21 November,2016 07:32 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
Lying near the wrong end of the field until the race took a serious turn Queen Credible, trained by Rehanullah Khan, suddenly flew like a winged horse in the final stages to post a sensational victory in the Rotarian M S Shah Million, the feature event of the opening day of the Mahalaxmi 2016-17 racing season
Lying near the wrong end of the field until the race took a serious turn Queen Credible, trained by Rehanullah Khan, suddenly flew like a winged horse in the final stages to post a sensational victory in the Rotarian M S Shah Million, the feature event of the opening day of the Mahalaxmi 2016-17 racing season. Ridden by C S Jodha, the China Visit - Brushed Aside three-year-old filly established her superiority in no uncertain terms as she swept past the field to win by half a length from the favourite Allora (S Zervan up) who managed to hold Abbey (Suraj Narredu up) by a head. This was Queen Credible's second career win from five starts.
Thrilling finish
The race turned out to be such a close one that only two-and-a-half lengths separated the first seven horses. As the starter flagged the 13 runners off, Queen Credible was slightly inconvenienced by horses on either side of her forcing jockey C S Jodha to grace the tail end initially as Minstrel Heights called the tune followed by Abbey, Greek Goddess and Lady Danehill, with favourite Allora racing fifth followed by the rest.
With two furlongs still to go, Greek Goddess who looked good stalking the duo of Minstrel Heights and Abbey suddenly weakened and threw in the towel, and before anyone from behind could improve position, Suraj Narredu astrdie Abbey stepped up the heat by challenging leader Minstrel Heights so vigorously that for a moment it looked like the duo may cross the post locked together without any challenge from the rest. Favourite Allora then made her bid along with long shot Double Nine, but the one who caught the eye was Queen Credible who had already acquired winning momentum by then and she whizzed past all of them for an impressive victory.
Trevor tops
Jockey Trevor Patel bagged the riding honours for the day by reeling off three races in a row after going without a win in the first half of the card. His hat-trick (Motherland, Mrs Patmore & Irish Bailey) overshadowed Suraj Narredu's brace astride Domination and In My Dream. Among the trainers, Dallas Todywalla was the only one to score more than once on the opening day's card. Both his winners--Motherland & Irish Bailey--were ridden by Trevor Patel.
