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Full Speed halts Southern Regent

By Sharan Kumar | 29 May 2005 | BANGALORE


Full Speed (Silva Storai up), winner of the Karnataka Cup (Gr.3) being led in by trainer Mr. Irfan Ghatala, owners Mr. D.P.Dinesh, Mr. D.Shailesh Shivswamy & Mr. K.Ramesh

Full Speed had everything going for him in the Gr.3 Karnataka Cup and the son of Burden of Proof readily won from Southern Regent in a close finish on Sunday. It was always on the cards that Southern Regent, the Indian Derby winner whose exploits have been over staying trips, would find the mile long trip sharp and Full Speed, being a brilliant miler, would prevail if given a quality ride. Silva did not falter and Full Speed who shot through an opening along the rails which fortunately did not close, managed to keep a strongly challenging Southern Regent at a safe distance. Formal Invitation came from way behind to edge out King of Hearts for the third spot. Full Speed should have run as a favourite not because of the distance asked to cover by the competitors but also because he went into the race with the benefit of a mock race. Full Speed definitely stood out in the paddock parade whereas Southern Regent appeared to be in need of a run. Ministrel Heights did the pace-making which he has been condemned to do right through his career, with Staranzano, King of Hearts, Full Speed, Only For Gold, Southern Regent, Formal Invitation and Star of Windsor racing in close proximity. Rounding the final bend, King of Hearts loomed up even as Silva was maneuvering her way through the rails and Southern Regent was taking time to pick up speed. Full Speed surged ahead of King of Hearts after a brief tussle and had the race under control even though Southern Regent threatened his supremacy for a brief second. Full Speed spared three-parts of a length at the finish to the runner up. A little less than five lengths behind was Formal Invitation and King of Hearts. Trainer Vijay Singh has a classic type of a filly in Romantic Liaison. The daughter of Razeen gave weight to most of her adversaries and a beating in taking style to win the 1600 metres Abdul Wajid Memorial Plate. Though Romantic Liaison did not exactly stand out in the paddock parade, her run belied the looks. After racing in the third or fourth position, jockey Alford pushed Romantic Liaison to take charge on turning for home. The daughter of Razeen quickly picked up momentum and had the race sewn up long way from home. The Peak took time to get into his stride and was full of running at the finish ahead of surprise performer Ministry of Sound. Scottsville, who was expected to figure at the finish, was a beaten cause well before the race was on the boil. Five-year old mare Rivendell has always been a let down and the volume of betting that she attracted in the ring was disproportionate to her ability. In the event, the punters were made to rue their decision as the well-performed Connaught Square hammered the opposition to win in great style. Rivendell who tracked early leader Faustino into the straight packed up under pressure. Synopsis moved from behind to snatch the runner up berth from Faustino who was out for a lung opener. Keep an eye on Faustino who should strike before long. Amazing Forest was ignored in the betting ring in the Baraloy Plate (Div I), with the public supporting Siroco. Top weighted Smart Vision who had collared Aquilo at Mumbai had the credentials but with jockey M R Singh declared to ride, the gelding was definitely not a serious contender. In the event, Amazing Forest who collared the front-running Thousand Stars inside the final furlong went away for a comfortable win over Sporty and Amazing Ability. Smart Vision dragged himself into limelight. Siroco was a poor fifth. Srinath found himself on two the heavily supported losers. Mumbai challenger Amanat was backed to the exclusion of her rivals but the filly who fought for her head throughout was a beaten cause when she took the final bend and disappeared without a trace. Samarrah found foot quickly when asked for an effort and retired home a facile winner over Carigielaw and Hold That Tiger. The last named should strip fit after this run. Miss Beautiful who had run a fantastic mock race in exalted company, duly justified the expectations in the Mamma’s Mink Plate, a mile long race for horses rated 10 to 25. Miss Beautiful who carried so much class for the meek opposition that she was taken to the front by Silva after the field settled down and without raising any sweat, the five-year old mare checked in 10 lengths clear of the rest to provide trainer Irfan Ghatala, a double for the day. Top Cat, Storm Hawk and Great Seal plodded home far behind. In the day’s other action, jockey Prakash had an arm-chair ride to victory on Supreme Princess.