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KAY STAR MAKES A FINE IMPRESSION

By Ikram Khan | 10 Sep 2022 | OOTY


Mr Cheriyan Abraham and trainer Dr Anil Kumar leading in Kay Star (A Ashhad Asbar up), winner of The Mount Everest Plate

The first additional day of the Udhagamandalam races held at Chennai proved a mixed bag for punters and they were satisfied with the results. Unlike Mysuru, four firm favourites and one joint favourite posed for the photographers in the winners' enclosure and that helped most punters post a good number of credit entries in the balance sheet. 

The popular double recorded by James McKeown and Sandesh boosted the confidence of the big bettors, who after suffering heavy losses in Mysuru exercised caution and significantly reduced their unit of betting. The (40/100) public rage Andorra was touted a `moral certanty' after her fair debut effort in the Bengaluru summer season, second behind Queenstown and the good looking chestnut filly without really extending herself made every post a winning one in the upper division of the Smart Chieftain Plate. The second in demand at the betting ring Berrettini piloted by Akshay Kumar made a brave attempt to challenge the winner, but the moment Sandesh eased his grip on the public rage, she bolted in to the delight of all the big bettors. Berrettini, it is needless to mention will benefit most from this tough exercise and it will pay to follow this Suresh ward when next saddled. Andorra on the strength of this effortless victory looks set to repeat, taking into account that she has tremendous scope for improvement. 

Spurred  by the success of Andorra, the punters strongly supported Slainte, another top fancy from the stables of McKeown in the lower division of the event. The firm (13/10) favourite powerfully piloted by Sandesh needed to stretch every sinew to edge out the lesser fancied Royal Monarch close home. Lady Luck finished third ahead of the Sebastian schooled Current View, who under pressure shifted out badly in the final furlong much to the disappointment of her supporters who had strongly fancied her in place. 

In line for a treble, the McKeown and Sandesh combination lost out in the concluding event, the upper division of the Saratoga Handicap run over a sprint. In what was an open affair, the three to one shot Mezcal, who failed to gain a favourable position early on in the race finished strongly at end, but the belated effort was just not good enough to get into the winners' circle. The favourite finished third behind the lesser fancied winner Cartel from Mandanna's yard confidently piloted by apprentice M S Deora and the runner-up Senora Bianca from Ramanathan's yard. The lower division of the event saw the 10 to one long shot Illustrious Ruler from Robert Foley's yard show a clean pair of heels to the short-priced favourite Augusta (45/100) from Suresh's yard piloted by Akshay Kumar. The leading `Knight' who drew a blank did his best, but found the winner too hot to handle on the day. Admiral Shaw finished a game third and is one for the note book.  

Kay Star, who had impressed most in his last effort in the Bengaluru winter season rightly opened  the favourite in the plum event, the Mount Everest Plate run over a sprint. But soon money started pouring in on the the Suresh-trained Prince Purple and the moment it was announced that Sandesh will guide the fortunes of the 1000 Guineas winner Remediesofspring, the filly attracted support, before she was withdrawn at the starting gates. Anil Kumar schooled Kay Star and Prince Purple at end were joint favourites in what now was a straight fight between the fancied two. 

Ashhad Asbar pushed Kay Star to the front the moment the creditable field of eight runners came under the starter's flag and the Anil Kumar ward, who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring justified the confidence of his trainer, while making his owners Cheriyan Abraham and Rakesh Bathra proud powering home in fine style. Prince Purple had to rest content with the runner-up spot and Choice did make his presence felt coming home third ahead of Kings Walk. 

Earlier, the Fahad Khan-trained Mystical Magician shocked the followers of form producing a winning gallop to come up tops in the opening event, the Busan Handicap run over a sprint. The winner piloted by Kaviraj proved too good for his dozen rivals including the overwhelming favourite Antigua who failed to even save money in place. Marshall finished second behind the winner who looks set to provide an encore. 

The Sebastian-trained Shivaratri and Zucardi from the stables of Suresh garnered the maximum support in the Woodbine Handicap. The former in the hands of P Saikumar produced an astounding gallop to romp home in resplendent style, while Zucardi raced in patches and eventually finished a poor fourth behind Stern Maiden. Henrietta caught the eye while gaining the runner-up berth and it will pay to follow this Karthik ward in the weeks ahead. 

The public choice Anastasia from Deepesh Narredu's yard helped Deora record a double, The winner competing in the Rose Hill Gardens Handicap assumed command at the distance post and hung on gamely to peg back the belated effort of the lesser fancied Karadeniz partnered by the five-kilo claimer Farid Ansari. The topweighted Night Hunt piloted by Khet Singh in his effort to make every post a winning one held on to finish a creditable third ahead of Wind Symbol. 

Khet Singh had earlier stunned the followers of form booting home rankoutsider Golden Marina to victory in the Ascot Handicap run over a sprint. The winner took charge at the distance post and quickly put the race to bed in the final furlong. Annexed finished second ahead of Tudor who will prove to be a different proposition when saddled next.