M.V.Narayana Rao trained Molecule (Rebuttal-Anacita), who has had a consistent run in her career, was ridden well by D.K.Ashish to lift the P.Veereshwar Rao Cup, the main race of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. Five horses were left to face the starter after Suchiman was withdrawn from the race. Lumiere Blanche set out in front from the start, followed closely by Indian Epic and Corvette. Molecule was another length behind while Jewel in The Crown braced the rear. Inside the last furlong, Molecule was put into top gear on the extreme outside and the filly responded readily, to sail past the front runners. Lumiere Blanche held on to finish second from the late finishing Jewel in the Crown. Corvette finished a close fourth.

Narayana Rao sent in a double through Wedding Gift (Royal Kingdom-Virginia Flapper) in the Golconda Plate. D.K.Ashish, who was on it in its last win, was astride again to score an encore. Pavan and Laurel Canyon came in to the home stretch together and Wedding Gift, who was improving along the inside, slipped in swiftly and surged clear. Drayton moved to finish second in front of Nano Storm and Laurel Canyon.

Trainer Donald Netto had a profitable day, sending home a quadruple. Amrapal, Stolen Date, Home Town and Audacious were the victors from the stable. The last two named were piloted by A.Imran Khan. Home Town (Midtown-Wild Racer), who had found one better in Sporting Star, after winning a race during monsoon, was back with a bang to win the lower division of the Priceless Polly Plate. Racing in about sixth position till mid-way up the straight, Home Town accelerated brilliantly in the last 100 metres to be sighted a winner well before the winning post. Spanish Conquest came up late from behind to take the runner-up berth. Enrapture and Ace Star filled the frame.

Audacious (Epicentre-Ice Castle) was the winner of the higher division. Imran Khan decided to track the leader Guiding Spirit till coming into the last 400 metres and slipped in effortlessly to draw clear. Rob Roy chased the winner throughout the last furlong but could only finish second.

Netto sent in two shockers in both the divisions of the Elusive Hero Plate. Stolen Date (Sussex-Hunting Girl) made every post a winning one to register its maiden win. The stable companion Majestic Rock, who was the race favourite, was in hapless chase inside the last furlong when the winner got stronger towards the finish. Stolen Date paid a mighty Rs.528/- for a fiver.

Amrapal (Ajaad-Diamond Caves), a maiden even after eleven runs, also went on a start to finish bid to get her first win in the lower division. Jumping out well at start, Amarapal went ahead to lead the field and kicked on in the last 200 metres to win by a big margin. The favourite Fouder Rouge could only beat the rest and finish second. The best man and Amber Rose filled the frame.

Trainer S.A.Shehzad Abbas also had a good day, saddling three winners. Golden Arrow (Epicentre-Cornelia) came up with a good run under D.K.Ashish to fight it out with Chocolate Soldier right through the last furlong and score on debut in theHidden Bloom Plate, a five and a half furlongs sprint for maiden 2 year olds.

Shehzad’s second win came with Metaforce (Eljohar-Poem), in the Srisailam Plate. The 6 year old had not seen the winning post for over two years now but still garnered popular support, going into the race as the firm favourite. Jockey Kiran Naidu returned to the saddle with a fine start to finish effort on Metaforce. One One One tried its best to get close to the winner but Metaforce kept going and stayed well in front. Silver Liner finished third.

Shehzad’s Inner Strength (Hurricane State-Integra) lifted the Race Club Cup. Having started its career just a month ago, Inner Strength earned its maiden win in her third attempt. Dazzling Princess was in the lead from the start and came in first on the home stretch. Commanche Gold and Inner Strength started to rally strongly inside the last 150 metres and went past the leader. Jockey Ravinder Singh rode out Inner Strength to surge ahead of Commanche Gold by half a length at the finish.

Among the professionals, D.Netto was the most successful with a quadruple, Shehzad Abbas and D.K.Ashish had a treble each while M.V.Narayana Rao and A.Imran Khan scored a brace each.