DESERT GOD WINS PRESIDENT OF INDIA GOLD CUP, GR.2 FOR THE THIRD TIME

Desert God (Burden of Proof-Running Flame) was the Leading Older Stakes Earner for the year 2017/18 having won three races with earnings of ₹58,70,758 and continues to retain the title for this year as well. Adding yet another Group race to his expansive list of achievements he has already amassed over 50lac rupees for the year 2018/19 and there is still a month to go.

The champion galloper from the yard of trainer S Padmanabhan made his latest win in the President Of India Gold Cup, Gr. 2 look so effortless. In his customary start to finish effort he had his adversaries keeping close for most of the way, but when he turned for home he had them off the bridle well before he picked up his pace. The Champion Horse of the Bangalore summer season, Secretive Force tried hard to keep with the pace but was a force spent when the champion galloped freely to the line with 6½lengths to spare.

The property of Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan, Mr S Padmanabhan and Col Swapan Bhadra has won this race thrice, in 2016, 2018 and 2019. He missed out in 2017 when he was overseas trying to enhance the reputation of Indian racing. He won this race last year after winning the Bangalore St Leger and this year was a repeat of that performance. The Golconda St Leger was his next conquest last year. Will that be his too in 2019?