Indiarace.com - india's first & foremost horse racing portal

Rock It Performs an Encore in Style

By Parjanya | 10 Mar 2011 | DELHI


-

Cashing-in on the advantage of a mediocre set, Rock It proved to be too good while annexing the Major Pradeep Kumar Mehra Memorial Cup, which was earmarked for the Class II horses and was the main event at the Delhi races on Thursday. Jockey R Parmod and trainer HA Khan shared a brace each. Rock It, who had registered a narrow victory on a tight rein in the last essay, once again found the field at his mercy. Barring Blue Lagoon, none of the other contenders had the form to stake a claim. Allowing Oyster Blue to establish a huge lead brought some anxious moments for Rock It initially.

But the former started huffing and puffing soon entering into the straight of the mile trip. Ranjeet didn’t make the mistake of easing Rock It down this time out and continued stretching out the son of Ontario and Dominique till he crossed the wire with a degree of comfort. He may further extend his winning streak. Blue Lagoon, who was seen finishing on fast from the mid-group, headed Oyster Blue out for the runner-up berth. Freshened up with a race gallop he had taken 48 hours ago, Abdullah demolished the youngsters with disregard while cantering away on the bit in the day's opener Sunny Blossom Plate. The colt of Itaquere Power and College Princess, who enabled the saddler Sartaj Singh to earn his corn bill, has the staying stamina.

A heavily backed Sunset Vine shied, veered in and dislodged Shadab before the red marker. HA Khan's Theodoros (Juniper-Midsummer Romance) scored an easy victory in the Steinbeck Plate. Apprentice Sandeep Rajput appeared to be overconfident by not pushing the mount till the distance post even though he was sensing danger from the horses running close to him. Syed Mazhar Abbas's trainee Fanaa (Concordial-Miss Discreet) eventually met with success after a gap of couple of seasons. Benedictus, who finished second, should make amends. Deepak Kalra's ward Genius Boy (Kly Green-Island Mist) foiled the start-to-finish bid of Spot Hit, who was observed to have been shied away passing 300m marker, by a neck. Parmod, who guided Genius Boy, earned his double through Indian Bride's maiden win.