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YUKAN COMPLETES FINE HAT-TRICK

By Ikram Khan | 09 Dec 2022 | BANGALORE


Trainer S S Attaollahi leading Yukan (P Trevor Up), winner of The V Venugopal Naidu Memorial Trophy

On a chilly, windy day following the cyclone Mandous which hit Tamil Nadu resulting in steady drizzle in the city, the followers of Trevor Patel made good money, the top gun recording a grand treble including a five to one shot Super Kind after booting home the two well fancied favourites Sociable and Yukan, who completed a hat-trick of wins in his maiden start this winter after his two successive efforts in his last two starts in summer.

Trevor first struck through the public choice Sociable from Irfan Ghatala's yard in the lower division of the Krishna Raja Sagara Plate run over a sprint. The even-money favourite, who had garnered the maximum support on the strength of her impressive performances in the morning trials, justified the confidence of most track reporters, who had nominated the talented filly as one good bet and the debutant without really needing to work up a sweat cantered home, sending out a strong message that she will be a force to reckon with even in higher category. Step To Destiny partnered by apprentice Likith Appu, who recorded a fine treble last week followed the winner, while the topweighted Chul Bul Rani, who was sweetly fancied in place by her connections finished third to the delight of the Md Khan camp.

Astride Yukan from Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard, who topped the betting board in company with the Satish Narredu schooled Eternal Princess in the V Venugopal Naidu Memorial Trophy, Trevor chose to play the waiting game, while Suraj Narredu guiding the fortunes of Eternal Princess attempted a pillar to post approach. Suraj on the speedy `Princess' called the shots approaching the final furlong before Trevor setalight the in-form Yukan and the Sulaiman ward produced a good turn of foot to zip past Eternal Princess and quickly put the race to bed in the final furlong. The Neil Devaney-trained Green Channel, who graced the wrong end of the field for most part of the sprint trip covered acres of ground in the straight to finish a good third and is one for the notebook.

In line for a treble on the public rage Dragon's Gold shouldering a back-breaking weight of 62 kilos in the Tungabhadra Plate, Trevor struggled with the half-money favourite all through the mile long trip and eventually finished in the ruck. Dragon's Gold much to the disappointment of all the favourite punters failed in his mission to even display a positive intent in the contest, leave alone winning it. The 15 to one long shot Eco Friendly from Sharath Kumar's yard in the hands of Sai Kiran powered home to gain the verdict at the shadow of the winning post from Sea Blush and rankoutsider Augusto in a humdinger.

In line again to get the `trick' right, Trevor decided to hit the front and make every post a winning one on the five to one shot Super Kind from trainer Pradeep Annaiah's yard in the upper division of the Krishna Raja Sagara Plate run over a sprint and he was successful, Super Kind a smart last start winner in summer kicking on gamely to peg back the strongly supported favourite Montelena piloted by Likith. Smile Around  finished third ahead of Castaneda, while Kings Speech, who was touted a good win and place proposition, much to the chagrin of his large following failed to make the board.

The Prasanna Kumar schooled Ripple And Storm opened the favourite in the concluding event, the Valley Of Flowers Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs before money came pouring in on the Devaney-trained Twilight Tornado, who had made a favourable impression in his last essay on the second day of the season, finishing third behind the winner Pinnacle Point and the runner-up Kings Speech. Kulsum from Irfan Ghatala's yard too was fancied quietly by the insiders and the right connections and a good number of ear to the ground smart operators pinned their hopes on the other Prasanna Kumar ward Roman Power. Well in what at end was a very open race, Kulsum partnered by apprentice Rozario reigned supreme easily outclassing Ripple And Storm who finally closed the favourite. Twilight Tornado managed to save money in place, finishing third while Roman Power was never in the hunt.

Prasanna Kumar, earlier won the juvenile event, the Splendid Role Plate through the seven to one shot In Thy Light piloted by leading pro Akshay Kumar. In both the youngsters events early in the season, the Prasanna winners were up against strongly fancied favourites. Last week, Knotty Charmer beat the hotly tipped Anzac Pipernal from Dominic's yard and on Friday In Thy Light proved too good for the overwhelming favourite Touch Of Grey.

Bimaran Casket from Azhar Ali's yard proved too good for her seven rivals in the opening event, the Mahanadi Plate run over a sprint.The winner piloted by Babulal :Paswan is in fine nick and is set to provide an encore. Cash Out gained the runner-up berth ahead of Baba Voss, while Speed Seven completed the frame.