Crown Crystal (Tejano-Crown Secret) won the higher division of the G.Sudhakar Reddy Memorial Cup, which featured Wednesday’s races at Hyderabad. Dream Deal and Twentyfive Pips were disputing the lead as the field made their way to the home stretch. Crown Crystal was just behind and jockey A.Imran Khan not finding a gap in between the duo in front, first made an attempt to sneak along the inner rails. The gap on the inside also narrowed down and Imran pulled his mount out to make his move. Twentyfive Pips in the meanwhile had surged forward and Crown Crystal with a flying finish caught up at the wire to give the trainer, S.A.Shehzad Abbas a much needed win. Dream Deal finished third.

Sk.Kassam trained Silver Crown (Placerville-Silver Academy), winner of two successive races during winter last, was backed to the exclusion of the other runners in the lower division and the 4 year old grey gelding justified the favouritism by trouncing the opposition. Rohini Star, Silver Crown and Cristiano were racing abreast till entering the home stretch. Silver Crown pushed his way through horses with 400 metres left in the race and left the field cold behind. Cristiano edged out Best Pal for the second place.

The top weighted Sweet Candy (Hurricane State-Integral) justified the favouritism in the Almanac Cup. Settling well with the front bunch, till rounding the final turn, Sweet Candy surged ahead smoothly, to hit the front. Inside the last furlong, Nilesh Rawal on Cannon Law started to work his way and was getting closer. Sweet Candy was beginning to veer out of the straight course towards the finish and jockey B.Sreekanth did well to keep the filly going despite the drift and was comfortably home.

Deshmukh schooled Racing Queen (Alnasr Alwasheek-Show Us The Money) won the higher division of the Paradis Plate, a 5 1/2 furlongs sprint for maiden 3 year olds. After finishing second to Ice Hill in her debut run, a fortnight ago, Racing Queen was sent into the race as a ‘half money’ favourite, against her 14 rivals in the race. Jumping out well at start, P.S.Chouhan was quick to take Racing Queen to the front and made every post a winning one. Rebut chased the winner all through to take the second place while Prince Prashant came into the money, half a length adrift.

L.D’Silva’s Exclusive (Cool Creek-Astrid) shed her maiden status with a terrific turn of foot inside the last 100 metres, in the lower division. Laughing Eyes had regained the lead 300 metres from home and was looking good when Chouhan started to ride out Exclusive and the filly responded brilliantly to raise a winning gallop. Pakat Pakat Pakat rallied along the inner rails to take the second place while Camacho Speed and Maharadhi ended up third and fourth respectively. The rider of Laughing Eyes lodged an objection against the winner for interference in the last 200 metres and the stewards not finding any merit in the case, overruled the objection.

Anupam Sharma trained Kohinoor Pride (European-Hero’s Tribute), a debutant at 4 years won the Sweet Memories Plate, the opening race of the day. Valley Crossing went ahead to lead the field at start followed closely by Kohinoor Pride. On entering the straight the front runner packed up early and Kohinoor Pride surged to take the front and kicked on with ease in the last furlong. Golden Adagio rallied on to finish second, in front of Sugar Deal, while the favourite Chameli finished off the board after racing towards the rear throughout the race.

Laxman Singh’s Stylish Chieftan (Imtiyaz-Millywakay) bounced back to winning for in an amazing fashion, winning the Red Rufus Plate by a big leeway. Jockey Culhane held Stylish Chieftan in check, behind Cherry Hill, who rushed from an outward draw to hit the front. With about 400 metres left on the final straight, Stylish Chieftan came along side Cherry Hill and when alighted to the task, the 4 year old responded brilliantly to draw away. Cherry Hill stayed on in second position while Midnight Beauty and Slam Dance filled the frame.