S.A.Shehzad Abbas trained Al Sarraah (Gaswar-Gatling) picked up speed in the dying moments of the race, to lift the P.Veereshwar Rao Memorial Cup, the feature event of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. Celtic Rose set out in front from the start and made a start to finish bid. Al Sarraah, ridden by R.Umesh improved to get on the haunches of Celtic Rose as they traversed the final turn and moved strongly to fight out the last furlong. Al Sarraah looked to be a bit sluggish but managed to get past in the last few strides. Mystical Knight also joined the duo with a big run to finish a close third.

Jockey R.Umesh had earlier ridden the favourite Ben Chocolate (Black Cash-Cinora) to victory, in the opener, the division I of the Elusive Hero Plate. Ben chocolate, who had got off to a slow start in his previous two runs, was quick to jump out this time and got to head the field within the first furlong, coming well from outside draw. Ben Chocolate kept up the tempo right through the home stretch and won with more on hand. Maximum Response was the best of the beaten brigade.

Grand Connection (Rebuttal-Anacita), trained by M.V.Narayana Rao sported a pair of wings, en-route to setting the fastest time over the five furlongs distance on the winter track at Malakpet. The daughter of Rebuttal had been sparingly raced, with only one run each in the last two seasons. P.S.Chouhan rode the filly in check till entering the home stretch and unleashed a terrific run to get past the front running Slam Dance with utmost ease, in the higher division of the Race Club Cup. Chouhan did not move a limb and Grand Connection stretched out effortlessly to win by a big margin of five lengths in a new course record time.

Chouhan guided Deshmukh trained Vijaysheel (Alnasr Alwasheek-Unknown Fact) to victory in the lower division. Dazzling Princess in her customary fashion led the field from the word ‘go’. Vijaysheel and Ekto Ekto Ekto worked up their way to fight out with the leader in the last 300 metres. Vijaysheel surged ahead in the last 100 metres under the strong urgings of Chouhan and won the race from Ekto Ekto Ekto. Oru Oru Oru appeared from out of the blue to finish a close third, beating Dazzling Princess close to the post.

Chouhan had a fruitful day, booting home three winners, the first being Castle Town (Midtown-Canalleto), in the lower division of the Golconda Plate. Deshmukh’s trainee tracked Royal Embassy till the top of the straight and shot ahead to leave the field cold. Melody queen, Toli Toli Toli and Royal Embassy finished in a cluster in that order six lengths behind the winner.

L.D’Silva’s Garcia Marquez (Quest Star-Friendly Type) wrapped up the higher division, to complete an encore. Prince Paladin warmed up late but failed by three parts of a length at the finish. Wedding Gift and Vijaykeerti filled the frame. D’Silva pulled off a double through Accordion (Tirol-Irish Mist), in the Srisailam Plate. Queen Of Hebashe set out on a start to finish mission and looked to be staying in front relentlessly mid way up the straight. Accordion came up with a sustained run to surge ahead inside the last 100 metres. Grey Shot made a late bid to finish second ahead of Democracy and Queen Of Hebashe.

Satheesh trained Snow Bird (Oath-X Factor) carried the colours of Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy to a resolute victory in the Hidden Bloom Plate, a five and a half furlongs sprint for two year olds. Snow Bird entered the straight first and extended the lead to six lengths at the finish. Hidden Power was in chase throughout the race.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Turf Ruler (Sussex-Machiavelli) was very keen at start and jockey B.Shanker let the 3 year old hit the front and make his own running. Once on the home stretch, Turf Ruler kept up the momentum and scored a five lengths victory. King In The Sky finished second in front of Geography.