A classic expectation as an youngster, from  KV.Srinivas’s yard, Surya Lakshmi (Burden of Proof-Indian Endeavour), who was struggling to get things right for herself, finally found her winning shoes to lift the Speaker’s Cup, the main event of Sunday’s races at Hyderabad. A strong field of eighteen horses had lined up for the six furlongs sprint with Windsor Manor garnering the highest support. With leading saddle artist P.S.Chouhan assigned the task of guiding Surya Lakshmi’s fortunes, the filly also was in contention in the betting.

Windsor Manor was out of the gates smartly and went ahead to lead the field right from the start. Days of Thunder, Young Soldier, Alexander Square and Walnut Creek were in close attendence. Surya Lakshmi got to the inner rails quickly from an outward draw and settled in about sixth position early on. Into the home stretch, Windsor Manor continued to dictate terms in front, keeping about two lengths leeway from the nearest challenger. When the race got to a boil inside the last 400 metres, Surya Lakshmi started to make headway and with P.S.Chouhan in full flow, the filly responded brilliantly to bridge the gap and snatched the race from Windsor Manor on the last stride. Guiding Light and Bloody Mary finished third and fourth respectively.

P.S.Chouhan continued to dominate the proceedings with a treble.Deshmukh trained Vijay’s Champ and K.V.Srinivas schooled youngster Lucy Diamond were the other two winners piloted by Chouhan. Vijay’s Champ (Toccet-Poor Old Eliza) displayed its staying capibility when it won the2200 metres grueling trip, the Mica Empress Cup. Flying Spur set out in front from the start and Vijay’s Champ settled well in second. On the final straight Vijay’s Champ came alongside and travelled the better but could surge past only after shaking off a gritty Flying Spur.

Lucy Diamond (Lucifer Sam-Lyrical Bid) started off her career with a fine win in the Corden Rouge Plate. After an awkward jump, Lucy Diamond went to the lead quickly and Chouhan nursed the baby well on the straight to reach the winning post well ahead of Fairy Emperor. Golden Art was third another 3 lengths adrift.

Trainer M.Sathyanarayana who missed out on Windsor Manor in the feature, saddled a short priced double through Silver Crown and Betty Prior, both ridden by S.John. Silver Crown (Placerville-Silver Academy) won the higher division of the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate. Phenomenal Speed was in front along the rails and Bribe Madi forced its way through horses to take it up near the 300 metres. Silver Crown, who was racing just behind and looking for a split was denied a clear passage. John kept his cool and with a renewed effort worked his way and the grey gelding galloped resolutely to collar Bribe Madi. Ice Lolly and Prince Prashant filled the frame.

Betty Prior (Placerville-Betfair) won the lower division of the Hi-Tech Plate. Commanche Gold and Sun Bird started to outbeat each other inside the last furlong and Betty Prior not confident of taking the gap between the two in front, was pulled out and with a forceful ride by S.John wizzed past to justify the favouritism. Commanche Gold held on to finish second in front of Sun Bird.

Another professional who scored a brace of winners was apprentice A.K.Pawar. He started off with Faiyaz Shaikh’s Royal Bird in the opener and pulled off a surprise on L.D’Silva’s Attenborough in the lower division of the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate.  Royal Bird (Emerald Cat-God’s Desire)earned its first corn bill in the lower division of the King Rama Plate. Winless in ninteen outings, Royal Bird raised a big gallop inside the last 200 metres and went past the front running Golden Star with 100 metres left from home. Foudre Rouge and Max Baby finished third and fourth respectively while the favourite Itsy Bitsy faded out on the straight after running second, much to the dissapointment of her large following.      

Attenborough (Sharp attack-Belle Danseuse) came up with a spirited run through the field  in the last 100 metres to surge ahead in the shadow of the winning post. Street Magic was fighting out with Sheridan in the last 100 metres and had just managed to move in front when Attenborough came with a dash  to spring a surprise. Sheridan lost out the third place to Hurricane Dancer.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s Fortunate (Sussex-Showering) came up with a terrific turn of foot under Nilesh Rawal in the dying moments of the Chirala Cup, to shedher maiden ranks. Maharadhi was looking good to wrap it up after taking over the running near the distance post when Fortunate, who was in mid-field for most part of the race started to gain ground when shown the daylights on the extreme outside and literarily flew in to deny a winning berth to Maharadhi.

Sk Kassam’s Victorous Sally (Gaswar-Tirolean Gold) won thehigher division of the Hi-Tech Plate. Jockey Satish Nayak took Victorous Sally to the front near the distance post and stayed well to keep at bay the favourite Queen of Hebashe. Stable mate Smashing Beauty came with a late run to snatch the runner-up berth from Queen of Hebashe on the last stride.

For the professionals, P.S.Chouhan was the top scorer with a treble while trainers K.V.Srinivas, M.Sathyanarayana and jockeys S.John and A.K.Pawar scored a double each.