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Associator Posts a New Course Record

By Pearcey | 13 Aug 2009 | MYSORE


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The Mysore Main Season started on Thursday with a compact card of seven events framed for the afternoon. With only a handful of horses making the effort to travel from Bangalore, the card was filled with those who had participated in the mini season held in the last couple of months. Robert Foley, who has brought a powerful string from Ooty, contributed three runners to the day's programme. The H H Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup was slated as the day's feature. This sprint race for horses in Class I attracted a good field of ten acceptors. These included Lionheart and Aurelian from Bangalore, while Associator carried the hopes of the Foley stable. Associator was installed as a firm favourite in this race. He had signed off the previous season with an eight length victory in the lower class. Apart from being the youngest horse in this bunch, he also looked the fittest. His smart track work coupled with his looks in the paddock enthused many to go nap on him. Aurelian and Lionheart cornered some stray support while the local horses were totally ignored in the betting ring. Prakash and Associator took a smart jump from the outer-most draw and soon drew level with the speedy Aurelian, who had shown the way for the first couple of furlongs. Lionheart,Enchanting Girl and Kalpavruksha raced in that order till the heads turned for home. Aurelian had no answers to the strong acceleration shown by the favourite in the straight. Associator came alongside and sauntered away for an easy victory. In the process, he shaved off a chunk from the seven year old course record held by Days Of Glory. The heavily whipped Aurelian managed to retain the second prize ahead of Lionheart. The last named carried a back-breaking 65 kilos to end a respectable third. The other runners looked jaded while finishing a distance behind the first three. Prakash followed this up with another smart win astride Star Adventure. The filly had posted a couple of victories earlier this year in Western India before reaching Mysore via Ooty. Foley had produced her in immaculate condition, and she ran according to the stable's expectations. She tracked second favourite Ohiyesa till the bend before assuming command of the situation. It ceased to be a contest thereafter, as Prakash chose to put away his stick on the favourite. He rode hands and heels while steering her past a tired Ohiyesa. The runner up was gallant in defeat , as it was the first time this three year old was beaten on a race track. He had won in all his three starts this year, and had been heavily penalized by the handicapper. Ohiyesa found himself rated at 80 within three months of starting his racing career. The three year old may soon move to Bangalore to continue earning his corn bills. The other notable performance of the day came from the young and energetic Gaurav Sapra. He rode a pair of winners for the Darashah family. It started with Neil's Ecuador. Smart N Special was fancied ahead of Ecuador in this race, but was withdrawn on Thursday morning. This cleared the way for Ecuador, who was backed down to even money favouritism. Gaurav settled him at the back for most of the way before making his move on the wide outside. The horse literally flew away from his rivals to win by a widening margin. Sugar Brown,I Wanna Fly and Heroism finished close to each other while taking the minor placings. His win astride Master Prospect was more exciting. Foley's Birthday Star was slammed off the betting boards and started as an 80/100 favourite in the race. Manickandan was riding this fancied runner. Gaurav took a smart jump and occupied the box seat behind no-hoper High Tower as the runners made their way into the straight. He produced Master Prospect on the centre of the track and asked him to quicken. His mount responded immediately and darted forward. The duo opened a nice lead in the final furlong, and this helped them in keeping Brothers In Arms and Birthday Star at bay.The favourite was sluggish throughout this trip, and the jockey had a tough time in coaxing him. He shall strip fitter after today's run, and must be strongly supported in his next start. Another Bangalore based horse won the last race of the day.Sharat Kumar's Showhorse overcame numerous traffic problems on his way to victory. He was badly hindered by his extreme outside draw, and lost precious ground in the early stages of the race.Afsar Khan chose to race him on the inner rails, and waited for an opening in the straight. The jockey was fortunate to get an opportunity, and the horse was good enough to seize it. Showhorse got stronger at the finish and collared Hail Mikhail close home. Green Passion made a fine impression while ending a close third. This nine year old may win a similar event in the coming weeks. The day started with two races for horses in the lowest class. Rakesh's Everlasting Joy won the day's opener with a pillar to post victory over a metric mile. None of his opponents seemed to be interested in challenging him. Rank outsiders Son Of Brenhines and Wolf filled the rest of the frame. The next race witnessed unfancied Prince Of Argyle lasting out to win a close affair from Raging River and Turbanator.Turbanator was backed with confidence, but the poor handling of jockey P Ramesh cost a lot of money to his supporters. The horse travelled five horses wide for most of the way, was unbalanced at the bend and finished only a length behind the winner. A better rider in the saddle may have seen a different result.