Optimus Prime blitzes the field
Arjun Mangalorkar trained Optimus Prime confirmed his status as an eminent sprinter at this centre with an authoritative decimation of the field in the 1200 metres Stewards Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday’s races. Barring an odd race, all the races in the eight event card saw one sided contests as fancied runners faced timid opposition.
The Dashmesh Stud Farm produce had his share of problems which had seen Optimus Prime race just three times in the last two seasons. After a lung opener early in the season, Optimus Prime had smashed the opposition and was expected to keep his winning spree. However, the opposition he was taking in the Stewards Cup had many accomplished runners in the fray with Carla who had recorded a very impressive win being the overwhelming favourite. Carla has never been a model of consistency and to compound her problems, she also bled which hurt her chances and the hopes of those who had pinned their faith in this horse from trainer Suleiman Attaollahi.
Clear Mandate set a fast pace as the starter dispatched the field for the six furlong race followed by Superb Style, Miss ruby and Lady Duff in the front bunch. Carla never got off to a start expected of her. Optimus Prime who relishes a strong pace and likes to come from behind was in about the eighth or ninth position along the rails. Clear Mandate brought the field into view but Optimus Prime who was angled out of the rails to get a clear run with a furlong out, devoured ground and in a trice had gone clear and won pulling by a widening margin of five lengths in a smart time of one minute 12.79 seconds. The progeny of Valid Concept, who missed a nomination to Sprinters Cup by virtue of the fact that he did not have enough runs to merit consideration, has nevertheless proved his mettle and should be on the boil during the summer season where the terms of the race will suit him. Clear Mandate ran on to finish second ahead of Lady Duff while the rest were outclassed.
Arjun Mangalorkar was in the limelight with a treble as he had other winners through Sky Train and Sky Marshall. Sky Train which was at unbackable odds to win the 1200 metres Hoysala Cup, missed the kick, ran into a spot of bother before getting a clear run inside the final furlong. The progeny of China Visit picked up speed to leave the field stranded in the final stages of the race. Ice Mint edged out Abnoba for the runner up berth.
Arjun’s other win had come through Sky Marshal who won the day’s opener, the 1400 metres Anekal Plate from late rallying Windsor Park t nourishing odds. North Cape was backed down spiritedly to win ahead of Shahizaar but both these horses ran disappointing races. Sky Marshal led all the way and was lucky to win as Windsor Park ran into traffic problems in the straight. By the time Arshad Asbar was able to get a clear run along the rails, Sky Marshal had opened up a big lead which held him in good stead as Windsor Park came home with a big rush only to see the winning post coming too soon for comfort.
Two big gambles for landed during the course of the day. The Hazara Stud Farm bred Bourne Supreme who was running for the first time after being gelded, was entrusted in R Koch who wins once in a blue moon and it was no coincidence that it was a full moon day! There was a rush of money on Bourne Supreme who was backed down from a higher quote to just over evens. Bourne Supreme left the field stranded to win as he pleased by a widening margin of six lengths over ante post favourite Caraway to lift the Agumbe Plate (Div II), a race for maiden three year olds in great style. The upper division of the race was won by Amit Cady trained Colour of Money who proved too superior with an end to end effort in the hands of jockey V R De Sousa. Hillstone made a late rally to snatch the runner up berth from No Doubt.
Pradeep Annaiah’s Youre Chilubuli was backed down despite T Bernard being astride in the Makalidurga Plate (Div II). The optimism was not misplaced as the favourite showed his true prowess by winning by a big margin of over eight lengths, giving the jockey the liberty of looking back repeatedly and easing the horse long way from home. Man Down Under showed some interest while finishing second with a belated run. Amit Cady’s Price To Fame was at cramped odds in the lower division of the race and the favourite had no problem in keeping the challenge of Nectar Crown at bay.
Darius Byramji’s Alexander Helios was well backed to find his winning form in the Magadi Plate, a mile long race for horses rated 20 to 45. Gallagher had to drive out Alexander Helios to contain the challenge of front running stablemate Plaka in the closing strides of the race. Brave Cat made an earnest effort long after the cause had been lost to finish an eye-catching third. Sun Doro was not far behind.
The Dashmesh Stud Farm produce had his share of problems which had seen Optimus Prime race just three times in the last two seasons. After a lung opener early in the season, Optimus Prime had smashed the opposition and was expected to keep his winning spree. However, the opposition he was taking in the Stewards Cup had many accomplished runners in the fray with Carla who had recorded a very impressive win being the overwhelming favourite. Carla has never been a model of consistency and to compound her problems, she also bled which hurt her chances and the hopes of those who had pinned their faith in this horse from trainer Suleiman Attaollahi.
Clear Mandate set a fast pace as the starter dispatched the field for the six furlong race followed by Superb Style, Miss ruby and Lady Duff in the front bunch. Carla never got off to a start expected of her. Optimus Prime who relishes a strong pace and likes to come from behind was in about the eighth or ninth position along the rails. Clear Mandate brought the field into view but Optimus Prime who was angled out of the rails to get a clear run with a furlong out, devoured ground and in a trice had gone clear and won pulling by a widening margin of five lengths in a smart time of one minute 12.79 seconds. The progeny of Valid Concept, who missed a nomination to Sprinters Cup by virtue of the fact that he did not have enough runs to merit consideration, has nevertheless proved his mettle and should be on the boil during the summer season where the terms of the race will suit him. Clear Mandate ran on to finish second ahead of Lady Duff while the rest were outclassed.
Arjun Mangalorkar was in the limelight with a treble as he had other winners through Sky Train and Sky Marshall. Sky Train which was at unbackable odds to win the 1200 metres Hoysala Cup, missed the kick, ran into a spot of bother before getting a clear run inside the final furlong. The progeny of China Visit picked up speed to leave the field stranded in the final stages of the race. Ice Mint edged out Abnoba for the runner up berth.
Arjun’s other win had come through Sky Marshal who won the day’s opener, the 1400 metres Anekal Plate from late rallying Windsor Park t nourishing odds. North Cape was backed down spiritedly to win ahead of Shahizaar but both these horses ran disappointing races. Sky Marshal led all the way and was lucky to win as Windsor Park ran into traffic problems in the straight. By the time Arshad Asbar was able to get a clear run along the rails, Sky Marshal had opened up a big lead which held him in good stead as Windsor Park came home with a big rush only to see the winning post coming too soon for comfort.
Two big gambles for landed during the course of the day. The Hazara Stud Farm bred Bourne Supreme who was running for the first time after being gelded, was entrusted in R Koch who wins once in a blue moon and it was no coincidence that it was a full moon day! There was a rush of money on Bourne Supreme who was backed down from a higher quote to just over evens. Bourne Supreme left the field stranded to win as he pleased by a widening margin of six lengths over ante post favourite Caraway to lift the Agumbe Plate (Div II), a race for maiden three year olds in great style. The upper division of the race was won by Amit Cady trained Colour of Money who proved too superior with an end to end effort in the hands of jockey V R De Sousa. Hillstone made a late rally to snatch the runner up berth from No Doubt.
Pradeep Annaiah’s Youre Chilubuli was backed down despite T Bernard being astride in the Makalidurga Plate (Div II). The optimism was not misplaced as the favourite showed his true prowess by winning by a big margin of over eight lengths, giving the jockey the liberty of looking back repeatedly and easing the horse long way from home. Man Down Under showed some interest while finishing second with a belated run. Amit Cady’s Price To Fame was at cramped odds in the lower division of the race and the favourite had no problem in keeping the challenge of Nectar Crown at bay.
Darius Byramji’s Alexander Helios was well backed to find his winning form in the Magadi Plate, a mile long race for horses rated 20 to 45. Gallagher had to drive out Alexander Helios to contain the challenge of front running stablemate Plaka in the closing strides of the race. Brave Cat made an earnest effort long after the cause had been lost to finish an eye-catching third. Sun Doro was not far behind.
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