The Golconda Derby day’s races had a card of nine events on Sunday at Hyderabad. While the focus was on the big one, the Derby Stakes, two Million races were the added attraction of the day. Trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh who scored his first Derby win, ended the day with a brace. Jockey Trevor Patel was the most successful professional with three winners. The other highlights of the day was a back to back double by trainer Faisal Hassan and jockey A.M.Tograllu combination.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Staying The Best (Burden of Proof-My Hansel) got the better of stable mate Dandelion in the dying moments of the Bhagyanagar Juvenile Million and emerge victorious. Dandelion set out in front over the seven furlongs trip with Golden Arrow in close attendance. Staying The Best was in about sixth position, running three off the fence all the way till entering the straight. Inside the last 200 metres, jockey Trevor Patel started to ride out Staying The Best and the 3 year old bridged the gap steadily and beat the relentless Dandelion close to the winning post. Golden Arrow finished a close third after making its bid towards the inner rails.

Trevor Patel was the most successful professional, piloting three winners. The other two victories came through Okai Okai Okai and Dusty Lady. Okai Okai Okai from trainer M.V.Narayana’s stables won the Aristocrat Cup. The favourite Regal Groom took charge in the last 250 metres and was trying to kick on when Trevor brought Okai Okai Okai with a powerful run to surge past and register a comfortable win. Regal Groom finished second while Golden Dash was third another 3 1/2 lengths away.

R.H.Sequeira trained Dusty Lady (Puerto Madero-Ruddles), whose last win was a year ago, came pounding down the last 100 metres to snatch the Squanderer Cup from Key Note in a nail biting finish. Key Note had established a lead of over three lengths near the distance post and was kinking on. Lesser fancied Dusty Lady started to gain momentum under the rigorous riding of Trevor and despite shifting out under pressure, inched closer to put its nose in front at the all important end. Kings Cruise and Precisely That filled the frame in that orders while the race favourite Aphrodisiac was a tame fifth.

Trainer S.S.Faisal Hassan schooled youngster, Lovely Angel (Gaswar-Angel Face) lifted the Eureka Forbes Youngster’s Million, a 1200 metres sprint for maiden 3 year olds horses. Ein Ein Ein set to in front, closely tracked by Lovely Angel. Inside the last 150 metres, Lovely Angel stepped up pressure and moved forward win the race. Dancing In The Rain came up to beat Ein Ein Ein for the second place. Jockey A.M.Tograllu who rode the winner had started off the day with a win on Hassan’s Mr Glorious (Mr.Mellon-Simply Glorious) in the lower division of the Sikander-E-Aazam Cup. Racing in about seventh or eighth near the distance post, almost seven lengths behind the leader Bold Attack, Mr Glorious accelerated readily when the rider gave just two firm backhanders and drew away to score a facile victory. Gold Medal Exclusive and Sabreen Princess filled the frame in that order.

M.Sathyanarayana trained Emerald Reef (Emerald Cat-Shimmering) justified the favouritism in the higher division of the Cup. Our Mascot was in the lead from the word ‘go’ and Emerald Reef came up fast under Imran Chisty to move forward near the distance post and stretched out well. Rocking Racer rallied on to be the runner-up. Our Mascot and Grenada filled the frame.

L.V.R.Deshmukh’s Plenipotent (Iffraaj-Beldon Hill), who had donned the role of a pace maker to its more illustrious barrack mates earlier, won the seven furlongs Secretariat Cup with utmost ease. Tracking the front running Da Xia till the top of the straight, Plenipotent moved forward effortlessly when the rider A. Sandesh loosened the reins on the home stretch. Garcia Marquez, Al Sarraah and Blazing Asian filled the frame in that order.

Anupam Sharma trained Brahmani (Hymn-Jukebox) scored the biggest upset of the day, in the Deccan Prince Cup, the concluding race of the day. Vijay’s Best was in front from the start and had a lead of over two lengths over the nearest challenger as they passed the distance post. Brahmani, in third last position, on top of the straight, weaved through horses in front and sped past the weakening front runner. Sheer Genius and Aerosmith finished second and third respectively.