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Bobby trained Saddle Point who had no credentials to be a favourite was backed to the exclusion of the others in the feature event of the races, the Star Supreme Cup and he never raised gallop at any stage of the race and flopped like a dud. Nano Blue who had a forward run last time out where he had finished third to Latin Twister was well settled in third before apprentice Madhu Babu pressed the accelerator inside the final 300 meters. Nano Blue responded well with a good stretch run and passed the frontrunning Stickiwicketdotcom easily and won with something to spare. Khoka who led all the way had nothing left in the tank when the race came to the boil and faded out to be fourth.
Special Force who was given an easy run last time over a mile in the higher class was back to over a trip which suited him best. Raced over a sprint, the Young Senor progeny made it look so easy. He led from the front and checked in well clear in straight with the rest spread out far behind. There was a rush to occupy the second place after the favourite reached home. Billy Blackjack came from behind on the outside and just about managed to occupy the second place from Raider’s Sun.
Another horse who was backed with conviction but failed to win was Beauty On Duty. But she was in earnest,raced in second and led from 400 meters and looked poised to win. But Boston Ranger who had his own followers found a yawning gap along the rails when he was making his move in the run in for home. Saddamiqbal was quick to grab the opportunity and shot his mount through and the 5 year old gelding put in a peletted run to win close home. The style of his winning suggested that he is in great heart and can complete a hat trick.
Fire Of Joy had to be ridden out to win from Matter Of Opinion in the 40-65 Sindhu Plate. Fire Of Joy who was a handy fourth slipped along the rails even as the quietly fancied front running Holiday Date was showing distress signals and went into the lead. The favourite appeared cruising for an easy win but Matter Of Opinion charged in fast only to lose narrowly to add some element of excitement to the proceedings. Matter Of Opinion who drifted out when it mattered the most and lost a possible race. Maratha Conqueror who has become a veritable money spinner for the connections once again finished in money by placing third.
Artic Princess recorded an encore in the Shivanasamudra Plate. She led from the start and was never headed by any of the other runners and she gave an armchair ride to victory to Suraj. Witch Doctor showed improvement while placing second.
Norulla who had a chance ride as Shanth Kumar was declared unfit to ride made full use of it when he drove Pokemon Master to victory from Mutual Fund whose front running tactics fetched him only the second place.
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