L.V.R. Deshmukh trained Rapture Of Victory (Alnasr Alwasheek-Raptures) scored a mighty win over Kohinoor Wish, in the Mysore Race Club Cup, the main event of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. The seven-furlong race for horses in the highest category had attracted five runners, with the top-weighted Kohinoor Wish emerging as the clear favourite at cramped odds of 10 to 6 ‘on’. Rapture of Victory was second in demand although Deshmukh’s ward had reigned over Kohinoor Wish when they met over a similar distance on the opening day of Monsoon. Rapture Of Victory got that race by the shortest of margin despite severe interference by Kohinoor Wish on the home stretch. Rapture Of Victory beat Kohinoor Wish more convincingly this time. As the field showed up on the straight, Rapture Of Victory surged ahead but veered out of the straight course even as Kohinoor Wish was beginning to make his move on the outside. Chouhan kept riding out his mount, as he arrested the drift and kicked on to be a clear two lengths at the finish.

Deshmukh and Chouhan were in their elements, putting up a hat-trick performance, winning the first three races of the day for the popular colours of ‘pink, red stars’. Vijay Kiran (Puerto Madero-Ruddles) came out of her maiden ranks in the higher division of The Fire Haven Plate. She chased Dazzling Princess all through to the final bend and surged ahead to be right in front till the winning post. Jaden Gil managed to get the better of Dazzling Princess for the second place, in the last few strides of the race.

Arrow In Auto Mode (Razeen-Aglitter) had run a suggestive third to Windsor Manor four weeks ago. The 3-year-old started as the favourite but eased out to 2 to 1 when a lot of money came on D’Silva’s Lake Blossom, who closed at 5 to 4, in the higher division of The Delage Plate. While Kathakali showed the way in front, Arrow In Auto Mode followed closely till the last 450 metres wherefrom the ‘Arrow’ surged to the fore and despite drifting out, kept the forward motion. Five horses, Kuchipudi, Illustrator, Lake Blossom, Indian Epic and Kathakali finished in a cluster in that order, four lengths behind the winner.

Zoheb Zhaikh pulled off a successful gamble on Pavan (Emerald Cat-Justicia), in the lower division. Jockey R. Umesh rode the even-money favourite to a gate-to-post victory. Zero Tolerance with feeble assistance managed to get the better of Rio Grande and Key Note on the straight to finish second. True Future rallied late to take the third place in front of Key Note.

It was a rewarding day for trainer K.S.V. Prasad Raju and jockey Imran Khan, both of them teaming up to score a double. Aarohan (Emerald Cat-Cordon Rose) had failed narrowly to Kathakali, in her previous outing and taking the cue from that run, the connections entrusted the ride to the in-form jockey, Imran Khan and had a go in the lower division of The Ongole Plate. Symbolism led till the last 200 metres and tired out wherefrom Aarohan and Paris Time rushed in front and started to fight out. Aarohan quickened well to pull away from Paris Time while Kohinoor Victory moved late to get into the money.

Phenomenal Speed (Sussex-Osprey) hit the right chord, in the lower division of The Fire Haven Plate, to get her maiden win and give Prasad and Imran their double. With jockey Imran Khan in full flow, Phenomenal Speed burst in front inside the last 1½ furlongs, to score a thumping victory. Handsome Hunk poked through horses to move to the second place in front of Sea Runner. The race favourite Hero’s Choice ran green, travelled all over the track in the last 400 metres before finishing fourth.

L. D’Silva’s Arcturus (Don Micheletto-Swiss Maid) slipped into the lead under apprentice Kuldeep Singh and kicked on to win from Top Shape, who was in futile chase throughout.