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NARREDUS UNCORK CHAMPAGNE IN GUINDY

By Ikram Khan | 04 Feb 2023 | CHENNAI


Trainer Rajesh Narredu leading Touch Of Grey (Suraj Narredu Up), winner The Madras Gold Vase (Gr.3)

The Narredus enjoyed another good day at Guindy. Leading trainer Deepesh, who is snapping at the heels of Aniradhsingh Jodha, who is  heading the Champion Trainer list,and brother Yash, who is certain to emerge the top `Knight' this season combined successfully to win the first two events through the on-money favourite Planet Venus and the second in demand at the betting ring, Terminator and cousin Suraj Narredu, later joined the party booting home Fondness of You from brother Rajesh Narredu's yard and Touch Of Grey from the stables of daddy Satish Narredu.

On the strength of her facile win in her last essay, Planet Venus looked a cinch in the opening event, the Baroda Handicap run over a distance of 1100 metres. The half-money favourite hit the front the moment the eight runners came under the starter's flag and without really extending herself never let the initiative slip cantering home to register her second straight success. The in-form filly is in great heart and it will come as no surprise if she completes a hat-trick of wins when next saddled. The topweighted Pappa Rich followed the effortless winner home, while the advantageously placed at the scales, Sparkleberry managed to save money in place.

Astride the Terminator, Yash again chose to make every  post a winning one in the upper division of the Mr Prospector Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs and the champion saddle artiste accomplished his mission, the gutsy Terminator producing a winning gallop at the top of the straight to outwit his nine rivals including the favourite Safety from Sebastian's yard. The runner-up has failed to justify favouritism on more than four occasions in his seven attempts including three at the Blue Mountains and it will do her supporters a world of good if they ignore this filly from Sebastian's yard, who has proved to be a disaster from the punters point of view.

The lower division of the event was claimed by the lesser fancied Wisaka from Saddam Iqbal's yard. The six to one shot piloted by leading apprentice Farid Ansari produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to zoom past the public choice Turf Melody, who looked set to score before Wisaka stormed up to seize control and put the race to bed 100 metres from home. The topweighted Attenborough, who was strongly fancied in place finished third to the delight of his supporters, who confidently punted big in place. After she failed to display her true potential in her last start, Lady Cadet from Adhirajsingh Joidha's yard was given another chance to set the record straight. The followers of form again backed her to the exclusion of her nine rivals and this time in the hands of top pro Srinath `The Lady' proved her mettle powering home to justify her top billing. Last start winner Romualdo partnered by Kaviraj gained the runner-up berth ahead of Shez R Star, while Kings Walk performed below par.

The Bangalore raider  Fondness Of You started the favourite before money came pouring in on the local mainhope Asio from Deepesh Narredu's yard. But there was no denying the Bangalore boy from winning the Surite Million though Suraj needed to pull out all stops to peg back the gallant effort of the lesser fancied Soft Whisper piloted strongly by Sai Kumar. Asio finished third a length behind Soft Whisper.

Spurred by his success on Fondness Of You, Suraj produced a copybook effort on the on-money favourite A Touch Of Grey, who bolted in to record his second straight victory at this centre. Srinath guiding the fortunes of Time And Tide was expected to give the grey a run for his money in the Madras Gold Vase, but that didn't happen simply because Touch Of Grey proved himself to be a better class youngster. Multiwave finished third behind Time And Tide, while the Mysore challenger Land Of Gold failed to make the board.