One of the stouter sprinters of these times, Hesperus bounced back to win the Ramakrishna Rao Memorial Cup over six furlongs in convincing fashion on Saturday. Hesperus has been such a game performer that despite being campaigned over trips beyond his staying powers, which were taxing for him, he always put up a gutsy show. His form had suffered towards the fag end of the Winter Season as he also had some minor niggles and he did not live up to expectations in the Sprinters Cup. Now nursed back to top condition, the Darius Byramji trained Hesperus staved off the challenge of the opposition effectively to win some degree of comfort. Hesperus raced upfront and seized the initiative inside the final two furlongs and held on resolutely to win from a late-finishing Linette. Tribal Fantasy had all the chances but did not quicken at the all important end and finished a tame third. Now that Hesperus has regained his winning form, he should be a force to reckon with in the terms races where he gets the weights in his favour. Darius Byramji shared the limelight with Ganapathy by saddling three winners. Other than Hesperus, Darius’ wins came through Money With Talent and Gallardo. Mumbai challenger Portrush went into the 1200 metres Hampi Plate as the firm favourite though there was strong support for Money With Talent who had won her last outing in winter over a sprint, in tremendous fashion. The trip was bound to prove sharp for Portrush but the Razeen progeny nevertheless attracted a flood of money as class was expected to carry him home. But in the event, Portrush missed the kick, made up ground through a crowed field and but when it came in quickening in a trice in the run in for home, he was wanting. Money With Talent who was racing a handy second, spurted instantly when asked for an effort and left Portrush standing. The latter ran on to finish second but he should make amends over extended trips. Trainer Bezan Chenoy had two strongly fancied runners namley Protrush and Kinnari but both failed to deliver the goods. Ganapathy’s Peace Prize was also strongly supported but there were many who felt that the daughter of Burden of Proof may need a trip longer than five and half furlongs and the speedy Kinnari was expected to benefit by this. The way the race shaped in the early part, with Peace Prize finding the initial pace too hot, the trust on Kinnari appeared to be yielding fruit. However, Kinnari and Star Girl who went for each other’s throats by setting a scorching pace were a spent force when Peace Prize swooped on them in the final 300 metres. Peace Prize easily sailed past Kinnari and went away for an effortless win while Kinnari managed to save the runner-up spot. Star Girl was not sighted. Ganapathy’s other winners came through The Chieftan, full brother to the celebrated Running Flame, who made no contest of the race for the horses rated in the lowest class and Reuben Star, full brother to Spectacular Quest, who made mincemeat of the opposition for a repeat win. Flightingale had come to the right mark and with Suraj Narredu declared to ride the Irfan Ghatala trainee, the daughter of Bee’s Prospector was fancied to win. Ruzzan who bolted to the front on Gallardo at the start of the mile long race, held on resolutely and won from a fast-finishing Flightingale for whom the winning post came too soon for comfort. Jockey Silva Storai, the regular partner of Flightingale, has been rendered horse de combat due to a hand injury and she is expected to make a decision about her future soon. Hyderabad’s Red Carpet led every inch of the race in the day’s opener except the one which it mattered the most and lost by a whisker to a late-finishing Damgood. Trainer Rashid Byramji had a winner when Priceless Memories went on a start to finish mission in the seven furlong race and held on comfortably from favourite Talk of the Devil who failed to quicken despite Appu’s all out efforts. Winfoot’s run was suggestive.