Ganesh steers Honey Well to victory

By Arien

HYDERABAD, NOV. 28. A race was instituted in memory of the late H.P. Mistry, a Club Member, Steward and later a member on the Appeal Board of the Hyderabad Race Club, who expired a couple of months ago after falling ill at the race course which he attended regularly. This terms event over a mile for Cat.I horses, was the prize event over the weekend.

The terms were slightly in favour of Honey Well by 1 kg over top weight Blitz Craig. Both accordingly paid tribute to the set up of penalties as prescribed. Jockey B.V. Krishnan rode the best of finishes on Blitz Craig but that slight advantage in weight had the final say. K.Ganesh is riding at his brilliant best, with rides flowing from all sides especially from leading trainer L.D'Silva. He is competent enough to lift the champion rider's title if all goes well. Under the flaying whip with a view to charge up Honey Well, he steered this S. Pathy-owned 4- year old in a left-handed finish.

Earlier in the opener for youngsters Ganesh was astride the AB Stud-bred filly Sherie Rose for trainer D'Silva. This compact and quick-actioned daughter of Young Senor/Miss Oriental was the fastest of the lot. First Crush ran a bit loose travelling wide but steadied in for a smooth run while Vision, a good looking son of Mont Rose, showed his mettle, producing the action that speaks of one that requires more space to fully exploit his potential. Krishnan eased out Vision a bit early before the winning post.

It's been a slow start for Mr. Rangarajan's horses, especially in the 2-year old races. Normally his horses strike pretty early in the season, but it's amazing the way his runners have landed up with the runner-up spot in most of the events they have started in. This was further proved when the other division of the maiden race, Aintree named after the famous race course where the Grand National is run, played second fiddle to Glory Days. Jockey Kavan Kariappa well settled into his new job as first jockey to Satheesh's strong stable made all the running and with a race under her belt, the Ajaad filly cantered home. She is bred from an Australian mare - Hazards Way. Luciferous was withdrawn at the gates as M. Jagdale was injured. Royal Imperial reared up as the gates opened losing a distance.

Netto-trained Okati Okati Okati showed out that she had come to hand quicker than Proxy, Flight Fantasy and Stroke of Genius, all first timers. Springing out from the centre of the track Syed Asgar went past her opponents, the win was the first for this rider who rarely gets winning rides. Catch onto the other three who will come on after this gallop. Auric Royal, a close fifth was beaten on terms. He should go for handicap races where he would have better chances.

The 4-year old filly Bonne Fei had a rough start to her winter campaign. Tightened for room at the 700m she stumbled to recover immediately. Coming round the field she finished a close fifth. This run will be beneficial. It was sheer strength and power that exploded from B.V. Krishnan as he extracted every ounce from Change Over to snatch a short head victory from Stylish Boy who led from the start.

The two impressive victories in Cat. III had punters ploughing their pockets and rooted once again for Best of Class. The next category stopped this filly from completing a hat-trick. She however ran a game race to slip into third place. At 6 to 1, Bet Me Best was quick to take an opening between two horses near the rails, darting away under Ravinder Singh, who is regularly dishing out winners. He can also vie for the championship if the momentum remains. Scottsdale can oblige next time in this Category. In the gruelling 2200m cup race it was a sight to see joint favourites Resources and Factual fight for honours that went to the wire for a short head verdict in favour of R.B. Shinde on the J. Silvester-trained Resources. Things are looking up for this professional whose stable has bulged with owner K. Sudhamma's horses in his yard.

Both divisions of the Windscale Plate were annexed by Laxman Singh-trained runners. Cartridge with Manohar Singh won easily and not as the verdict indicates. The rider had much in hand to cause an upset in the next category. If cast in the same group,Vicci will be ready to strike. The next ride on Aux Armes should have given Manohar Singh a double but unable to fulfil this partnership, B.V. Krishnan got the mount. It needed few cracks and strong handling for the grey to stay clear. He might enjoy lesser weight with the next elite group. The same would go for Cambridge Blue. Fire Spark and Classic Punch are another pair who can enhance their chances next time.

Unable to last out favourite Mega Light gave into bottom weight Nagina that initiated J. Silvester and Ravinder Singh's double.

Magic, The Serow and Royal Fantasy were the rage as punters were undecided. Ganesh on the first named from D'Silva's yard waited for his challenge well into the final 300m. Picking up this filly he was unruffled after coming alongside The Serow confidently edged his mount ahead for a neck win. Three wins on a trot has caught up with Royal Fantasy who got derailed at the end. With this win the combination romped home with another two winners. Golden Image who changed course never looked to trouble the front horses. But after changing his legs the gelding was transformed, his image casting a long shadow to sneak away by a neck over Entropy and Seranova.

Regal Rose reversed the order with Cannon Role who had beaten her last time. It was a pillar to post affair for the D'Silva trained 3 year old. Taj-E-Shahi is ready to win next time.

Making his debut the Warrshan/Repertoire colt Acropolis delivered the goods for his joint owners. After some struggle he overcame Coming Along to strike ahead. Premier closed the gap on the winner with a late run. Easing up at the finish, Suvin easily lifted the Mica Empress Cup allowing Wind Chimes and Clear Mandate to reach within shaking distance. The latter who hung in badly could not be ridden to full capacity.

With Top Wave and Dukhtar-E-Shama scoring, D. Netto and Ravinder Singh won a double. The former pitched into a fine run for a narrow verdict from the latecomer King George who will strike in longer races. Chulbuly after this race will improve to fight another day as top weight. At the end of the last meeting Dukhtar-E-Shama came up with encouraging runs. With that backing, this 3 year old showed that her top weight was no stopper, Ravinder giving her a smooth ride. A narrow second on the first day, Prince of Forest was a big failure. One could not fault R.B. Shinde for he tried his best but there was no interest shown by this gelding. A note for the Stipes who are keyed up during this season. Moonlight Prince got his hindleg stuck between the side boards and could not move. As he was motionless he could be extracted. He was withdrawn from the race.

Beaten seven lengths by Mohican Chief, Cadre found the present lot easy picking. The passage into the top category will be a different story. He could pursue the terms event in the present group. Golden Sambar ran a deflated race after a fine showing on the second day. Abbattale must score for sheer consistency.

Young M. Ravi Shanker, who is producing great results for Habeebullah, gave another stunner of a finish on Skid Row. Somehow the lad with his lack of experience drove his mount to win a whisker from Gallant Princess. Desert Native left the lower rung by a short head win after being blocked on the rails to beat top weight Feng Shui who also goes up to the next set.

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