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SIEGE PERILOUS WINS GUINDY GOLD CUP

By Ikram Khan | 24 Nov 2022 | CHENNAI


Mr Dean Stephens & trainer Prasanna Kumar leading Siege Perilous (Antony Raj S Up), winner of The Deepak Khaitan Memorial Guindy Gold Cup (Gr.3)

Top Bengaluru trainer Prasanna Kumar pulled a rabbit out of the hat in Chennai. Winner from his last three starts including the two victories at the recently concluded Mysore season, Prasanna chose to test his in-form colt, Siege Perilous against the Mysore 2000 Guineas winner Ravishing Form from trainer Parvati Byramji's yard and the talented seasoned campaigner Priceless Gold from trainer Rajesh Narredu's yard. The bold and brave decision brought home the desired result, Siege Perilous winning the Deepak Khaitan Memorial Guindy God Cup in resplendent style from  Priceless Gold, while the top fancy Ravishing Form only managed to finish a tame third, much to the disappointment of favourite punters, who were bullish and considered Ravishing Form, the gold standard in this plum event.

Without taking away credit from the vastly improved classy winner and the fact that Prasanna sent in Siege Perilous spot on for the big test, it must be mentioned  that Akshay Kumar guiding the fortunes of Ravishing Form failed to perform at the optimum level and this apparently proved costly for the top fancy, who too looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring. 

After the eight contestants came under the starter's flag for the mile long trip, Akshay injudiciously chose to take a gap between the front runners in his attempt to go to the front and the moment the small gap closed, Akshay needed to pull back and found himself in the rear. The lesser fancied Arc De Triomphe from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard and the nohoper Emelda from the stables of Suresh set a good pace closely followed by Siege Perilous all through the back stretch before Siege Perilous powerfully piloted by Antony Raj streaked ahead at the top of the straight. At this Juncture Akshay had to circle the field and he did that and challenged the Prasanna ward along with Priceless Gold who was put in top gear by Suraj. But Antony and Siege Perilous kept going, pegging back the game effort of Priceless Gold, while Ravishing Form dropped out of the winning equation in the final furlong. Did the front and freely running Ravishing Form fail due to a change in the pattern of his running or has Ravishing Form lost his cutting edge after two splendid and yet exacting efforts from his last two starts at Mysuru are the two questions which will be discussed at most coffee tables, but the fact is that the record-breaking champion colt at Mysuru deserves another chance and her trainer it is learnt is planning to test him out in the second classic of the Mumbai season. 

On a day only two favourites obliged, the well-backed Break The Silence from Vishesh's yard pulling off a successful coup in the opening event, the Grand Canyon Handicap run over a sprint and the on-money favourite Awakening cruising home in the concluding event, the Delage Handicap, followers of form lost out, outsiders continuing to merrily waltz to victory while the top fancies failed in their mission to justify their ranking and rating. 

Break The Silence partnered by Angad opened at (9/4) in the betting ring and quickly closed at (12/10), most big bettors laying big bets on the winner after the good word was out that the Vishesh ward was too good to miss out in this company. The winner without being unduly extended made his connections happy romping home in style and is set to provide an encore if her connections choose to enter her quickly considering the fact that the six-year-old mare is in top condition and more importantly, willing to produce her best. Rajputana gained the runner-up berth ahead of Epistoiary, while Haran completed the frame.

The Awakening from Deepesh Narredu's yard was considered a cinch in the Delage Handicap. Miserly offered at half-money, the Deepesh ward provided brother Yash Narredu an arm-chair ride to success bolting in to the delight of the Narredu camp. The winner is in fine nick and it will pay to again support The Awakening when saddled next in the higher category. Pirate's Love expectedly gained the runner-up berth ahead of the topweighted Off Shore Breeze, who caught the eye and is one for the note book. 

Sabatini from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard and the Suresh-trained Prince Purple were expected tp dominate the finish of the upper division of the Northern Dancer Handicap run over a sprint. But it didn't happen, the way the form book pointed out. Sabatini in the hands of top gun Trevor Patel won, but Prince Purple, who ended the overwhelming favourite finished in the ruck. The Suresh ward was strongly supported, while Sabatini was generously offered at (5/1) in the end,. Admiral Shaw finished a game second and it will not be long before this Sebastian ward will earn his corn bill. The moody MS Boss finished third ahead of Fabulous Show, who appears to be slowly, yet surely regaining the form required to make her presence felt in the weeks ahead. The lower division was claimed by the Anil Kumar schooled Proud who cantered home in the hands of Manikandan. 

Proud was quietly fancied by the insiders and the right connections and the proud winner owned by Cheriyan Abraham is set to record his second straight success, when next saddled. Dun It Again gained the runner-up berth, while Amber Lightning finished third ahead of the public rage Raisina.

Turf Melody from Deepesh's yard was fancied most in the Storm Again Handicap run over a mile despite the fact that the filly looked a trifle gross at the parade ring. and it was clear in the final furlong that the favourite lacked the gas in the tank to make a race of it and eventually finished down the field. The second in demand at the betting ring, Windermere confidently piloted by Shrikant Kamble produced a sparkling gallop in the final furlong to romp home a deserving winner ahead of Slainte, while Majestic Wind surprised most, gaining the third spot ahead of Angavai. 

Rhiannon was another long shot who entered the winners' circle. The Krishna trainee piloted by Inayat after being in the striking line for most part of the sprint trip, seized the initiative in the final furlong and gamely held on to stand tall at the podium. Celeritas finished second ahead of Butterfly while the favourite Striking Distance from Arun Kumar's yard much to the chagrin of his supporters shockingly finished last in the 11-horse field. It was clear that something had gone wrong with the public choice, but whatever it be it did cost punters dear.