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DOWNTOWN GAL ENDS CAMPAIGN WITH A FLASHY WIN

By Mahendra Mallya | 03 Mar 2021 | HYDERABAD


Trainer Laxman Singh leading Downtown Gal (Suraj Narredu Up), winner of The Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate

Downtown Gal (Multidimensional – Cest Bon) was one among the top performers for the season ending her campaign with a haul of four victories in all including a three in a row and a third place in the HRC Golconda 1000 Guineas (Gr2) which two was a commendable effort. The Laxman Singh trainee was at ease in the third position behind Esteva and Maxwell, with Chuckit close behind her. This four filled the frame, keeping the other runners at bay.

Downtown Gal travelled hard held until into the straight with Esteva enjoying a handy lead of about two lengths past the 400m. Maxwell was not picking up and was soon joined and passed by Downtown Gal. She picked up speed and galloped freely, soon cruising past Esteva and bouncing off and away without having to be ridden out. She won easing up compiling a fine hattrick and can now rest well after a successful showing for the season. Maxwell managed to beat Esteva for the runner-berth.

Peaky Blinders (Whatsthescript – So Charm) too enjoyed a satisfactory season with three wins the first of which was as sensational as they get! This time however, Peaky Blinders was up with the pace in second behind Egyptian Prince with the rest following close behind in a bunch.

Egyptian Prince could not sustain for too long and gave up when Peaky Blinders came alongside. Jockey Akshay Kumar soon pushed his mount ahead and sped away to compile a handy lead. Favourite Mirana was struggling, the weight perhaps taking toll on her and she just could not keep up. Saffron Art moved up nicely and even looked good enough to put up a strong challenge. However, Peaky Blinders, known for his fighting qualities, upped the ante and kicked on gamely to hold on by half a length. Saffron Art did well to cover considerable ground, but gave in to the inevitable. Spicy Star ran on to beat Egyptian Prince for the third.

Jockey Suraj Narredu scored a fine treble on the day including Downtown Gal, starting with an impressive win atop popular fancy Proud (Planetaire – Perfect Polly) schooled by Deshmukh. It was Ambitious Star who led them into the straight with Hard To Toss a close second. Proud made rapid progress to join these two approaching the distance post and then shot ahead, showing fine acceleration.  He won drawing away to score a facile victory. Miss Little Angel rallied well and improved in the final few strides to beat the rest easily and make her debut a good learning experience. Hard To Toss ended a tame third.

Suraj then earned a hard-fought win astride Laxman Singh trained Southern Princess (Excellent Art - Southern Bay). She had some distance to cover as Flying Jet had a sizable lead coming into the homestretch. Trump Star was going all out but getting nowhere. Suraj alerted Southern Princess who was still about two or three lengths behind the leader. With less than a furlong to go, it looked a big task as Flying Jet was giving it her all and dashing for the pot. Southern Princess put in a strong and determined run and just about managed to stick her nose in front at the wire to carve out a thrilling last stride win. One felt for Flying Jet, having to go down so closely for a second time this season. She was ahead all the way and lost it on the last stride. Star Dancer ended a faraway third.

Jockey Akshay Kumar displayed fine skills in getting Stunning Force (Lord Admiral – Cazrina) his maiden win on his third start. It was a well-fought win as City of Bliss had a clear upper hand coming into the straight with a good lead. Stunning Force had to dig deep into his reserves and had to toil to bridge the gap. City of Bliss shifted out slightly and Akshay pushed through along the rails to join alongside. The duo fought hard through the final 100 meters and Stunning Force just about got the measure of City of Bliss to score an exciting victory by a neck. Moonlight Ruby finished to take the third spot.

Scramjet (Air Support – Scarlette) repeated his previous race day’s victory with another resolute victory and now has back to back wins to show in his opening campaign for the season. If the earlier win was pleasing, this one was easier and more dominating. He settled in third after leading for a brief while and Trevor was quick to pounce on the front running Platinum Classz and Echoes of Heaven soon on turning for home. Once in the lead, Scramjet produced a fiery turn of foot and won drawing away, leaving the rest fighting only for the minor placing. Scramjet won by over three lengths; Blue Valentine got past just Incredible to snatch the runner-up berth.

Jockey BR Kumar propelled Rhine (Phoenix Tower – Charlotte Ray) to produce a powerful burst at the finish to pick up her maiden win on eleventh start. Rhine rose from the mid bunch approaching the distance post. At that moment there was a crowded bunch in front of her, with Acadian Angel, Air Salute, Charcoal, Big Day Kintsugi and others scrambling for the winning post.  Rhine whizzed past the runners and the momentum she carried saw her get past them all and get her joyous moment of first victory by a narrow ¾ lengths. Air Salute and Bedazzled followed her home, a neck separating them.   

Ravindra Kumar’s Hashtag (Green Coast – Romancing) also got the monkey off his back achieving his first winning bracket on his 10th start. Jockey Gaurav Singh was out quick with Hashtag but settled in a close third position as Let It be Me took charge and led until they turned for home. Hashtag moved one behind Let It Be Me as they straightened for home and soon he started to wear down the leader. Sublime started to merger from behind and was shaping well with just over a furlong to go. Hashtag put in a determined gallop with Gaurav Singh giving it his all to ensure the fast finishing Sublime could not snatch it all away. There was a scare alright as Sublime came hard at Hashtag, but Hashtag held on to hit the wire on time and score by neck from Sublime. Jo Malone improved positions, ending a faraway third.

Although two extra meetings have been added to the season, the official closure being the 3rd of March 2021, the tally for the Championships was concluded as of 3rd March 2021. The list of winners in their respective categories is as follows:

1. Champion Trainer - Mr R H Sequeira             30 wins

2. Champion Jockey - Akshay Kumar                39 wins

3. Champion Apprentice Jockey Claiming Allowance               7 Wins

4. Leading Owner (All horses ran at Hyderabad)                                                    Stake Money
Dr M A M Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust                                Rs. 32,87,480.00

5. Leading Individual Local owner
Only Hyderabad based horses

Mr Sarasam Madhusudan Reddy                                                                            Rs.19,99,351.00

6. Leading Joint Owners (All horses ran at Hyderabad)

Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta & Mr Susheel Kumar Gupta rep.                                           Rs.34,32,764.63
Vijay Racing & Farms Private Limited & Mr Zavaray S Poonawalla
& Mrs Behroze Z Poonawalla rep. Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt Ltd
and Mr Aditya P Thackersey 

7. Leading Joint Owners (Local only Hyderabad based horses)

Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta & Mr Susheel Kumar Gupta rep.                                           Rs.34,32,764.63
Vijay Racing & Farms Private Limited & Mr Zavaray S Poonawalla
& Mrs Behroze Z Poonawalla rep. Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt Ltd
and Mr Aditya P Thackersey 

8. Champion Horse

LOMBARDY 4Y, ch f Leitir Mor(IRE) / Lombardia                      18 Points

Owned by Ms Simone Zavareh Poonawalla rep. Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Private Limited, Mr Rishad N Pandole & Mr Aditya P Thackersey

The HRC Golconda Derby (Gr.1)                         Winner           9 Points
The HRC Golconda 1000 Guineas (Gr.2)            Winner           6 Points
The HRC Golconda Oaks (Gr.2)                           Winner          3 Points

9. Horse of the season

5Y, ch h LIGHTNING BOLT by Excellent Art(GB) / Shamaal          Rating: 86  4 Starts 4 Wins 

Mr Zavaray S Poonawalla & Mrs Simone Z Poonawalla rep by. Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Private Limited, Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta & Mr Susheel Kumar Gupta rep by Vijay Racing & Farms Private Limited & Mr Aditya P Thackersey