L.V.R.Deshmikh trained Pedalo (Rebuttal-Palladio) lifted the Golconda 2000 Guineas – Grade 2, the second classic of the winter season at Hyderabad. The victory of the chestnut son of Rebuttal was very stylish and it added another classic feather to Hazara Stud Farm. Pedalo was going into the race with two wins to his credit from as many starts, the last being in the Dubai Cup on the first day of the season, run over seven furlongs. Deshmukh’s ward was sent into the Guineas as a strong favourite despite the presence of horses from Bangalore who usually end up picking up most of the plum events at this centre.

Ridgeway and Sunday Storm ran prominently in front from the start and the two entered the home stretch with stable companions Vijayshaurya along with Pedalo tracking the pair about four lengths adrift. Entering the last 300 metres both Ridgeway and Sunday Storm ran out of gas and dropped out of contention. Jockey P.S.Chouhan playing a waiting game till then pressed on the throttle and Pedalo accelerated like a true champion to win with plenty in hand. Golden Rule racing towards the rear till the top of the straight covered plenty of ground to finish second ahead of Vijayshaurya. Swiss Don who was also finishing on towards the finish filled the frame.

With three wins on the trot, Pedalo is budding into a potential champion and will be heading the local challenge at the Golconda Derby Stakes coming up on the last Sunday of January. Surya Lakshmi, the 1000 Guineas winner, Golden Rule, Swiss Don and Vijay Shaurya will also emerge as the pick of the local talent for the big one.

Speaking to India Race after the race, jockey P.S.Chouhan said,” I was confident of winning the race from the time my boy jumped out of the gates. I could have gone ahead at any stage of the race and he had plenty in reserve going past the finish”.

Laxman Singh schooled Lumiere Blanche (Gaswar-Dancing Flame) turned out to be another impressive performer of the day, winning the higher division of the Bobbili Plate. Dazzling Princess in her customary fashion broke away from the rest on start, to lead the field. Jockey
Deep Shanker let the piping hot favourite Luniere Blanch settle well in second. Once on the home stretch Deep Shanker urged his mount and the filly started to gallop with giant strides to romp home in a smart timing. Vijay Sheel rallied on to take the second place many lengths in front of Overtaker.

The lower division was won by Anupam Sharma trained Valentine (The Ladys Groom-Amazon Sky). P.S.Chouhan rode the favourite from start to finish and finished well in front of Moment Of Roses who managed to beat Flashy Conquest despite drifting out in the last 100 metres.

M.V.Narayan Rao’s Oru Oru Oru (Rebuttal-Belinda) was the biggest upset of the day in the Hyderabad Cup. As the field approached the last furlong, Oru Oru Oru came up with a sustained run to join battle in front and surged ahead of Transformation to win by three parts of a length. The favourite Aegis failed to raise a fluent gallop on the straight and finished third.

Trainer K.Satheesh saddled two winners in a card of seven races through Proviso and Rich And Famous. Both the horses were ridden by apprentice B.Dileep and almost in similar fashion. Proviso (Serious Spender-Cool Water) was quick to shoot ahead of the ten rivals when dispatched from the gates and made every pole in the mile trip a winning one. There was a rush for the minor placing with six horses charging forward and the favourite won that trivial battle, finishing second, ahead of See You There and Manduro.

Rich And Famous (Emerald Cat-Wine N Song) lifted the Bonzer Cup to give a double for the trainer jockey combine. The 4 year old led the field from the start and kicked on towards the closing stages to win from Caladium and Hundred Flowers.

D.Netto’s Rustic Gal (Mr.Mellon- Hyacinth) won the Royal Tern Plate, the opening race of the day in an absolving finish. Secret Angel had taken charge from Elegant Approach after the two raced together till the last 300 metres. Imran Khan had started to goad Rustic Gal and the filly picked up momentum in the last 100 metres, moving with big strides to pip Secret Angel close to the winning post.