PELUCHE SPRINGS A SURPRISE IN THE SRIKANTADATTA NARASIMHARAAJAWADIYAR MEMORIAL MILLION

It was pure tactical riding by jockey P Trevor that saw the Neil Darashah-trained Peluche (Phoenix Tower-Lost In thought) take on the hot favourite Isn’t She Lovely in the Srikantadatta Narasimharaajawadiyar Memorial Million over the 7f trip winning by a neck at the post. In a field of five runners, Isn’t She Lovely tracked the leader Into The Groove, Winning Heart and Orenda in close attendance followed by Peluche. Sticking to the rails helped Peluche move from last into contention, sneaking up between Into The Groove and Isn’t She Lovely. A gap appeared between the front two runners and Trevor was quick to take advantage and rally through, and by the time Sandesh astride Isn’t She Lovely changed his whip hand to prevent his filly from steering out, Trevor had stolen a lead. Not one to give up so easily, Sandesh straightened his filly and with a few strides she loomed up alongside Peluche but that wasn’t good enough, as Peluche sealed it, finishing a neck ahead of her. Winning heart finish in third by 1¼ lengths who was 2 lengths ahead of Into The Groove, who tired out in the final stages, with Orenda last of five. Isn’t She Lovely will try to make amends in the Guineas which has been postponed by a week.