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Raider's Sun Spreadeagles The Opposition

By Pearcey | 10 May 2009 | MYSORE


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Horses that had raced during the recently concluded Bangalore Winter Season, and were subsequently relocated to Mysore, dominated the seven event card framed for Saturday's racing at this center. They had the distinct advantage of having raced in recent times, as against local horses, who were appearing on a race track after more than six months. Their level of fitness proved to be definitely superior when War Head, Raider's Sun and Hawaiian Sunrise romped home in their respective events. All three of them won with a measure of comfort and can repeat again in the near future. The J K Van Ingen Memorial Gold Cup featured the day's card. Vishal Yadav's War Head ,who had been running some forward races during winter was backed to the exclusion of his rivals.He was running over his favourite trip of seven furlongs, and was being partnered by Gnaneshwar. After permitting Southerner and Tantrik to lead them into the straight, Gnaneshwar chose to make a run through the middle. War Head seemed to be blocked for room before he got an opening. He shot through the pack and registered an emphatic victory. Greek Ship was the best of the rest, and finished a clear second ahead of Tantrik and Southerner. The runner-up should win a race before long, while Tantrik should be supported over a shorter trip. Tejaswi's Raider's Sun was the most impressive winner of the day. He was given eight runs during winter, and had been steadily brought down in handicap. He had figured on the board in the last three starts , and was clearly superior to his opponents on Saturday. The connections decided to confuse the issue by declaring rookie Shanth Kumar to ride him. He is a very ordinary jockey with a poor strike rate. It is rare to see him in the winner's enclosure. Raider's Sun was easily backable at 4/1 before a late rush of money saw him starting as the 5/2 joint favourite with All Round. Raider's Sun took a good jump and went to the front. Shanth Kumar was a mere spectator thereafter, as the horse kept increasing his lead till the very end. He clocked-in almost a distance clear of his rivals. All Round got up in the closing stages to get the better of Full Speed and finished second. The winner justified the supreme confidence of his trainer today, and is likely to win again for the asking. The third one to impress was Hawaiian Sunrise. She was back to her winning mark and the speedy mare was expected to be too fast for her rivals. John rode an uncharacteristic race on her, as he held her back till the bend and drove her thereafter for eventual speed. Hawaiian Sunrise responded gamely and had little trouble in keeping Anoosheek at bay. Australis finished an unexpected third. Trainer Rakesh was the lone professional to score a double. Enchanting Girl and Magical Spirit were easy winners during the afternoon. Enchanting Girl joined Rakesh's yard last year and started her career with him in Class III. After three wins in one year, she was making her debut in Class I. Rakesh decided to ease her burden by declaring an apprentice to ride her. The three kilos claimed by Gautam Raj seemed to work wonders, as Enchanting Girl made all the running over a sprint, and won unextended from Our Little Savage and Snap Dragon. The last named was backed with confidence by her supporters, but she found the pace too hot to handle. Magical Spirit came from way off the pace, and swept past Toofan Mail in the straight to register her first win in a long time.She seemed to relish the mile long trip. Well supported Jericho was a poor second while Cartouche plodded into third place. Cartouche seems to have lost his old form and should be left alone from a betting perspective. Toofan Mail should soon win over a shorter trip. The first two races in the afternoon's card were reserved for horses in the lowest class. Dinesh Pujar's stable carried on their good work of Friday by sending out the winner in the day's opener. Fast Colours was well handled by apprentice Md Shoaib, and was driven relentlessly to down the colours of favourite Arisia near the winning post. The rest of the runners were totally outclassed. The next race was won by a first timer from Monappa's yard. An unraced four year old called Cilantro was entrusted to apprentice Madhu Babu. She garnered stray support because of her age and breeding. Cilantro raced in fifth place till the bend, before she was asked for her final effort. The response was brilliant, as she lengthened her strides and swept the others off their feet. Cilantro is bound to win again in this season. Front runner Karumba retained the second place, while Don Vinton was an easy third.