Jockey P.S.Chouhan hogged the limelight on Sunday at Hyderabad, winning four races on the trot starting from the opener. Three of the winners were trained by L.V.R.Deshmukh while the other by young Srinivas Reddy. With the quadruple P.S.Chouhan is now on his last lap to join the elite 1000 club.

Hyderabad Race Club which usually boasts of a house-full of nine races had only seven races for Sunday’s card which lacked both in quantity and quality. Four races among them were won by horses at odds that were unbackable while two were firm favourites which paid a little more than Evens and a rank outsider scoring in the remaining one race. While the local races were more of academic interest with the railbirds only having to applaud the favourites, as the raced past the winning post, they were probably more involved in intervenue betting over the Pune races.   

Deshmukh’s Fastest Finger (Holy Roman Emperor-Fragrant) decimated the opposition in the Wanaparthy Cup, which featured the day’s card. Laurel Canyon raced in front from the start with Fastest Finger running steady in second. Approaching the last 600 metres Fastest Finger was travelling so well that Chouhan preferred to make his way between the inner rails and Laurel Canyon. As they straightened up Fastest Finger streaked through to take charge and won drawing without having to shed any sweat. Sanjaa got the better of Laurel Canyon in the closing stages for the second place.

Another youngster from Deshmukh’s yard, Laguna Beach (Phoenix Tower-Rio Anna) shed her maiden status in the Deccan Star Plate, a mile trip for maiden 3 year old horses. Chouhan had settled Laguna Beach in about fifth position while Nano Dame called the shots in front. Into the home stretch Nano Dame tired out and Ice Barrier moved to the front. Laguna Beach had in the meanwhile moved effortlessly to be second. Inside the last 300 metres Deshmukh’s filly forged ahead with ease and completed the formality. Ice Barrier held on to finish second from Machine Gun. Midnight in Paris was a non-starter in the race.

M.Srinivas Reddy trained Enigma (Epicentre-Svetlana) won the Rave Review Cup giving P.S.Chouhan another arm chair ride. Travelling easily in about fifth position, all along close to the inner fence while Kohinoor Revanta was up in front followed by Sweet Child O Mine, See My Style and Sarvagnya. Entering the final straight, Enigma moved to take over the running with the rest of the six runners looking to be in hopeless chase. Shades of Victory came from the rear to take the second spot ahead of Kohinoor Revanta.

Kallu Mama (Aussie Rules-Khalimia), another of Deshmukh’s ward which had been summered at Bangalore was sent in as money back favourite in the Indiscretion Plate, the opening race of the day. Dazzling Princess tried to go on a start to finish bid. Kallu Mama which tracked the leader along the inner rails about three lengths away. Inside the last 400 metres, Dazzling Princess was hard at work to stay in front but the favourite Kallu Mama was always travelling on a tight rein and when Chouhan released the brakes just moved forward effortlessly. Dazzling Princess stayed on in second place. Kohinoor Punch and Staminoizd filled the frame.

S.A.Shehzad Abbas trained Dancing in The Rain (Multidimensional-Adulate) scored an encore in the Divine Dreams Plate. The 3 year old filly had won a 5 1/2 furlongs dash at Bangalore before it moved back to its home centre. The short priced favourite was ridden in check in about fourth position till the final bend. On entering the straight jockey Imran tried to make his way on Dancing in The Rain between the front runners Kianoosh and Grenada. Not finding a clear path, Imran Khan pulled the filly right to move along the rails and drew clear in a trice. Imran had more on hand inside the 100 metres and eased the filly after looking back. Princely Right beat Grenada for the second place. Kianoosh was fourth.

Anupam Sharma trained Ashok Chakra (Rebuttal-Belinda) justified the favouritism in the lower division of the Dashmesh Stud Plate. The 4 year old gelding which was improving with every run in its last four outings had finished second to run away winner Baazigar a fortnight ago. Racing a close second behind Best Pal till the last 400 metres Ashok Chakra surged to the lead and was eased up before passing the winning post. Secret Angel beat the rest to take the second place. Elegant Approach and Exclusive filled the frame in that order.

Wedding Gift (Royal Kingdom-Virginia Flapper) pulled off a stunning upset in the higher division of the Dashmesh Stud Plate. After finishing down the field in both its runs this monsoon, Wedding Gift rallied strongly under G.Sai Vamshi to get the better of Marquise inside the last 50 metres. Marquise, Power Planet, Kohinoor Supreme and Cannon Law were fighting it out as they came into the last 200 metres. Wedding Gift waited behind them for a split and when he found one, moved strongly. Marquise in the meanwhile had taken charge. Wedding Gift came up with big strides and got the better of Marquise.