Calcutta: Trainer Aashay Doctor’s filly, Meropi (Yash Narredu-up), extended her winning streak to four, when she claimed the 1,400m Mayfowl Cup, the feature event here on Thursday. The impressive victory of the Western Aristocrat-Panamera daughter not only affirmed the faith that she was as much comfortable over the slated trip, it also raised hope that an extra furlong is within her compass. It will be interesting to see Meropi’s progress over the mid- distance terms races. Frankly speaking, it may not come as a surprise if the four in-a-row winner, Meropi, makes the ‘Gold Cup’ line-up, next month.
For the records, in a three-horse line-up Yash, in fact, had no choice but to take Meropi to a start-to-finish mission. Jockey Trevor Patel atop Agnostic, did put marginal pressure on Meropi, but Yash was quick to alert the half-money favourite and it was all over bar the shouting.
Another odds on favourite, Global Influence, romped home in the 1,200m Noble View Handicap, giving jockey Suraj Narredu an arm chair ride. Suraj, partnering the Rajesh Narredu-trained runner, trounced his six rivals in a smart timing. Dali Swirl (A.Sandesh ) was the best of the rest in the race. |
In a pillar-to-post effort, trainer B.R.Reddy’s well backed mare, Fresh Hope (B.R. Kumar-up) easily won the upper division of the Relevance Handicap. In the same race, trainer Vikash Jaiswal’s Yuvi (app Ankush), was a good second, while Shyam Habbu-schooled Soul Music (J.H.Arul ) warmed up late to place a fair third.
Liban had been knocking at the door. In the lower division of the Relevance Handicap, Dr. Anil Kumar’s consistent performer, Liban (P.S. Kaviraj-up) came good, upstaging the fancied duo of Flamingo Road (V.R.Jagadeesh) and Super Sapphire (Suraj Narredu). The winner, though badly drifted out in the home stretch, held on to his advantageous lead. Super Sapphire found the distance a bit too short for his liking. Keep a strict watch on the horse.
The Legal Steps Handicap, over a mile trip, witnessed the S. Khan-trained Oh My Sweetheart (N.S.Parmar-up) winning the race. In the same race, Aashay Doctor’s course favourite Champagnesupernova (Yash), came up with a late dash to finish second, while Rajesh Narredu’s Good Deeds (Suraj) held on to finish third. The long time leader Jahzara (Trevor) faded out to finish fourth.
In the opening event, the Royal Double Handicap, the last outing failed-favourite , Lineupandcollect (A.Sandesh-up) scored a fighting win over George Everest (P.S. Kaviraj), who seems to have run into some form, after a disappointing monsoon season.
Notable runners:
Super Sapphire, Good Deeds, Meropi and Oh My Sweetheart.