Mystical Knight (Ontario-Royal Applause) the lesser fancied of the three runners from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s stables lifted the Totaram’s Cup, which featured Monday’s nine race card at Hyderabad. Front Line in its customary fashion got to the front at start to lead. Da Xia tracked the leader followed by Snow Bird, Vijayshaurya, Brahmani, Vijaykeerti and Mystical Knight. The same order followed till passing the 800 metres board from where Mystical Knight started to make inroads through horses to be at a striking third position by the time the field moved into the straight. Vijayshaurya was quick to take charge on the straight. Mystical Knight shifted right when asked for an effort and took some time to raise a gallop but apprentice P.Venkat kept urging his mount and with a splendid turn of foot flashed past Vijayshaurya to win. Snow Bird and Brahmani filled the frame.  

Sherman Oaks (Multidimensional-Amstel) from the stables of L.D’Dilva scored an encore in the A.P.Heritage Cup, the added attraction of the day’s racing. Price Warrior set the pace followed closely by Vijay’s Jet, Sherman Oaks, Decathlon, Jabel Queen and Racing Queen. Nearing the final bend the favourite Decathlon which was beginning to make a move suddenly started to fade out alarmingly and it was reported after the race that it had burst its blood vessel. Into the last two furlongs Vijays Jet headed to the front but was soon overpowered by Sherman Oaks which came with a flourish under Suraj Narredu. Price Warrior and Jabel Queen filled the frame. Racing Queen took the fifth place while the favourite Decathlon just finished the course for the record.

Fancied runners took a backset on the day with the biggest bombshell being dropped in the lower division of the Astana Plate. Sk.Kassam trained Triple Eight (Hymn-Freedom) which had no recent form to merit any attention surprised everyone with a pillar to post win which paid a whopping dividend of Rs.762 for a fiver. Jockey R.B.Shinde who had not seen the winning post for a long time now, took Tripple Eight to the front at start and continued to be there as they entered the home stretch. Moghul Emperor and Khalis Gold started to make their bid on the straight but Tripple Eight seemed to be in a galloping mood and drew away. Architect came in late to take the second spot from Moghul Emperor.

Apprentice Akshay Kumar rode S.S.Faisal Hassan trained Max Baby to a start to finish victory, in the opener, the higher division. Taking a good start from an outward draw Max Baby got to the front quickly and moved towards the inner rails gradually. Into the last 200 metres See My Style started to make a bid along the rails but Max Baby kicked on with Akshay using his hands well. Symbol of Honour and the favourite Baba’s Gift finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer K.Satheesh was the most successful professional, saddling a treble through Ice Barrier, All For Fun and Shimmering Ice. The last two named were ridden by B.Dileep. Ice Barrier (Itaquere Power-Choose Wisely) who had found one better in her previous two outings finally came good to score her maiden win in the Royal Tern Plate. Ice Barrier took a good start to be in front early but let the speedy Ranjha take over within 100 metres from the start. After passing the 600 metres board Ranjha tired out and Ice Barrier moved forward to take the lead. Moving past the two furlongs pole Ice Barrier increased the lead to be over four lengths from the nearest challenger Machine Gun. Golden Art came with a sustained effort towards the closing stages but was found to be lugging in badly and finished three parts of a length behind Ice Barrier. Machine Gun was third another 3 ½ lengths behind.

All The Fun (Epicentre-Supreme Fantasy) which hadn’t won a race in 30 outings, finally shed her maiden ranks in the Dynamic Dancer Cup. The favourite Citi Supreme was withdrawn after refusing to get into the gates and a reduced field of eleven runners took the start. Jaden Gil moved in the centre of the track to take over the lead from Ponte Verdi inside the last 300 metres. The Best Man came strongly into contention from behind and looked to be travelling the better from Jaden Gil. All The Fun travelling towards the rear all the way till the last 300 metres sported a pair of wings and with a sizzling gallop flew past the stable companion The Best Man. Jaden Gil finished third.

Shimmering Ice (Rebuttal-Springbrakemistake) won the lower division of the Gentleman’s Deal Plate. Bold Attack headed the field with a quick start and had a lead of over three lengths as they came into the straight. Goldie and Shimmering Ice were being ridden out and both covered ground rapidly inside the last 50 metres. Shimmering Ice just managed to put its head in front on the last stride. Kohinoor Desire and Star Wings finished third and fourth respectively.   

Beau Ideal (Don Micheletto-Shades of Beauty) scored an impressive victory in the higher division to give the trainer jockey combination of D’Silva and Suraj Narredu a double. The 3 year old filly was sent off at ‘half money’ against her nine rivals. Off to a splendid start from draw one, Beau Ideal set out to lead the field. Into the home stretch Beau Ideal was still ridden on a tight rein by Suraj Narredu. Passing the distance post Suraj loosened the grip and the filly started to stride out brilliantly, moving away from the rest without being extended. Princely Right, Allianz Arena and Pakat Pakat Pakat filled the frame in that order.

R.H.Sequeira trained Komo Komo Komo (Ivory Touch-Primera) won the Karimnagar Plate, a 5 ½ furlongs dash. The favourite Rajkumar set off on a start to finish mission, followed by Komo Komo Komo. Rajkumar had a three lengths lead as they came into the home stretch but started to wane out with 300 metres left from the finish. Komo Komo Komo grabbed the lead quickly and kicked on to stay in front of the late finishing Deccan Queen. Crimson Look took the third place in front of Grenada.

For the professionals trainer K.Satheesh pulled off a treble while trainer L.D’Silva, Jockeys Suraj Narredu and B.Dileep scored a double each.