The President of India Gold Cup – Grade 1 was run on expected lines, with the wonder filly, In The Spotlight (Alnasr Alwasheek-Radiate) decimating her four opponents to lift the prestigious event at Hyderabad on Sunday. In The Spotlight was looking a picture in the parade ring and the entire racing fraternity were waiting to see the champion filly from S.Padmanabhan’s yard stretch out. Jockey Martin Dwyer who had partnered the filly in her last seven runs had flown down specially to guide her fortunes.

Vijayshaurya set out in front as they took off for the 2400 metres trip with In The Spotlight settling down beautifully in second while Pedalo and Forever Glory racing together with Surya Lakshmi in the rear. Nearing the last 600 metres, before the final turn, Martin Dwyer  let the filly go ahead to take the lead and there was no worthy opposition to run anywhere close to her. In The Spotlight completed the formality in a enthralling fashion to keep her self earned title as the ‘Queen of Turf’.

Young Neil Darashah’s decision to get Sun Divine (Burden of Proof-Divine Dreams) to Hyderabad for the Ybrant Million paid rich dividends. The race, a six furlongs sprint for 3 year olds rated upto 75 had attracted six contenders. Montpelier was withdrawn before the race and the field was reduced to five. Sun Divine was quick at start and went ahead instantly to lead the field. Inside the last 200 metres Vijay’s Best and Cecil started to move menacingly towards Sun Divine but Suraj Narredu kept the tempo up and went past the finish well ahead of Cecil and Vijay’s Best.

Tintinnabulation (Intikhab-Tourmalet), a classy youngster from  L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard won the Alluri Seetharama Raju Trophy, the first race of the day without shedding a drop of sweat. Stable Companion Miss Watermelon set the pace over the nine furlongs trip with Tintinnabulation settled comfortably in second. Approaching the last 2 furlongs, Tintinnabulation made a smooth transition with the rider P.S.Chouhan holding him on tight reins. The youngster kept increasing the margin despite being hard held throughout the last 100 metres. For the records Nasheeta, Golden Rule and Toli Toli Toli filled the frame.

Trainer Ananth Vatsalya continued his winning streak with a double through Kohinoor Mystic and Kohinoor Supreme. Kohinoor Mystic (Young Senor-Undoubted) sprang a surprise in the Soli and Gool Poonawalla Memorial Cup, a terms race for 3 year old and upward horses in the highest category. The six year old went to the front with 250 metres left in the race and stretched out comfortably to wrap it up. The favourite Alexander Square had to be content in second place, ahead of Genius Empress and Yakshagana.

Kohinoor Supreme (Greensmith-Oh so Quick) went on a start to finish mission to win the higher division of the Rani Rudramma Devi Cup, a 5 ½ furlongs dash. Rohini Star was in chase throughout but failed to collar the winner and finished a close second. Handsome Hunk warmed up late from the rear to take the third spot.

L.D’Silva’s Garibaldi (Ontario-Giovane Signora) wrapped up the lower division in a similar fashion. The race got to a boil in the last 200 metres with Drum Beat on the inside and Twentyfivepips throwing a serious challenge but Suraj Narredu kept riding out Garibaldi to pass the winning post half a length in front. Drum Beat and Twentyfivepips finished second and third respectively.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan had no problem in piloting D.Netto’s Always Bullish (Storm Trooper-Blue Sonata) to victory in the Golconda Trophy. Racing in about fifth position till entering the home stretch, Chouhan started to work on the favourite Always Bullish and the 3 year old responded readily to surge past the leader Odalis and draw away by a clear seven lengths. Odalis held on to finish second ahead of Any Given Time.

The 3 year old Dazzling Prince (Hymn-Truffles) from S.S.Faisal  Hassan’s stables, a winner last winter, got back to winning form in the Half A Crown Cup. On top of the home stretch, Dazzling Prince who was in about fifth position was pulled out by .H.Christopher to make  an effort five off the fence. When asked to quicken, the colt lugged  in sharply but was quickly corrected by the rider and galloped resolutely to score. Custodian, Emerald Reef and Vijay’s Champ filled the frame.

Ananth Vatsalya, Suraj Narredu and P.S.Chouhan were the professionals who scored a brace each.