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LIGHTNING BOLT STRIKES AGAIN

By Mahendra Mallya | 07 Feb 2021 | HYDERABAD


Trainer LVR Deshmukh leading Lightning Bolt (P Trevor Up), winner of the Peddapalli Plate

Lightning Bolt (Excellent Art – Shamaal) from the stables of trainer Deshmukh, picked up speed in the final 100 meters to shock Agni and clinch the issue in the dying moments of the race. Agni had shaped well turning into the homestretch as he easily got past Havelock Cruise and picked up momentum to build a handy lead. Lightning bolt with Trevor in the saddle, set about in chase and had a few lengths to cover; the question was whether there was enough ground for him to do so. Agni too was showing no signs of weakening, hence it took an intense effort that saw Lightning Bolt gain on Agni briskly and collar him just in time to carve out a narrow win.  Sovet Pride ran on to take the third spot without troubling the top two.

Crazy Horse lived up to his name and produced another eye-popping victory on the day. This one was perhaps even more dramatic than that of Lightning Bolt. Forever Splendour looked home and dry as he galloped into the final furlong with an ample lead of about five lengths. Those closest behind him were struggling to keep up. Crazy Horse (Oiseau De Feu – Straightforward) with Akshay Kumar astride started to cover ground at a good clip and even though he was inching closer with every stride, few would have believed he would get to Forever Splendour. Crazy Horse arrived with a sizzling gallop and could not have timed his run better as he got Forever Splendour right on the wire to snatch away the race from the prime favourite in a sensational finish. Mark My Day ran on to beat Ayur Shakti for the third spot.

Laxman Singh trained Saffron Art (Lord Admiral – Turf Lightning) scored an encore despite the big jump in distance and won impressively over the 2000m trip with a measure of comfort. She jumped out the quickest and led briefly before letting the others go past her and jockey Suraj Narredu had her on tight reins for most of the journey. Melting Ice stole a march coming into the straight, but no lead can be considered safe on the long Hyderabad homestretch and soon enough, Suraj produced Saffron Art, still hard-held, alongside the leader. Saffron Art was visibly superior and she took off at a good rate to win by over two lengths effortlessly. Melting Ice did well to finish second, while Grand Finale fought off Eagle Bluff for the place spoils.

Laxman Singh compiled a double in the very next race with Southern Princess (Excellent Art – Southern Bay) scoring a facile victory. Classy Dame led them into the straight and weakened. Whiskey Martini took charge approaching the distance post but never looked in command. Southern Princess and Certitude rallied from some distance behind to catch up with Whiskey Martini. Southern Princess found top speed and sailed ahead and won drawing away in the last few strides. Certitude easily beat Whiskey Martini for the runner-up berth.

British Empress (Win Legend – Deputy Empress) added to her win tally of two and this win came after a long wait - she last won in October of 2019. She improved a couple of notches from the sixth position as Red Snaper led them into the straight with That’s My Magic ready to take over. British Empress moved up along the rails and found her touch soon enough to devour ground at a good clip. She collared That’s My Magic with a 100 to go and shot ahead to win convincingly. That’s My Magic did well to take the second spot, while Red Snaper too ended a good third.

Trump Star (Mull of Kintyre – Oceanic Wisdom) also took a long while to score, his last was on his debut in November 2019. He showed considerable improvement over his two previous runs this season and was right up in front as they turned for home.

Jockey Suraj Narredu nursed trainer Netto’s ward and opened the throttle only after they were well inside the homestretch. Explosive who was close by failed to quicken. Blissful came up with a quality challenge and got alongside Trump Star, however, she could not get past Trump Star who had a lot left going to the wire. Trump Star held on by half a length from Blissful. Star Dancer was the one to improve considerably in the final furlong and ended a good third.

Trainer Ravindra Singh’s New Look (Sedgefield – Ballade Danon) after two ordinary outings had spurted well on her latest morning workouts and she reproduced that on the race track and reaped rich rewards. She got going midway into the straight and caught up with Best Buddy and Key To Time who were in front. Jockey Kiran Naidu rode hard and seized the lead inside the final furlong. Best Buddy shifted out and that didn’t help his cause; however, New Look finished full of running and kicked on to launch her maiden win. Salisbury had a lot to do in the straight and although he did finish fast all he could do was beat key To Time for the place money. He will certainly benefit from this run and is one to note.    

Prime Gardenia (Arazan – Queen’s Collection) also notched up his maiden win with a good burst of speed, rallying well to beat Astronaut in a gripping finish. With a furlong to go, it looked like anybody's race as Kintsugi, Prime Gardenia, and Hip Hop were almost abreast with Astronaut jumping into the fray. Jockey Ajeeth Kumar got the Robin Reddy ward going and had a slight upper hand coming into the final 100. Prime Gardenia galloped gamely all through to win by half a length from Astronaut. Kintsugi held on to place money from Queen Blossom.      

For the professionals, trainer Laxman Singh saddled a double, while jockeys Suraj Narredu, Trevor and Akshay Kumar scored a double each.