Pesi Shroff trained Acclaimed (Burden of Proof-Alnasreya) produced a scintillating gallop inside the last 100 metres to win the Deccan Bookmakers Colts Championship Stakes, Gr.3 in a new course record timing at Hyderabad on Sunday. Bred at Kunigal Stud, Acclaimed sported the silks of Dr. & Mrs. Vijay Mallya representing the United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Ltd. While it was a classic double for trainer Shroff at Hyderabad, having won the Fillies’ Stakes with Amelia, a week earlier, it was the first classic win for jockey Trevor Patel.

Acclaimed was off to a good start as the gates opened but settled well towards the rear while Silver Streak headed to the front to set a speedy pace. Fastest Finger tracked the leader followed by Scenic Warrior, Arrogant Approach, Czar of Romance, Acclaimed, Ambitious Reward and Strike The Stars in that order. As they came into the straight for the final 400 metres Silver Streak was still in command and Fastest Finger was moving alongside strongly. Acclaimed was still towards the rear and Trevor finding a wall of horses in front pulled his mount left to be given a clear run. Czar of Romance was just on its heels on the wider outside. Trevor kept riding out strongly and just when it looked like the two in front would fight it out to the finish, came the son of Burden Of Proof with a terrific turn of foot, to flash past all of them and win in a new record timing on the monsoon track at this centre. Czar Of Romance also flashed along with Acclaimed but failed to get past and finished as the runner-up, half a length behind. Fastest Finger finished third ahead of Silver Streak with the first four finishing within a length.

 Trevor Patel had piloted K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s Dandelion earlier, in the Army Cup to register a double but it was the inform jockey P.S.Chouhan who was at the helm again with four wins in a card of seven races. He was astride Laguna Beach, Winds Of Victory, Super Duper and Novaya Zemlya. The first three were from the stables of L.V.R.Deshmukh while the last named came from M.V.Narayana Rao’s yard.

Super Duper (Keltos-Supercal) scored an encore in the highest category, winning the Asaf Jah VII Memorial Cup. Days of Thunder in its customary fashion cut the wind followed closely by Silver Crown and Secret Angel. Into the last furlong the two greys Secret Angel and Silver Crown rushed forward and the third one Super Duper joined the fight. With Chouhan riding out strongly, Super Duper travelled the best to finish three parts of a length ahead of Secret Angel at the winning post. Da Xia improved to be third while Silver Crown ended up fourth.

Dandelion (Gaswar-Bluegrass Gal) was ridden to a pillar to post victory by Trevor Patel in the Army Cup. The favourite Queen of the Stars moved well from an outward draw to be on the haunches of Dandelion early but failed to get to the leader when hard pressed by Suraj Narredu in the last furlong.  Golden Arrow raised a late gallop along the rails to beat Queen of the Stars for the second place.

Laguna Beach (Phoenix Tower-Rio Anna) which had scored its maiden win over a mile three weeks ago scored an encore over the extended trip in the Con Amore Cup. Ranjha set out to lead the small field of five runners with Laguna Beach in chase close behind. Chocolate Soldier, Nano Desire and Spanish Conquest raced together another six lengths behind. Inside the last 200 metres Laguna Beach took charge from Ranjha. Nano Desire came well with a challenge from behind but Laguna Beach gained momentum when Chouhan waved the stick near its eyes and sped away. Ranjha finished third another length and a half away.

Winds Of Victory (Ace-Divin Lumiere) scored a convincing maiden victory in the Fire Haven Plate. The bay colt raced behind Deal Maker and Par Excellence till approaching the final bend. Into the home stretch with two furlongs left Winds of Victory surged forward effortlessly and stretched out to extend the margin. Kintyre Princess finished second in front of Par Excellence.

D.Netto trained Power Drive (Ajaad-Desert Flame) won the Raja Saheb of Itkyal Memorial Cup. Sheridan was up in front followed closely by Power Drive. Rounding the final turn Sheridan shifted out and Power Drive rallied well on the inside to slip into the lead. Sheridan ran a bit erratic on top of the straight and dislodged the rider. Power Drive went past the winning post unchallenged by over six lengths. Alastor, Whats Up and Skylight Express filled the frame in that order.

Novaya Zemlya (Epicentre-Mia Senora) from the stables of M.V.Narayana Rao which had remained a maiden even after 31 runs finally came good in the Delage Plate, the concluding race of the day. Racing in about fifth till entering the final straight Novaya Zemlya improved on the wide outside and got stronger towards the finish to emerge victorious. Maid For Love rallied strongly under Trevor Patel but fell short by a neck at the wire.