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Trainer Vijay Singh`s fancied runner, Avarua (Hindu Singh-up), finally, delivered the goods on Tuesday. The five-year-old mare claimed the afternoon`s feature event, the 2,000m M.B. Medhora Cup, with a degree of ease, thanks to trainer Bharath Singh`s Alledro (Dashrath Singh) performing well below his potential. The afternoon also witnessed Vijay`s another five-year-old horse, Jacobin (Neeraj Rawal), scoring a very facile victory against a tough opposition, after two disappointing seasons.
Avarua had been knocking at the door in mid-distance races but the winning luck had eluded Abbeyside-Aymare daughter. She had always performed better when ridden up with the pace and Tuesday was no exception. Hindu had her settled right behind the front-running stable-mate, The Straddle (Neeraj), till about the distance-post before sending into the winning lead.
Bharath`s Alldero, the main rival of Avarua in the seven-horse field was also in contention till turning for home. The Multidimensional son was, however, noticed to be in distress thereafter. Alldero`s recent win was hard earned but expectations were high from the horse who had reeled off a series of winning stars before his highly ambitious run in last year`s Leger.
Vijay`s Jacobin, on the on the other hand, brushed off the disappointing memories of his recent runs, post a setback, after an impressive debut. In the 1,200m Icelandic Handicap, the well nursed and brought back to a winning condition, Jacobin was also given a purposeful ride by Neeraj who had the 5/4 favourite settled behind a speedy Scorpion Queen (app. Rupal Singh) and Arakawa (Sarvan Kumar) till about the last furlong of the race before pouncing on them for a very facile victory. The other two horses who were also profited by the scorching early pace were Lady Two and Pollyana.
Trainer Shyam Hubbu`s Raise A Grand (Shezad Khan) scored a back-to-back win with an equal impressive manner. In the 1,600m Aazish Handicap, the western India migrant was solidly fancied to carry his 6-1/2kg winning penalty. The 2/1 favourite fully justified his odds, winning the race in an identical manner; coming with a late run on the wide of the field.
The other one who scored a back-to-back wins was trainer Robert Gowli`s speedy customer, Gimme Credit, who had won a six-furlong race on the New Year`s Day. The seven-year-old cashed in on his winning form, over a shorter sprint, the upper division of the 1,100m Alameda Handicap. Leading from the start, Gimme Credit (app. Tajeshwar) out-sprinted the opposition, leaving it to fight for the minor placings.
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rainer Deepak Karki`s Bournville (Dashrath) bagged the lower division of the Alameda Handicap, beating Vikash Jaiswal`s heavily fancied Buddyholly (P.S. Chauhan) virtually in his last stride. The even-money favourite was trying to win from the start but Bournville was always close on his heels.
Trainer Javed Khan`s Bambini Fiesta, ridden by a leap-year jockey Imran Khan, recorded the biggest upset in the eight-event card. In the 1,600m Zarashah Handicap, the Royal Gladiator son was always in touch with the front runners like Prince Of Hearts, Queen`s Command Seventh Step and Yuvan but was quickest inside the last furlong. He had a narrow measure of trainer Harvinder Bath`s 11/4 favourite, Expensive Affair (Chauhan) who was also a strong finisher in the last 100m of the race.
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Cool Conqueror (Rupal Singh up) winner of the Areonative Handicap
Eastside (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Prince Blossom Plate
Raise A Grand (Shezad Khan up) winner of the Aazish Handicap
Bambini Festa (I Khan up) winner of the Zarashah Handicap
Avarua (Hindu Singh up) winner of the M B Medhora Cup
Jacobin (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Icelandic Handicap
Gimme Credit (P Tejeshwar up) winner of the Alameda Handicap (Div-I)
Bournville (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Alameda Handicap (Div-II)
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