Cielo Rey slams opposition in CM’s Trophy
Suleiman Attaollahi trained Cielo Rey who has not exactly been a model of consistency, bounced back to winning form while claiming the 2000 metres Chief Minister’s Trophy, a rich terms race for four-year olds and over, the main event of Saturday’s races. The race which serves as a lead up race for the Derby for many an aspirant had three of them in the fray but none enhanced their credentials including a supplementary entry for the premier event Airplay who incidentally was a strong fancy to win the event despite being thrown at the deep end. He did not look the part in the paddock parade.
Jockey Paul Mulrennan took Cielo Rey on a start to finish mission. The progeny of Burden of Proof’s best performance has come when he runs freely in front without pressure from other contestants. Braavo raced a few lengths behind followed by Ordained One, Airplay, Raptor Force, Spark of Gold, Youre So Beautiful and Classerville. Braavo threatened to end Cielo Rey’s foray in front but after raising hopes with 350 metres left in the race but he weakened. Youre So Beautiful who had come into contention from behind with a smooth run overhauled Braavo briefly but ran out of steam as Cielo Rey skipped away to win with a measure of comfort. Braavo fought back to snatch the runner up berth. Ordained One struggled to pick up speed and was a well beaten fourth. Airplay finished last.
Yet another of progeny of Midtown made a winning debut. I Specialist from Jaggy Dhariwal’s yards was showing out in the works and as expected, was well backed to oblige in the January Plate (Div II). Hillsboro put in a speedy effort to lead the fray as I Specialist was settled in mid group with the well-bred Nearness of You, raced in the rear group and struggled for pace in the early part. I Specialist came through the middle and grabbed the lead with a furlong out and held off the late rally made by Nearness of You who was finishing the fastest. While I Specialist was a deserving winner, Nearness of You should make rapid strides and establish her credentials as a youngster of immense potential.
Polaris and first timer Casanova disputed the favoritism in the upper division of the January Plate. These horses were a bit edgy while being loaded but in the race itself, the full brother to the well performed Captivating, Casanova bolted to the front from the word `go’ and bolted in well clear of a well beaten Polaris. Mountain Range put in a late dash to be a suggestive third.
Unleashed had let down a few times as a fancied runner but this time out, over the extended trip of mile in the K Rama Rao Memorial Cup, he was seen in different colors. Rip Van Winkle led the field on sufferance even as Silvester De Sousa had a hard time in restraining Unleashed in the third position. Crown Empress was well up with the leaders followed by the rest in close proximity. Rounding the final turn and with a quarter mile to go, De Sousa squeezed his way in the gap between the front runner and Crown Empress and bolted clear to record a smashing win. Crown Empress and Cavalry Charge fought out a stiff battle for the second slot, with the former just about nosing out his stablemate. This impressive win may see Unleashed being campaigned more ambitiously in his future assignments.
The withdrawal of Valahak from the fray paved the way for Montedoro’s encore in the R H Shaw Memorial Plate (Div I). There was inspired support for Citrali who had run a few lengths adrift when these two had clashed before. Jockey Rajesh could not settle Montedoro on an even keel as the favourite fell back to the last position. Jaldi had the first run on her opponents with Citrali offering a strong challenge but just as these two were settling the issue, came Montedoro with a lightening run from behind to go clear in a trice. Jaldi held off Citrali for the second spot. The lower division of the race too fell to another Irfan Ghatala trainee. Lad Fury’s last win was so impressive that it was difficult to look for any other horse to be a possible threat. Mystic Dawn, who had some old form to boost his credentials, came in for support but the one which attracted flood of money was Loknath’s One For The Money whose sustained support in the ring saw the odds expanding on Lad Fury. The favourite however had no problems in disposing of the opponents with ease. Dance For The Money managed to beat the challenge of Mystic Dawn for the second spot.
Wild Nexus, who had twice lost as a favourite, was third time lucky as he readily justified the exclusive support he had in the Splendid Rose Plate (Div I). Wild Nexus had no problem in staying clear of any threat posed by Sky Rider or the late rallying Sunset Grill who had a good airing. Jockey Appu had no problem in winning on Elusive Speed in the lower division of the race where the progeny of China Visit proved overwhelmingly superior to favourite Don Diego who was flat footed in the straight.
Prashastha obliged in the Kitty Bank Plate by effectively thwarting the challenge of favourite Super Spectacle. Sun Gold made a late dash to finish third.
Jockey Paul Mulrennan took Cielo Rey on a start to finish mission. The progeny of Burden of Proof’s best performance has come when he runs freely in front without pressure from other contestants. Braavo raced a few lengths behind followed by Ordained One, Airplay, Raptor Force, Spark of Gold, Youre So Beautiful and Classerville. Braavo threatened to end Cielo Rey’s foray in front but after raising hopes with 350 metres left in the race but he weakened. Youre So Beautiful who had come into contention from behind with a smooth run overhauled Braavo briefly but ran out of steam as Cielo Rey skipped away to win with a measure of comfort. Braavo fought back to snatch the runner up berth. Ordained One struggled to pick up speed and was a well beaten fourth. Airplay finished last.
Yet another of progeny of Midtown made a winning debut. I Specialist from Jaggy Dhariwal’s yards was showing out in the works and as expected, was well backed to oblige in the January Plate (Div II). Hillsboro put in a speedy effort to lead the fray as I Specialist was settled in mid group with the well-bred Nearness of You, raced in the rear group and struggled for pace in the early part. I Specialist came through the middle and grabbed the lead with a furlong out and held off the late rally made by Nearness of You who was finishing the fastest. While I Specialist was a deserving winner, Nearness of You should make rapid strides and establish her credentials as a youngster of immense potential.
Polaris and first timer Casanova disputed the favoritism in the upper division of the January Plate. These horses were a bit edgy while being loaded but in the race itself, the full brother to the well performed Captivating, Casanova bolted to the front from the word `go’ and bolted in well clear of a well beaten Polaris. Mountain Range put in a late dash to be a suggestive third.
Unleashed had let down a few times as a fancied runner but this time out, over the extended trip of mile in the K Rama Rao Memorial Cup, he was seen in different colors. Rip Van Winkle led the field on sufferance even as Silvester De Sousa had a hard time in restraining Unleashed in the third position. Crown Empress was well up with the leaders followed by the rest in close proximity. Rounding the final turn and with a quarter mile to go, De Sousa squeezed his way in the gap between the front runner and Crown Empress and bolted clear to record a smashing win. Crown Empress and Cavalry Charge fought out a stiff battle for the second slot, with the former just about nosing out his stablemate. This impressive win may see Unleashed being campaigned more ambitiously in his future assignments.
The withdrawal of Valahak from the fray paved the way for Montedoro’s encore in the R H Shaw Memorial Plate (Div I). There was inspired support for Citrali who had run a few lengths adrift when these two had clashed before. Jockey Rajesh could not settle Montedoro on an even keel as the favourite fell back to the last position. Jaldi had the first run on her opponents with Citrali offering a strong challenge but just as these two were settling the issue, came Montedoro with a lightening run from behind to go clear in a trice. Jaldi held off Citrali for the second spot. The lower division of the race too fell to another Irfan Ghatala trainee. Lad Fury’s last win was so impressive that it was difficult to look for any other horse to be a possible threat. Mystic Dawn, who had some old form to boost his credentials, came in for support but the one which attracted flood of money was Loknath’s One For The Money whose sustained support in the ring saw the odds expanding on Lad Fury. The favourite however had no problems in disposing of the opponents with ease. Dance For The Money managed to beat the challenge of Mystic Dawn for the second spot.
Wild Nexus, who had twice lost as a favourite, was third time lucky as he readily justified the exclusive support he had in the Splendid Rose Plate (Div I). Wild Nexus had no problem in staying clear of any threat posed by Sky Rider or the late rallying Sunset Grill who had a good airing. Jockey Appu had no problem in winning on Elusive Speed in the lower division of the race where the progeny of China Visit proved overwhelmingly superior to favourite Don Diego who was flat footed in the straight.
Prashastha obliged in the Kitty Bank Plate by effectively thwarting the challenge of favourite Super Spectacle. Sun Gold made a late dash to finish third.
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