Lady In Lace does it again

HYDERABAD

THOUGH ADVANCING in age there is not the slightest indication that Lady In Lace, the 5-year-old daughter of Classic Sport/Telepathy, is on the wane or wishes to stretch out her legs and relax. Full credit must go to K. S. V. Prasad Raju her schooler who has done wonders in keeping her focussed on the track. Lady In Lace won twice during the monsoon beating her main rival High Point by giving her 3 kgs on each occasion. Prasad Raju has retained her in terms events where she escapes penalty.

In the Mysore Race Club Cup, another terms race, she had a wide gap on the others especially High Point who ran on equal weights. Nursed carefully in the initial part of the race, B. V. Krishnan rode a waiting copy book race on this mare. By the time the field entered the straight, Lady In Lace was in command to strike with force, maintaining her lead to hold a determined Reine Beau who made a bold effort to reach within 1/2 length of the winner. There was no appreciable improvement in Academy Road's position while High Point slightly hindered for space finished a close fourth.

The Rangarajan colours lost out in the main event but won the opening race. Petrushka, the Nanoli bred filly, was a striking winner compared to her earlier run on the first day when Appu reported that she ran green and never raised a gallop.

This time she was a different proposition. Leading her rivals with Satish Narredu astride she was given a fair amount of rein - the ease with which she galloped and her flowing action was striking. She is by Sir Bruce/ Musical Lights. K. R. K. Raju's Cannon Baby seems to be running up against a better opponent again as the grey had to settle for the runner up berth. The permutations worked out, trainer S.Habeebullah struck quickly and twice with Fabulous Gem. Having won a week earlier he slipped in another race for this 3 year old knowing that he had come out of last week's race without much exertion. Jockey Ravinder Singh is keeping his score sheet ticking with a punishing ride to enable the gelding lift this race by 1/2 length from the improved Cadre who can give Laxman Singh a win but over a distance of ground.

Auric Royal joint favourite with Fabulous Gem was badly in need of a race. The one month gap did take the sharpness out of his system but will strike soon after this lung opener. As if waiting to be dropped down to Cat. III for an immediate victory, Limerick was given the opportunity which the 5 year old made a quick thrust to spear his rivals by a distance to hop back from where he came from. Trainer Figredo had also fitted his ward with a hanging bit on this occasion.

In the race for non winners since the start of the season in July this year, another to enjoy the comforts of weaker company was Olympic Gold an on money favourite. Responding to Sequiera, the 4-year- old colt, gave his large supporters all the confidence they needed with a decisive win. With a steady run in, Stately Honour is inching towards a place at the top if given a similar set of runners. Dance And Music was left in the gates and strolled in when others had completed the course. Rebounding Love was another sleeper losing about 5 lengths at the start.

The win of Vision of Sound was unexpected and shocked many. Only 14 days ago she finished amongst the beaten lot where Ewigkeit a common runner today placed third last time. Whichever way you look at the result, it is not the victory that worries one but the manner in which it was achieved. Lying last but one, Vision of Sound made a recovery of about 8 lengths on the leaders and then had the extra fuel to gallop past her rivals to snatch a certain race away from runner up Olympic Brave. The Stipes may be onto this one as they have been fairly active and sharp during this season. The slow and steady improvement of Best of Class was borne out today with a sustained run that got her third spot. Her Stamp of Class pedigree should give her a much needed victory over a trip.

Favourite Legal Eagle had no answer to the firing cylinders of Super Monarch who was breathing down the throat of the front runners while Thrilling Time gained access from the rails to be 1-1/2 lengths shy of the Ramaswamy 3-year-old. The added advantage that must have gone in Super Monarch's favour was the fitting of blinkers that infused his spirits to explode.

On Saturday trainer K. Satheesh got off the mark in the maidens race to keep the pressure on leader Leo D'Silva. His chestnut filly Repose on the opening day ran green and was hanging out but had improved on all counts to be fully sharpened for today's race. The M.A.M.R. Muthiah owned 2 year old struck the right note with Merchant to a clear cut win over leader Singularity who ran a forward race to be second. This should be an indication of this gelding's prowess that he would soon win.

Incidentally two races later Festival of Lights, a shock winner at 15 to 1, is a full brother to Repose, both brother and sister winning on the same day. Both are progenies of Ajaad out of Vajrani. This win was also out of tune as Festival of Lights raced only 13 days ago but the only point that might be in favour of his improvement is that he placed a close sixth in race No 25. Krishnan had to change directions and curve out about four wide to come around the front runners.

Once a clear passage emerged Festival of Lights flew to devour favourite Helookslikegrundy and hold on to his lead that was cut down by Cool Riddinn finishing second again. The previous time to Indian Gem.

The row of winners during the monsoon for Moonlight Stroll came to an abrupt halt. In the Mica Empress Cup, the Srinivas owned 4 year old eventually finished fifth. Running a forward race,Caution created a fine impression with a solid workmanlike effort to hold on by a narrow margin from the fast finishing Flight Fantasy who should be able to win in a similar terms race. Jockey Vishwanath rode a strong race on the winner for trainer Sk.Kassam who got his first winner of the winter season.

Fitted with blinkers favourite Fremont jointly pursued by backers along with Personal Gift, both at 3 to 1, found the shortest way under Kannan to strike home comfortably from leader Saddle The Wind. Cedar Rapids, the top weight, might just be gaining his momentum and should be lining up for a win shortly.

By winning the Makalu Cup, the 4 year old gelding Southern Minstrel made it three in a row. This Faiyaz Shaikh owned and trained horse has shown remarkable form recently and proved beyond doubt his staying powers for middle distance races. Jockey Krishnan who rode him last time was astride this 4 year old once again to steer him home comfortably. Factual made strenuous efforts to catch the winner but had to settle for the second place.

Racing only the second time this season, Rosette Queen was surprisingly made favourite in the Kitty Bank Plate. She was a false favourite and the result proved right as this filly running a forward race eventually faded away. The Habeebullah trained Sun Beam who ran second on the opening day to Desert Fox, responded to the driving finish of Ravinder Singh, beating back Janus to second place. Royal Gift is consistently striking on board with his late efforts. She should be sent over a longer trip to fully exploit her potential. Ours Good Faith racing after a longish break will benefit from this run. This filly should be followed the next time she races.

With his usual late flourish the 8 to 1 Sugarcane came with a rattle to catch stablemate Noble Task near the post for a narrow win. Cannon Time, the favourite, who ran second to Olympic Brave in her previous outing, ran a disappointing race to fade away from the scene after leading from the start. Keep a close watch on Amazing Gold who ran into prominence in the closing stages. This filly can now be counted on to do better over a longer trip than 1200m which she ran today.

ARIEN

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