Vijays Pride (Bertolini-Designer Chic) from the stables of L.V.R.Deshmukh lifted the first classic of the monsoon season at Hyderabad, the Deccan Bookmakers Fillies Champion Stakes – Grade 3, in taking style on Sunday. Vijays Pride, the winner of the ‘Fillies’ at Bangalore won the Hyderabad edition in style, with jockey P.S.Chouhan having the comfort of looking back inside the last furlong and easing up the filly well before the winning post.

Winjoy, the stable companion to Vijays Pride did her job well by going into the lead early and she followed by So Super, Silver Cruise, Angel Child, Vijays Pride, Secret Angel, Capital Attraction and Oasis Vision in that order. As they entered the straight for the final run, So Super went ahead, while Angel Child made a quick move to challenge. Vijays Pride rallied around the two and with a flawless gallop, stretched out effortlessly to leave her rivals gasping. Angel Child and Capital Attraction, the two from Western India finished behind the winner in that order.

Donald Netto trained Alexander Square (Ajaad-Celesta), who had found one better in both its starts earlier this season finally got into a winning gallop to win the Original Vel  Mrs.Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup, a six furlongs sprint. Anacostia led till the last 300 metres and as she started to fade out, Alexander Square moved strongly under S.John to take it up followed closely by Days Of Thunder. Inside the last 100 metres Alexander Square went clear and although Arrow in Auto Mode covered plenty of ground from the rear, failed to get close to the winner and finished second.

Deshmukh’s Vijay’s Champ (Toccet-Poor Old Eliza) made an impressivedebut in the Chaitanya Chakram Cup. The 3 year old looked eager and Chouhan allowed him to go to the lead, approaching the 800 metres marker. Inside the last 250 metres, Maharadhi tried to bridge the gap but Vijay’s Champ speeded up when the rider urged him and won impressively.

R.H.Sequeira trained Ruffiano (Duja-Amber Eyes) picked up its second win of the season in the higher division of the P.R.Khade Memorial Cup. The favourite Da Xia emerged to lead the field inside the last 300 metres and was looking good when Madhu Babu brought Ruffiano through horses in front and with a determined effort got the better by three parts of a length at the finish. Chesapeake and Suchiman filled the frame.

M.Sathyanarayana’s Hard Kingdom (Diffident-Roman Eagle) justified the favouritism in the lower division. Improving from around fifth position on the final straight, Hard Kingdom accelerated readily to surge ahead inside the last 100 metres and won well. Airborne Magic and Sun Strikes rallied on to finish second and third respectively.

Young Srinivas Reddy, who was licensed as a trainer at the start of the season led in Rohini Star (European-Cindi Lou Two) in the Elusive Hero Cup. Heading straight to the inner rails after jumping out from the outermost draw, Rohini Star led all the way to spring a surprise. Travaldo towed on to finish second ahead of Golden Adagio.

The 5 year old gelding from S.Habeebullah’s yard, Deccan Storm (Inner City-Factual), who was a maiden after a dozen outings was sent in as the favourite among the five runners in the Khammam Plate. Racing in second last position for most part of the nine furlongs trip, Deccan Storm got ready to strike on entering the home stretch and with a powerful gallop shot ahead to clinch its maiden win. Imaan  finished second while Fortune Art ended up third.