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CHOUHAN STEALS LIMELIGHT ON OPENING DAY

By Ikram Khan | 07 Aug 2021 | BANGALORE


Trainer Darius Byramji leading Multifaceted (S John Up), winner of The Monsoon Cup

Racing back after a yawning gap of 6 months was good, but the fact that it was spectator-less was most disappointing. Even the pros who had a good day didn't really enjoy it much. Sport without spectators lacks the excitement and appeal and the first day, first show failed to generate the buzz.The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) can ill afford to conduct the summer season in this pattern taking into that this premier centre too like Mumbai is facing a financial crisis and doling out skates without any revenue is not what the doctor ordered. 

Leading pro Pradeeo Chouhan fresh from his successful stint in Mumbai stole the limelight on the opening day recording a fine treble through three top fancies. Chouhan opened his account on the Irfan Ghatala schooled In A Breeze who proved too good for her 11 rivals in the lower division of the Always A Rainbow Plate run over a sprint. The winner who in the past had twice failed to justify favouritism is in good nick and it will surprise most if this Irfan ward fails to provide an encore, Dynamical from Arvind Ganapathy's yard gained the runner-up berth ahead of Orleans while Chain Of Thoughts filled the frame. 

Next on the Prithviraj-trained All Attractive in the upper division of the K N Guruswamy Memorial Trophy, Chouhan again had it easy sailing past the leader Brunhild in the final furlong to romp home a deserving winner. The winner who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring looks a goodtype and more will be heard of All Attractive in the month ahead. Brunhild was satisfactory in her attempt to make every post a winning one and it will not be long before this filly from Prasanna Kumar's yard earns her corn bill.

The lower division of the event saw the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Angelico carry too many guns for his 11 rivals, galloping home without unduly being extended by the Hyderabadi chote nawab Akshay Kumar.Divine Blessings from Arjun Manglorkar's yard finished second and this Air Support progeny will be a different proposition if her connections choose to campaign this fashionably bred filly over longer trips. 

In a line for a treble, Chouhan astride the lesser fancied Lake Tahoe needed to stretch every sinew to edge out Redoubtable and the favourite Forever Together in a close finish. The winner from Darius Byramji's yard had the best credentials, but it was Forever Together who was the top fancy and he could have gained the day with a more forceful and tactful saddle artiste. Anyway now that Lake Tahoe has got into the winning enclosure he is certain to continue taking into account that he will only get better after this exercise. 

The opening event, the Accueillir Plate run over a sprint  was claimed by the Prithviraj-trained Indian Star. Leading pro Imran Khan astride the winner really didn't need to flex his muscles to boot home the winner who appeared nicely relaxed and fit to strike it rich. Dream Chaser finished second ahead of Sizzler who caught the eye and is one for the notebook.    

The smart looking Multifaceted cantered home in the opening plum of the season, the Moonsoon Cup without breaking sweat. S.John sent the top fancy to the front the moment the field of six runners came under the starter's flag for the seven furlongs trip and the Darius Byramji ward never let the initiative slip bolting up in emphatic fashion. Multifaceted is in sublime form and all credit to Darius for keeping this top class performer in top condition. Northern Alliance as expected gained the runner-up berth ahead of Automatic who did well to finish ahead of Mauritania who appeared a bit rusty. 

The Arjun Manglorkar-trained Stockbridge came up trumps in the Dharmaprakash L S Venkaji Rao Memorial Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner who was fancied most was strongly piloted by Neeraj Rawal to come up on tops from A Star Is Born who was seen finishing on fastest at end and on the strength of this performance is certain to stand tall at the podium in his next essay. Teresita from Sulaiman's yard finished third ahead of Southern Dynasty from Ganapathy's yard, who it was clear was only testing ground before throwing the dart, aiming to hit the bull's eye. 

The well bred Drusilla who shifted stables and is now under the care of Neil Darashah after starting out under the eye of Padmanbhan looked head and shoulders above her 10 rivals in the concluding event, the upper division of the Always A Rainbow Plate and she readily pulled the plug and fused out her rivals even before the race came on a boil. Drusilla appears to have touched peak form and she is one other who will be hard to down when saddled next. Flamingo Road followed the winner home without much hope and it will pay to keep an eye on this Arjun ward in a moderate company.