Shehzad Abbas trained Cristiano (Don Micheletto-Fleet Footed) pulled off a scintillating win at longer odds in the S.Ramakrishnam Raju Memorial Cup, a seven furlongs trip for horses in the highest category. Eleven horses faced the starter with Satheesh’s ward Snow Bird sent in as the favourite. The grey Silver Crown set the ball rolling in front and held the position till the top of the straight. All Pepper and Golden Queen forged ahead near the two furlongs pole and started to dispute the lead while Cristiano moved to be third. Inside the last 150 metres Golden Queen improved to move clear from All Pepper and jockey Ch.K.Chary on Cristiano finding it prudent not to push his way between the two in front, pulled left and the son of Don Micheletto raised a resolute gallop to snatch the race from the ‘Queen’ at the post. Vijaykeerti took the third place from All Pepper in a close finish between them. The favourite Snow Bird finished fifth.

Shehzad Abbas saddled a double, having led in Dark Avenger (Don Micheletto-Royal Shine) earlier in the higher division of the S.Malakonda Redd Memorial Cup. The 4 year old gelding also ridden by Chary literally flew towards the closing stages to win the race. Dark Avenger traveled at the tail till approaching the 600 metres board and began to gradually move up. The race favourite Yet Again took charge on top of the straight and was traveling well with Handsome Hunk in futile chase. Dark Avenger was pulled left inside the last 300 metres and with jockey Chary urging vigorously, the son of Don Micheletto which had failed as a favourite in its last run during Winter, came pounding to beat Yet Again almost on the last stride. Specialist also came up with a late dash to finish fourth behind Precisely That.

K.V.Srinivas trained Lucy Diamond (Lucifer Sam-Lyrical Bid) was given a confident ride by Nilesh Rawal en-route to victory in the lower division. A winner on debut, Lucy Diamond found one better in her next two assignments, both Million races. Settling easy in fifth position till the last 600 metres, Lucy Diamond made headway to be third behind Laurel Canyon and Prince of Arabia by the time they entered the straight for the final run. Lucy Diamond took charge inside the last furlong and extended the margin to four lengths at the finish. Azaiba finished second while Rose Queen got the nod over Prince of Arabia for the third spot.   

K.Satheesh trained Star Striker (China Visit-Supreme Princess) flashed on late to win the higher division of the Sunny Blossom Plate. Kathakali and Chayanandan set out in front over the six furlongs sprint. Novaya Zemlya, Devils Advocate and Enrapture traveled together about four lengths behind and Star Striker in sixth position another three lengths away as they rounded the final bend. Kathakali continued to hold the edge inside the last 100 metres and Devil’s Advocate was beginning to raise a gallop. In the meantime Star Striker rallied strongly, weaving through the horses in front and flashed on to win by a length. Devil’s Advocate got the better of Kathakali near the winning post to be the runner-up.

The youngster Lovely Angel (Gaswar-Angel Face) from S.S.Faisal Hassan’s stables which is shaping up well, won the Aristocracy Cup warding off Princely Right. Tracking the leader Military Cross till the last 200 metres, Lovely Angel galloped strongly to go into the lead. Princely Right started to come up strongly, getting closer with every stride in the last 50 metres but fell short by half a length. Exclusive Lady and Military Cross finished third and fourth respectively.

Ananth Vatsalya trained Kohinoor Punch (Epicentre-Evening Bride) which was improving one position over the last five runs finally came well, in the Rani Lakshmi Bai Plate, a five and a half furlongs dash for three year maiden horses. Rock Heights, Just Once, Roma Heights and Kohinoor Punch raced in that order from the start with the others behind. Just Once improved to hit the front inside the last 300 metres and Kohinoor Punch came up around the horses in front with a strong bid and forged ahead to win comfortably. Globetrotter rallied late to beat Just Once for the second place.

J.Silvester trained Arudra (Ivory Touch-Over Power) galloped strongly under apprentice Deepak Singh to win the higher division of the Cupid Plate. Racing a close third till entering the home stretch, Arudra stepped up the momentum and drew clear. The favourite August Kranti moved well along the shortest way but found the winner too good and finished second. Deccan Queen and Ceremonious filled the frame.

The speedy Ziv (Hammerstein-Simply Beautiful) from T.Srinagesh’s yard won the lower division from start to finish. Maintaining a firm lead from the start, Ziv extended the leeway when Smashing Beauty started to challenge in the last 250 metres.  Smashing Beauty held on in second while Queen of Court took the third place ahead of Queens Necklace. Desert Bloom was withdrawn before the race.   

G.Sai Vamshi rode M.V.Narayana Rao trained Ace Star (Hymn-Meryl) to victory in the lower division of the Sunny Blossom Plate, the concluding race of the day. A handy third till entering the straight Ace Star forged ahead to go to the front and kicked on to win from the fast finishing Midnight Beauty. Romantic Champ and Ziglar finished third and fourth respectively. Pussy Galore was withdrawn after being troublesome near the gates.