Laxman Singh trained Vijay’s Conquer (Placerville-Queen To Conquer) showed a clean pair of heels to its nine rivals in the Stewards Cup, the feature event of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. Finishing as a runner-up to Ashwa Shakti just a week ago, Vijay’s Conquer arnered all the attention in the betting, going into the race at a short price. Vijay’s Conquer had progressed gradually to be a close third, behind Young Soldier and Yakshagana as the started to take the final turn. Mid-way up the straight, jockey Culhane reminded his mount of the task, with a light push and the gelding responded readily to move ahead and draw clear. Yakshagana rallied on to beat Young Soldier for the second spot.

The combination of Laxman Singh and Culhane were in the limelight in the very next race, the P.M.Bokdawala Memorial Cup, division I, surprising the hot favourite Vijays Best through Hidden Destiny (Eljohar-Lucky Mining). Jumping out smartly from the gates, Hidden Destiny powered his way to lead the field and stepped up the momentum when Vijay’s Best challenged inside the last 200 metres. Vijays Best had won a race at Bangalore and then finished third to Déjà vu in the Juvenile Sprinters Million. On that performance, the 3 year old was sent into the race at cramped odds and was widely expected to win easily. Chouhan had Vijays Best in mid field for most part of the sprint distance and probably misjudged the pace set by Hidden Destiny. With a though asking in the final furlong, Vijay’s Best had to bite the dust raised by Hidden Destiny.

K. Satheesh schooled Snow Bird (Oath-X Factor) pulled off a sizzling hat-trick, in the lower division. A winner in her last two runs in winter, Snow Bird started off the Monsoon campaign on a splendid note. The favourite Anacostia was up in front from the start and looking good passing the distance post. Elegant approach and Strides Of Glory was getting stronger inside the last furlong and Snow Bird began to creep up through the shortest way. Within the last 50 metres Snow Bird got into a terrific gallop to sizzle past Anacostia by three parts of a length. Strides Of Glory and Elegant Approach finished third and fourth respectively.

Ananth Vatsalya trained Nano Pride (Sharp Attack-Bribe N Prejudice) was being tried over a mile for the first time in the Turf Club Cup and 3 year old filly made every post a winning one. The race favourite Sarvagnya could only watch the winner get better and better in the home stretch while finishing second.

Jockey Imran Khan gave a hard ride on Kohinoor Fighter (Gaswar-Sangam) to give Ananth Vatsalya a well earned double in the Kalamaris Plate. Ektto Ektto Ektto who was on a start to finish bid, was joined by Kohinoor Fighter inside the last furlong and the two fought a fierce duel before Ananth’s ward surged ahead. Lake King and Moment Of Roses filled the frame while the favourite Citi Supreme failed to make a mark.

The opening race of the day, which was framed in memory of Jockey K.Suresh was won by L.V.R.Deshmukh’s Ring Of Fire (Danehill-Star-Arikana). A facile winner over 1100 metres on debut during winter, Ring Of Fire showed lot of maturity while pulling off an encore, beating Always Bullish.

Donald Netto’s Travaldo (Midtown-Forest Green), a maiden even after seven attempts, finally surprised racing pundits with a thumping win in the Best Of Bold Plate. Travaldo moved swiftly from an outside draw to join the front bunch quickly at start and with a surge inside the last 150 metres went clear of Nano Tribute. Hard Hit had originally placed fourth but moved up to take the third place after lodging a successful objection for interference 200 metres from home. Pussy Galore was elevated to the second place while Nano Tribute went down to fourth

Marquise (Sharp Attack-Albuquerque), a good type of filly from Faiyaz Sheikh’s yard shed her maiden rank after meeting one better in three successive attempts, in the lower division of the Sardar Patel Plate. Marquise responded well to Chouhan’s strong urgings inside the final furlongs and sped past the front running Elenor. Ceremonious got the better of stable mate Elenor for the second place.

J.Silvester’s Arudra (Ivory Touch-Over Power) went on a start to finish bid in the higher division and managed to just hold on to the advantage from a fast finishing Golden Jewel. Kohinoor Revanta also moved up late to finish a close third.