L V R Deshmukh trained Fastest Finger (Holy Roman Emperor-Fragran) stormed home by over four lengths in the Deccan Bookmakers Golconda 2000 Guineas – Grade II. Twelve 3 year olds faced the starter for the second classic of the Hyderabad Winter Races. Bangalore was represented by five horses which included the top two favourites for the race, Agostini and Czar of Romance. Three horses had come down from Western India and the remaining four were local challengers.

There was a mishap in the race as the field approached the final bend with Agostini at the receiving end. Socrates after racing close behind the leader Silver Streak till the last 800 metres started to fall back. Agostini, which was just beginning to make its move clipped Socrates and dislodged the rider. Jockey P Trevor escaped unhurt.  

Silver Streak with A Sandesh astride set out on a start to finish mission and was continuing to bowl along in front as they came into the home stretch. Fastest Finger tracking the leader all the way from the start shifted gears moving into the last 400 metres and forged ahead smoothly. Galiat and Dynamo started to raise a strong gallop inside the last 150 metres but Fastest Finger had gone clear by over four lengths under P S Chouhan. Galiat, Dynamo and Silver Streak filled the frame in that order in a close finish.  

Jockey P S Chouhan and trainer L V R Deshmukh were the only professionals to score a double on the day.  Machine Gun (Rebuttal-Maria T) scored a pillar to post win in the higher division of the Hyderabad Cup. While Machine Gun justified the favouritism, the second in demand Hometown Hero ridden by Suraj Narredu came in a bit late to be the runner-up, missing the wire by quarter of a length. Hometown Hero raced in about sixth position early and moved up one place as the headed past the last 800 metres. Turning for home Suraj took his mount Hometown Hero along the wide gap towards the fence and inched closer with every stride in the last 150 metres but failed to collar Machine Gun. Any Given Time and In Reality finished third and fourth respectively.

The lower division was won by Laxman Singh trained Tejaswani (Princely Heir-I Have A Dream), which completed a hat-trick. The 3 year old filly, a winner over six and seven furlongs earlier, won the mile trip in a run-away fashion. Showing plenty of speed at the start, Tejaswani headed quickly to lead the field under Imran Chisty, followed by Winjoy and Coral Springs. Once into the straight, Tejaswini kept increasing the lead and drew away to win by over eight lengths. Jaden Gil came in late to get the better of Winjoy for the second place.

K Satheesh trained Snow Bird (Oath-X Factor), winner of the Bangalore Oaks, early this year, claimed the Delhi Race Club Trophy beating the favourite Vijayshaurya over the 2200 metres trip. Don Valentino led the field of seven from the start followed by Front Line, Vijayshourya, Snow Bird, Vijay Keerti, Dark Avenger and Qinghuangdao in that order. As they rounded the turn Vijayshourya and Snow Bird made their move at the same juncture to join Don Valentino and Front Line in front. Snow Bird galloped fluently from the outside to take charge with 300 metres left from the finish and drew clear to beat Vijayshourya. Don Valentino and Dark Avenger filled the frame in that order.

Anupam Sharma trained Symbol of Honour (Rebuttal-Seattle Swan) made it a start to finish affair in the Bonzer Cup. This was the tenth winner for apprentice K Mukesh Kumar. Symbol of Honour came in with a lead of over three lengths into the home stretch. Crown Castle and Flower of Temba were trying their best to get to the leader. Care Less Love which was towards the rear of the field as they entered the straight covered a lot of ground along the inner rails and finished a close second. Flower of Temba and Crown Castle filled the frame in that order.

L D’Silva trained Camborne (Equitable-Ferrari) in its third outing, won the Own Vision Plate in taking style. Leading the field of six juveniles over the five and a half furlongs trip, the favourite Camborne came in about three lengths clear of Olympus, the nearest challenger and stretched out well without being extended. Kohinoor Grace and Happy Guy warmed up together inside the last 100 metres to take the second and third spot respectively with just a ‘head’ separating them.

Amazon Princess (Major Impact-Jazzego) from Zoheb Shaikh’s yard scored an upset win in the Crack Regiment Plate. Dazzling Princess led from the start and Amazon Princess was in chase till mid-way up the straight. Inside the last 200 metres Amazon Princess picked up speed and headed past the leader and stayed well. Machintosh managed to get the better of Dazzling Princess for the second place. Cannon Law was withdrawn before the start of the race.

S.S.Faisal Hassan trained Max Baby (Epicentre-Cornelia) which had scored a hat-trick during the monsoon season came good to win the Zurbaran Plate, the concluding race of the day under apprentice Akshay Kumar. After disputing the lead with Ponte Verdi in the first furlong of the mile trip, Max Baby settled in fourth when Rohini Star and Lioness Heart moved forward to be in close attendance with the leader. Into the final 400 metres, Lioness Heart surged forward to take charge and was galloping well. Max Baby shifted left to make its bid and when Akshay Kumar started to urge, the 6 year old got stronger with every stride and went ahead by a length from Lioness Heart.