Blitz Craig lives up to his rating

HYDERABAD

TRAINER DONALD Netto's sensational run continued when his in-form stable rifled in another four timer. Associated with this success was jockey K. Ganesh who is riding with great confidence and style. Both these professionals are on the top of their respective tables. Netto lifted both the cups on offer with Blitz Craig and Oh My. The other two that were saddled were Moment of Power and Dolly Parton.

The piping hot favourite from Netto's yard Blitz Craig convincingly claimed the main event, the Air Command Cup, a terms race over 1600m for the higher bracketed horses. Except Nicodamus and Flying Monarch who had their lung openers on the first day, others were just flexing their muscles. Netto had Blitz Craig on a steady preparation plan to start the new season on a successful note for his sporting owners Mr. and Mrs. Mir Bande Ali Khan and Mir Mushraf Ali Khan.

On the strength of his high rating, Blitz Craig was a cut above the rest. The only other runner to extend his lung power and muscles was Bette Noir. This filly who took control from the start made things pretty hot for Netto's colt who eventually wore down the filly and eased up at the wire. Unfortunately coming up against this good colt could not alter the results, but Bette Noir on this run can score either in a terms or handicap race next time she ventures out. Raindeer Quest needed this winding up. She has the class to pick up a few events along the way.

The mock race for Top Quark was impressive which gave many tipsters a clue to his chances in the Shiv Kumar Lal Memorial Cup but the ever sharp and judicious planning by trainer Netto gave the favourite a rude jolt with Oh My. These two 3 year olds were a distance in front of the other five. Ravinder Singh made the first move on Top Quark who shouldered on money favouritism. The ever reliable K. Ganesh on Oh My, a Fact Finder 3 year old gelding, pursued the leader to eventually snatch away the prize from Top Quark.

With many races under his belt as a 2/3 year old, Schumacher could not take the word maiden out of his young career. It fell to the task of Ravinder Singh to control the panels and safely steer this Procida gelding at the expense of the more fancied Xiphoid who made a vain attempt but failed to reach upto the winner. The two further behind Best of Class and Akarita lacked the sharpness for a sprint, but would be at their best over a middle distance race.

The older and more experienced Run High taught the younger Fire Spark a lesson that it is hard business to win races against the seniors. The Deshmukh trained 3 year old, a son of No Louder, had to accept defeat at the hands of Run High who edged past the favourite in the closing stages. There will be more determined efforts coming from Academy Award and Cool Edge in their next races which punters should make a note of.

One fails to understand the logic of Dance Melody being made a favourite against Hutan who had won on the opening day and that too by six lengths. It's always wise to go along with a youngster who is on the upgrade and improving. Hutan's last win was impressive and the backers should have made a beeline for him. In the words of trainer Rafaat Hussain who said that this gelding has recently shown marked improvement and should carry on from here was written all over the track. Hutan hacked a 1100m field out of sight with Ravinder Singh looking over his shoulders, winning by 9 1/2 lengths in open company.

Trainer Netto actually started his four timer with Moment of Power who obliged his followers. He had failed on the opening day against Winnepeg but made amends immediately to take the second race of the afternoon from Regal Celebration. Jaggs is steadily building up to strike. The same team that struck in the Air Command Cup was back to lead its other runner Dolly Parton, a maiden filly, who won over a distance after leading her rivals from the gates. This Young Senor/Regal State bred is set to win again on her present form.

Trainer Shamsuddin and jockey R. H. Sequiera came good in the fourth race to win their first race of the season with Prince of Kazran. After the start the 6 year old gelding who was slow away, could be presumed to have his chances blown into thin air. But taking advantage of a 1400m. trip, Prince of Kazran had the time to make up the leeway and was able to recover, challenging leader Jamruth. It was a tight finish which went in favour of the former by a short head. The other fancied runner Crystal Reef who ran with bandages felt her legs in the straight and shortened strides to fade into fifth place.

On Saturday just before the running of the main event, the Totaram's Cup there was a heavy downpour that did change the underfoot conditions to a slight give in the ground. Somehow the softer conditions seemed to have suited Mind Game who was a close sixth last time. The handling of Muthanna is acceptable to Mind Game who delights by having the podgy jockey in the saddle. It was another futile attempt by Tarasca who gave his best to reverse the placings but there was 3/4 length left at the post. But Tarasca's consistency should eventually pay.

There was even betting between Personal Accord and Honey Well in the S. Malakonda Reddy Memorial Cup, a terms race, over 1400m. Punters were divided over whom to follow. The former opened as favourite but Honey Well came back into favouritism just before the race. Samad made the running on Personal Accord but left a wide gap on the rails allowing Honey Well a clear passage and a shorter route to take. There was a thrilling finish with, both Samad and Ganesh at their best, the photo going in favour of the former. These two were far ahead of the rest by over a distance.

At the start of the afternoon both divisions of the maidens race was saddled by Leo D'Silva. Translucence was far sharper as far as speed is concerned when she spurted ahead, the moment Splendour on Grass attempted to challenge her. The latter can win after this run but should go for extended trips. The next race was won with great ease as Auric Royal followed the same tactics as his stablemate to lead all the way. This was a good move by jockey Raja Rao as he had reported to the Stipes that on the first day his mount was hanging in. By hugging the rails he avoided this to happen.

The highly fancied Native Quest, a contender for the Fillies Trial Stakes this season was heavily supported in the ring in the Cupid Plate over 1600m. The only thing that could beat her was the top weight being carried against older horses and her debut run. Apparently these two undid her as she lost out to Cordon Rose. This 4 year old filly has been tracking smartly during morning hours. A fine ride which is always welcome to any horse was given by R. B. Shinde on Cordon Rose who pushed out the Ramaswamy 3 year old from the pedestal. Another factor that did not help Native Quest was the loss of the whip by Amyn Merchant in the straight. To some extent this did make a difference at the end since Native Quest lost by only a length. However trainer K. Satheesh was not duly worried but on the contrary was pleased that her first outing was satisfactory and she would improve on this run.

Trainer M. P. N. Babu had the pleasure of leading in Meo Voto, a maiden who raced in open company today. This large made son of Mc Duck toyed with the field and could take the liberty of racing wide to run away by 4-1/2 lengths. General Challenge was slow away at the gates and got knocked off the stride by Fleeting Glimpse. Dropping back last this gelding was virtually out of the race for first spot as he had to recover something that was out of reach. Fleeting Glimpse can be supported for his late effort that got him the third position.

Trainer J. Silvester kept his tally moving thanks to Swift Wind who was carried out in full stretch by Cariappa to hold the fast finishing Inspector Fox who went down by a neck. Supported by a mock race, Ancient failed to give any indication of his intentions of the outcome which back fired miserably.

General Nediym was made favourite at 3 to 1. What a laugh it turned out. Lying last of ten runners he was completely out of the picture to show that this tag was all false. Royal Act who has done nothing of merit in the last one year has come down to a level where she had the chances. R. B. Shinde scrubbed her along to give J. Silvester a double for the day. Royal Act was available at 10 to 1.

ARIEN

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