It was a filly for the second year in succession that walked away with the fortunes in the Deccan Derby (Gr.I), the blue riband of the monsoon races at Hyderabad on Sunday. Bred at the Poonawalla Stud & Agritural Farms, In The Spotlight (Alnasr Alwasheek- Radiate) romped home to a thumping victory giving trainer S.Padmanabhan his third success in the race. Paddy tasted his first classic triumph when Golden Fantasy won the Mysore 1000 Guineas in the year 1991 and two decades later he led in his 57th classic victory. This astute trainer also boasts of 129 wins in graded races and that speaks high of the dedication and hard work Paddy has put in as a trainer.

After finishing second to Southern Bay in the Mysore 1000 Guineas, In The Spotlight was pitched to prove her worth in the Deccan Derby, with French saddle artist Ladjadj Stephane being given the job to guide the filly. Local challenger Vijayshourya set the pace and Stephane finding the pace suitable, settled In The Spotlight in second, while the gelding from Bangalore, Arabian Gold provided company along the inner rails. As the heads turned on the home stretch, Vijayshourya still in front was joined by In The Spotlight and Surya lakhsmi was beginning to make a bold move. In The Spotlight looked to be hesitant to pass the leader but once she did, the filly quickened tremendously and won drawing away by five lengths. Surya Lakshmi finished second while the pace setter Vijayshourya held on to take the third spot. Although the time taken to get the 10 furlongs trip was a clear minute short of the course record, it turned out to be the best ever clocked in the Deccan Derby over the last 40 years.

Speaking to India Race after the race, trainer Padmanabhan said,” Finding Vijayshourya going ahead we settled in second. Even if there was no pace we had decide to cut our own and the filly was ready to take it from the front”. On the filly’s next, Paddy added,” We are going to rest her now and she will be back in winter. Our ultimate aim is to get her to the Indian Derby in full readiness”.

Prasad Raju’s Alberton Star (Royal Gladiator-Naval Guardian) moved with a dash inside the last 100 metres, to assume command from Kohinoor Mystic and lift the Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup, a six furlongs sprint for horses in the highest category. Although Alberton Star had dead-heated with classy Napoleon in his earlier essay, the 5 year old was offered a liberal quote in the betting, while Hard Kingdom found big support, closing at 2 to 1. Hard Kingdom was never in the hunt at any stage of the race and Alberton Star won decisively even after drifting out towards the closing stages of the race. Guiding Light just managed to peg Alexander Square for the second place while Kohinoor Mystic finished fourth.

Trainer Ananth Vatsalya was the only professional to pick up two winners on the big day. Westminister (Epicentre-Sabakh) was the first one for the stable, winning the Turf Authorities Cup under C.Alford. After finding one better in three successive runs, Westminister finally found the right turn of foot to pick up his maiden win by a lead of four lengths from Bribi Madi and Stylish Chieftan. The double came through Palace Affairs (Mr.Mellon-Alice Charms), who was given a hard ride by Ajit Kumar to surge ahead on the straight and win the P.V.G.Raju Memorial Cup. Al Jabal was prominent all the way but could not match strides when Palace Affairs gathered momentum and finished second, in a photo finish with Achiever and Grey Shot. A visibly happy Vatsalya said,” A professional always dreams of leading a winning horse on the Derby day. I am doubly thrilled to lead two”.

The day started with piping hot favourite Vijay’s Conquer biting the dust in the S.N.Reddy Memorial Cup. The seven furlongs race was left with four starters after Suchiman got withdrawn. On the strength of his second to Super Duper in the Colts Championship Stakes, Vijay’s Conquer was sent into the race at a short price of 10 to 3 ‘on’. Racing along with Arrow in Auto Mode till entering the home stretch, the favourite failed to raise a gallop when Genius Empress (Royal Gladiator-Loud Water) moved with alacrity. J.H.Christopher allowed Genius Empress to gallop freely and the filly owned and trained by Faiyaz Shaikh extended the margin to a massive nine lengths. Arrow in Auto Mode took the second spot, pushing the favourite to the third spot.

Netto trained Nasheeta (China Visit-Tehema) pulled off a popular victory, in the Raja Saheb of Challapalli Memorial Cup. Fearless Mission barged ahead on entering the straight and Melody Queen was begining to move up strongly on the far side. Nasheeta in the meanwhile looked a bit lazy but the strong urgings of Suraj Narredu got her to pick up speed and once she did, the race was well sewn up much before the winning post. Melody Queen finished second ahead of Fearless Mission.

Ageis (Royal Kingdom-Adventure) moved with a terrific run from way behind to get past Days of Thunder and Pavan in the Jatprole Cup. Hidden Destiny, who shared the favouritism with Aegis, finished fourth.

Laxman Singh trained Vijay’s Dhara (Tirol-Madamoiselle) moved rapidly from almost eighth position, 300 metres from home and registered a three lengths victory over Garcia Marquez, in the concluding race, the Nawab Sultan Ali Khan Memorial Cup