; Amyra slipped in through the rails and seemed ready for business for a brief while. King Roger made his move from the wider out picking up speed from the centre of the track. Jockey Akshay Kumar urged him on and the Sequeira trainee responded with a game gallop and soon went sailing ahead inside the final furlong to compile a comfortable victory, his first win on his third start. Just Incredible failed to latch on to the runner-up spot as Castlerock finished on with a nippy run to end a good second. Amyra was beaten to fourth.

Akshay Kumar then produced his best for the day astride the Sequeira trained Peaky Blinders (Whatsthescript – So Charm) in the concluding event of the day. It took an all-out effort from both the jockey and Peaky Blinders who produced a fiery burst in the last few strides to pip Beautiful Luv on the post in an incredible finish. Beautiful Luv looked in charge as they swung into the straight. Beautiful Luv had a handy lead and also kept a good momentum going; With Chuckit not making much impact despite being close behind in second, it appeared that Beautiful would pull it off. Peaky Blinders started to draw closer to these two, somewhere midway down the straight. It still looked a Herculean task for Peaky Blinders as he was still taking time getting the acceleration going. Also the question whether he had enough ground to get past the leader was also looming large in the minds of those watching. It was in the last 50 meters that Peaky Blinders produced a fiery burst and it took blinding speed to achieve what Peaky Blinders did; he picked up terrific speed and conquered Beautiful Luv literally on the last stride! This was the most stunning last ditch effort and finish for the day. Beautiful Luv was grossly unlucky to have missed out by a whisker after looking the winner all through the straight. Chuckit did well to take the third spot, close behind the pair that hit the wire almost together.

Horus (Tenth Star – Riverbank), who had just faltered close home in his last start, came into his own despite carrying a heavy impost of 62.5 kilos. He entered the straight and soon shifted gears to go sailing clear early in the homestretch. Jockey Suraj Narredu put him on cruise mode thereafter and the D Netto trainee won drawing away from the rest. Nova Scotia ran on to finish second well over five lengths behind the winner. Sun Dancer came from behind to peg back Royal Pal for the third spot.

Laxman Singh trained Saffron Art (Lord Admiral – Turf Lightning) gave Suraj a back-to-back double coming up trumps in an exciting finish. Look of Love looked on course as she led them homewards with a handy lead as cushion. She further accelerated to build on that and was well clear at the distance post. Crazy Horse had made steady progress after veering out and racing on the wider out in the early stages and was inching closer to the leader when Suraj set Saffron Art alive. The three-year-old filly arrived with a sweetly-timed run; she dashed ahead of the fighting duo and post her maiden victory, outpacing the duo in front in the final few strides. It was an easier victory than the mere ¾ lengths margin would suggest.  Crazy Horse managed to peg back Look of Love to take the second spot and should be able to earn his bracket sooner than later. Forever Bond too finished on well to finish a close fourth.

Ashwa Raudee (Speaking of Which – Serrafina) pulled off a clinical start-to-finish victory making it a memorable debut win. He was quick to hit the front and then worked a nice pace all through. He entered the straight with a handy lead but had a good momentum going. Jockey P Trevor nursed the first timer deftly and Ashwa Raudee responded with a smooth fluent finishing gallop to stay out of bounds for the rest. He won by close to three lengths. Galwan followed the winner all the way home without making any impact on the Srinivas Reddy ward. Baudelaire finished on to take the place money.

For the professionals, Akshay Kumar scored a popular treble, while trainers Laxman Singh, RH Sequeira and jockeys Suraj Narredu and P Trevor each scored a double.