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Parthenon lucky winner

By Sharan Kumar | 25 Jun 2005 | BANGALORE


Parthenon (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Karnataka Sub-Area Cup being led in by trainer Mr.Byramji & owner Mr.Atul N.Amersey

Quite often, races are not always won by the best horse in the fray. Parthenon’s victory in the 1400 metres Karnataka Sub-Area Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, the feature event of Saturday’s races, was one such instance. Parthenon made a profitable start to finish dash to victory but if Mallesh Narredu had been as aggressive as he is known to be, Berlioz would have romped home. It was the collective effort of jockey Suraj Narredu on Parthenon and Mallesh on Berlioz that ensured Queen of Fashion’s defeat. The four-year old filly, who could have been a decisive winner, was completely shut off for an opening, having no where to run and forced to drop out of the race. Parthenon was lucky to survive an objection only because Queen of Fashion had finished third. Parthenon, who won twice during the winter season, was the firm favourite to win as he came out well in the scales. Returning to the track after a longish holiday at the Nanoli Stud Farm, Berlioz appeared to be short on preparation while the unlucky Queen of Fashion was ideally suited to win. Suraj took Parthenon to the front from the word 'go', with Berlioz in close attendance while Queen of Fashion was settled in third position. Jockey Imran Chisty made a fatal error when he chose the gap along the rails instead of circling the front-runners because, tactically, the ones in front were bound to prevent him from having an easy passage. There was enough space for Chisty to go through but Parthenon drifted in and Mallesh came to his nephew’s rescue by forcing the favourite to shift in further which completely choked Queen of Fashion. Chisty’s objection against both Suraj and Mallesh was thrown out because the former got the benefit as the runner up appeared to have caused the favourite drift to the rails. Suraj kept the race but was fined Rs.3,000 for not keeping a straight course. Mallesh seems to have lost some of his sparkle as age has caught up with him going by his finish which was quite unlike him. Imtiaz Sait trained Hugo made a winning debut in Bangalore while annexing the B.R. Ram Memorial Plate (Div.I) in fine fashion. The highly rated challenger from Mumbai was the betting rage and though he had to cover considerable leeway in the straight, the son of Greensmith achieved it in splendid fashion. Estrella finished second best ahead of Black Berry. Smart N Unique won the lower division quite comprehensively from a late-finishing Lenavi and India Shining. Favourite Cascabel who looked poor in the paddock, packed up liked a pricked balloon at the top of the straight to finish dismally. Langley Wood, who had been given a questionable ride by Suraj Narredu on the last occasion, toyed with the opposition in the hands of jockey Appu in the Richelieu Plate (Div I). Langley Wood cantered into a prominent position and left the field for dead, with Allegary chasing without any chance. There was a big upset in the lower division as Nityanand trained Maple Fondant relished the extended trip of seven furlongs to win in a three-horse finish from Sense of Style and Rajadesing, both of them being the medium of a big touch. There was big support for Byramji’s On The Trail but the favourite picked up momentum after the cause had been lost. Witch Doctor went on a start to finish mission, with War Head ranging alongside. Jockey Srinath was cramped on the inside by Mallesh on War Head and his tactics ensured that the latter prevailed in a close finish. Two of Ganapathy’s horses were withdrawn from the fray in the New Market Plate and both happened to be firm favourites and this raised many an eyebrow as to the reason for their absence from the race. Both were reported lame. Touch of Realism made good the absence of Royal Recreation to land a big touch in the upper division of the race while in the lower division, Melody Power managed to win despite shifting out almost to the edge of the grass track.