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FORSETI POWERS HOME IN SI 2000 GUINEAS

By Ikram Khan | 29 Dec 2022 | CHENNAI


Trainer Prasanna Kumar leading Forseti (PS Chouhan Up), winner of The South India 2000 Guineas (Gr.2)

The Bangalore raider Forseti from the stables of champion trainer Prasanna Kumar, brilliantly piloted by leading pro Pradeep Chouhan emerged the best of his age and sex, winning the second classic of the season, the South India 2000 Guineas in resplendent style. Top saddle artiste Srinath was listed to guide the fortunes of Forseti, but following his absence, the connections of Forseti roped in Chouhan and the veteran produced an exemplary effort while providing an object lesson to the young hopefuls gearing up to don silks and gallop to fame in the years ahead.
After playing the waiting game for most part of the mile long classic trip, Chouhan setalight the second in demand at the betting ring Forseti at the top of the straight and the vastly improved contestant quickly assumed command and gallantly pegged back the favourite Ashwa Magadheera to wear the champion colt sash. Ashwa Magadheera, who garnered the maximum support in the classic event after the Dhruv Futnani schooled Still I Rise opted out, in defeat was not disgraced and lives to fight another day.  The Sebastian-trained Supreme Dance, who set a decent pace in his attempt to outwit his dozen rivals hung on gamely to take the third spot ahead of the James McKeown-trained Albinus, while five of the other Bangalore challengers failed to make an impression in this classic test.
All credit to Prasanna Kumar, the top pro sent out Forseti in top shape and the classy son of Top Class made his master and sporting owner Rajan Aggarwal proud, producing his best when it mattered most to storm into the elite classic test. "I was confident that Forseti would emerge champ and I'm happy he justified my confidence while producing his best effort so far in his career," said a delighted Prasanna.

Advantageously placed in at the scales, Beejay from trainer Adhiraj Singh Jodha's yard made every post a winning one in the principal added attraction, the Chief Justice Trophy run over a sprint. Despite the fact that Beejay was in receipt of 10 kilos from the in-form The Awakening in line for a hat-trick, the Deepesh Narredu trainee piloted by brother Yash was the top public choice, but the on-money favourite failed in his mission to give a big chunk of weight and a beating to Beejay, who cantered home to the delight of his supporters. Pense'e partnered by Hindu Singh gained the runner-up, while The Awakening had to rest content with the third spot.

Another Bangalore challenger Touch Of Grey from Satish Narredu's yard, who had finished second behind the goodtype of youngster, In Thy Light from Prasanna Kumar's yard in his debut at his parent-centre was fancied most in the Christmas Cup run over a sprint. The grey colt in the hands of Vinod Shinde produced his best to shed his maiden status in style, comfortably beating the nohoper Something Royal while the last start winner Moriset from B Suresh's yard piloted by top gun Akshay Kumar managed to save money in place. Glorious King from Deepesh Narredu's yard in his debut struggled to keep pace all through the sprint trip and this juvenile will take a while before he learns to race with the pace in the months ahead.

The well fancied Rubirosa from James Mckeown's yard proved too good in the P M Antony Memorial Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner confidently piloted by Hindu Singh shot ahead at the top of the straight and easily snuffed out the belated effort of the runner-up Empress Eternal partnered by promising apprentice Sah Farid Ansari. The ten to one shot Lakshanam did well to finish third ahead of Sabatini, while Mystical Rose, another fancied runner from Deepesh Narredu's yard bit the dust on a day Yash drew a blank from his five rides. Rubirosa on the strength of this emphatic victory is certain to provide an encore when saddled next and it will also pay to follow Empress Eternal if her connections choose to quickly enter her in the weeks ahead.

Right Move brought the smile back on the face of trainer Dr Anil Kumar after the strongly fancied Musanda failed to register his second straight success. Right Move in fact brought off a successful gamble, producing his best in the hands of apprentice M S Deora who recorded a double. The winner at the all-important end dug deep into his reserves and pulled out the final clinching stride to edge out the five to one shot Chaitanya partnered by apprentice B Darshan in the Rotary ECR Charter President's Cup run over a mile.  The apprentice after failing to gain the nod in a thriller again tried to win the race in the stewards room, lodging an objection against the winner for bumping and taking him out 600 metres from home. Though it was a valid objection, the stipes and stewards rightly chose to overrule the protest, pointing out that the winner had not bumped Chaitanya.

Earlier, the lesser fancied Magical Wave from Mandanna's yard  came up tops in the opening event, the Venice Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner provided Akshay Kumar an arm-chair ride to success, bolting in by a widening margin of six lengths. Lady Zeen piloted by Imran Chisty gained the runner-up spot ahead of Three Of A Kind, while the strongly supported Fast Play jolted the followers of form failing to make the board after his connections boldly spread the word that he will have it easy in the lowest class.

After the big setback in the opening event, the punters quickly recouped their losses in the next, the lower division of the Prince Khartoum Handicap, the Robert Foley schooled Timeless Romance producing a good turn of foot in the final furlong to justify her top ranking in the hands of apprentice Sah Farid Ansari. The apprentice did well to stay cool and keep his composure when challenged by Akshay Kumar astride Sinatra who finished a game second ahead of Glorious Legend. The friendless Wonder Blaze from Ajith Kumar's yard dropped the biggest bombshell in the upper division of the event, sending out the short-priced `Jodi' favourite Musanda and the second choice Zucardi out of the window. The winner paid a rich dividend of Rs 455 on a tenner at the Bengaluru tote window.