Silent Force extends winning sequence

HYDERABAD

THE LINE up for the Golconda Juvenile Million may have lacked the spice needed for such an event as only a small field of six accepted. However the quality and determination shown by favourite Silent Force cannot be overlooked as he recorded his fourth win in a row, to remain unbeaten this season and thus making him the best 3-year-old in Hyderabad. Even the presence of Fantastic Belle, a Ramaswamy owned filly, who won two top races in Bangalore did not waver the locals from their favourite Silent Force. This colt owned by Mr. Rangarajan missed his regular jockey Appu, who met with an accident on the Bangalore track some time ago.

Leo D'Silva brought the son of Twist and Turn in superb condition with the ride going to B. V. Krishnan. This was the first time that Silent Force was tackling 1400m. The speedy Batalik made early inroads while the second Ramaswamy runner Native Quest travelled freely - Silent Force running directly behind. Passing the 800m while the others were scrubbed along, Krishnan on the favourite was on tight hold. That's how he galloped easily. For a moment the quick getaway by Native Quest sounded some alarm bells, but twice in alternate actions between the use of the whip and hand driven finishes, Krishnan levelled out with Native Quest, finally in the last 50m Silent Force stretched beautifully to extend and show off his great frame to the public by lifting the Million race in superb style. Kudos to both the professionals for making the race remain in local hands. Silent Force who is bred at the Doaba Stud smashed the 1400m course record set by another horse of Mr. Rangarajan, Sporting who had timed 1.26 sec. This well made colt rewrote the record books with a time of 1.25 3/5 sec. From the way things stand Silent Force looks to be following the footsteps of Bonzer. His programme will be similar to the races that Bonzer ran in. It was left to locally trained Native Quest who put up a stout performance to some extent. She outdid her more fancied stablemate Fantastic Belle who was beaten fair and square.

In their last meeting Fog Cutter and Golden Hawk were separated by a neck, the race going to the former. Today the Handicapper did a brilliant job with his assessment when these two once again plundered down the straight, Fog Cutter making up considerable ground on Golden Hawk with a left handed finish by Moses who caught the leader at the post to win the R. M. Reddy Memorial Cup.

In full bloom at the moment trainer D'Silva fired in a treble with Limerick. This 5-year-old gradually making ground round the field was able to garner enough courage to blank out Blau Punkt. Most Wanted lost ground at the start but made up for lost time with a late run.The first race itself caught punters in their stride when Monsignor disappointed his supporters with a dismal run after what he did to the field in his previous outing. Fading out of the frame the vets were quick to find out that Monsignor burst a blood vessel and the gelding was bleeding through both his nostrils and the same was announced immediately over the public address system. Finding his main rival out of the way, Regal Rock in the capable hands of Mark Gallagher rocketed from the rails to lift the Deccan Prince Cup. Both Sugar Isle and Agreeable were impressive with their strong runs at the close of the race.

The position they held from the start was maintained till the post. Cool Edge sticking onto his lead which was narrowed down dramatically by Oh My who suddenly seemed to give his best at the end. Gold Chunk went everywhere except straight. Badly ridden by Shinde who repeatedly used the whip when his mount disliked the whalebone, by repeatedly changing course in the straight. Favourite Surrey Quays was beaten by over six lengths by the first two runners. He had the chance to improve but failed to live up to expectations.

Two factors came to the aid of Secret Savings who sprang a surprise in a 1600m race. This 6-year-old has been coming down in weights and secondly the older set of horses today gave him the right opportunity to win at long odds. Personal Gift, a last outing winner, was all set to give his owners another gift but Farokh Irani in a sudden rush of blood made Secret Savings catch the former in the last few strides to sneak out a neck winner. Pilot's Power had too much to achieve lying at the rear for too long. His final effort brought him the third spot.

Another course record was rewritten on Sunday in a 1100m Cat. II race. While Real Fortune and Olympic Gold took matters into their hands from the start, fighting for the prime place, out shot Flight Fantasy from oblivion under Muthanna to sky dive over the front two and add spice to the finish - a three pronged finish at the post went in favour of the Habeebullah filly. Flight Fantasy was timed at 1 min 7 4/5 sec for the 1100m, a fraction faster than the record set by the three horses - Ilia, Golden Hawk and Fog Cutter of 1 min 8 sec.

Having won the Million race, jockey BV Krishnan found new vigour and confidence with that big race under his belt. The effect had the right tonic for this lad who is riding with great aplomb. He is well on his way to lift the jockey's championship which is within his grasp. Riding Anurag he gave another display of his strength in the saddle by winning on this 8 to 1 mare from stablemate Quintessence who slipped through an opening to fill the second place. The run that was impressive was that of Fair and Fancy who came from the rear to take the fourth spot.

On Monday trainer K. V. Srinivas saddled a hat-trick, picking up the last three races. Although D'Silva is well on his way to take the trainer's crown once again, Srinivas is coming with a great surge. His first win came from the in-form Moonlight Stroll who completed a hat-trick. Winning in Cat III he defied the Handicapper to such an extent that today's stiffer company had no effect on this son of Classic Sport. Ridden from the front by Ganesh, Moonlight Stroll went further ahead to win by over five lengths.

In the other division of the above race the well rested Regal Force who had a break of over 1-1/2 months showed that the fresher you are the better. Krishnan and this 6 to 1 chance full of running won easily. Sugar Ray made a belated run to slip into third place while Baby Face faded from the scene after leading the field.

In the last event there was a scramble at the finish involving about five horses. In this hurry Mega Movie a maiden till now ignited under Syed Asgar to suddenly move up in tempo and slip past his stable companion and favourite Era to pull out a surprise. This filly has come down in weights and the removal of a few equipments might have been the right move by Srinivas. Blue Thistle, Tohara and River Dance were the other horses that gave this race the cutting edge.

The combine of D.Netto and Ravinder Singh came through with a double. In the first event for maidens, Netto's filly Eminency had the best previous form to go by. This filly has been improving with each run. A long striding type she was switched to the outside where she gained the upper hand over Calando. She is bred at the Poonawalla Stud and is by Locked Away/Greek Bride. Showing promise was Desert Fox who moved up to take the second place.

Trouvaille was the other winner for Netto. This gelding when making his challenge cut across the path of Finnigan Terrace to eventually gallop ahead easily. The effort by Ornamental under 63 kgs over this 1600m cup race was noteworthy, reaching within 1/2 length of the winner. Another to suffer by way of interference was Ace Exclusive at the hands of Words of Wisdom who tightened him on the rails.

In another maidens race over 1400m, Abbattale who has been missing out narrowly from taking first prize on her last three starts came good. This quick actioned filly was well in control of the race and smoothly strode away under Suresh to give the Ramaswamy colours a much needed win. This filly is by Ajaad/Gold Patch a Sans Craintes Stud bred whose dam bred Great Tribute a winner of the Calcutta Monsoon Derby. Further down the line we have Victory Zone who lifted the Kingfisher Mysore Derby. There is a possibility that some of this rich heritage might rub off this filly.

Showing his prowess for waiting races, Krishnan excelled on Flying Monarch in a 2400m event. Switched off at the rear, Krishnan reminded the 4 year old with a few backhanders at the 1000m. This long striding gelding needed all the strength of his rider to gain momentum. Foregoing an opening on the rails Krishnan switched to the outer track allowing his mount the room to gallop. He finished in his usual high actioned style that brought a narrow victory for this gelding over Dormancy and Meri Merzi.

ARIEN

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