Narendra Lagad trained Native Knight (Placerville-Native Tactics) landed the Grade 1 President of India Gold Cup at Hyderabad, contrary to popular expectations. The 7 year old, winner of the Gr.1 Stayers’ Cup at Kolkata this year displayed plenty of zest and stamina while adding a second Grade 1 feather to its cap at the fag end of its career. Western India based trainer Narendra Lagad has to be complimented for keeping this son of Placerville loaded with stamina at this age. Owned by Begum Shaherbanoo Lagad representing M/s. Chetak Horse Racing Pvt Ltd., Native Knight was given a perfect ride by Dashrath Singh.

Astapi set out to cut the wind from the start in a decent clip. Camorra tracked the leader in second followed closely by Mountain Range, Native Knight, Tintinnabulation, Borsalino and Wind Stream as the field of seven headed past the back-stretch. Rounding the final bend Astapi continued to stay in front with Camorra and Native Knight closing in. Wind Stream and Borsalino also started to get up on the outside and the favourite Tintinnabulation found a wall of horses and had to be pulled out. Dashrath Singh was forceful on Native Knight and bay gelding surged forward to take charge inside the last 150 metres. Wind Stream managed to beat the rest to take the runner-up berth while Borsalino and Astapi filled the frame in that order. Tintinnabulation looked to be out of steam when asked for an effort on top of the straight and ended up a tame fifth. The winner of the Invitation Cup at Kolkata and the Bangalore St. Leger recently probably did not relish the wet surface.

S.Dominic trained Rock With U (Noverre-Noble Excellency) which has missed the winner’s enclosure only once in its five starts completed a hat-trick in the Ybrant Million, a six furlongs sprint for 3 year olds in category II. Santa Monica hit the front at start and held forte till the last 400 metres. Accuracy and Cristoffe were tracking close behind with Galiat travelling about four off the fence. Rock With U was still in fifth as the field showed up for the final run. Inside the last 300 metres Goliat moved swiftly from the outside to go to the front but in the process veered in dangerously almost going over Cristoffee. Galiat had taken a lead of over three lengths near the last 100 metres when Rock With U started to cover ground rapidly with the rider P.S.Chouhan using all his strength. Rock With U managed to snatch the win from Galiat by a hairline. Accuracy and Cristoffe filled the frame in that order. There was a steward’s enquiry immediately after the race and Ch.K.Chary, the rider of Galiat was suspended for four race days for dangerous riding.

Golden Queen (Ikhtyar-Killarney) from the stables of Laxman Singh rallied strongly under A.M.Tograllu to complete an encore in the Soli And Gool Poonawalla Memorial Gold Cup, a 1200 metres sprint for horses in the highest category. Elenor set the pace and Golden Queen tracked the leader on its haunches. Inside the last 300 metres Golden Queen moved alongside Elenor and forged ahead. Chal Bhai Chal was up with a challenge in the last 100 metres but Golden Queen extended well to be over two lengths in front at the finish. Ashwa Shakti finished third ahead of Elenor.

Jockey Tograllu had in the earlier race driven Faiyaz Shaikh trained Marquise (Sharp Attack-Albuquerque) to victory in the Rani Rudramma Devi Cup. Marquise had missed the winning berth narrowly in its previous two runs but made amends this time under A.M.Tograllu. Racing a close second behind Rohini Star all the till entering the final straight, Marquise slipped in along the inner fence and surged forward readily. Pacific Star made a bid towards the closing stages but Marquise stayed well to be home and dry. Power Planet and Hidden Power filled the frame.

Ananth Vatsalya started off the day with his ward Kohinoor Thunder (Epicentre-Gracious Bay) lifting the opener, the Half A Crown Cup in a thrilling finish. Kohinoor Thunder headed to lead the field and Graceland was in close attendance. Inside the last 200 metres Graceland started to make its bid strongly and joined Kohinoor Thunder. The two fought out every inch of the last 100 metres and Nilesh Rawal with a brilliant piece of riding on Kohinoor Thunder prevailed by a ‘short head’ at the wire. Field Smasher finished third.

L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Winjoy (Refuse to Bend-Iies Piece) won the higher division of the Golconda Trophy. Azaiba and Glorious View disputed the lead and Winjoy had gradually improved along the inner rails to be a close third as they turned for home. Jockey P.Venkat brought Winjoy along the rails and moved away from Azaiba. Sweet Candy improved to be third.

The hero of the day, jockey Dashrath Singh who had ridden Native Knight to victory in the big one of the day completed a double through M.V.Narayana Rao trained Okai Okai Okai (Epicentre-Cannon Glow) in the lower division, the concluding race of the day. Prince of Arabia was in the lead from the beginning and Okai Okai Okai had improved gradually to be in second as the field approached the final turn. Inside the last 300 metres Okai Okai Okai went ahead easily and stayed well. Compromise came up fast towards the closing stages to beat Oasis Vision for the second place.