The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr2) was bereft of any competitive interest and the only exciting prospect was of the manner in which Murioi would bring about his fifth career win, over the mile-and-quarter, the trip  he essayed but once before but had finished in the rut. That was in the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby last summer, when was routed by Alandair. However, Murioi extracted sweet revenge when he thumped Alaindair and company in the Deltin Casinos Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) a few Sundays back.

Back on track for his prep race before the Indian Derby, Murioi impressed even more and galloped over the 2000m Ruia Gold Cup majestically. Mars made the tactical forward move to set a steady pace and led by more than five lengths to Murioi from the start, with Swashbuckler following Murioi another couple of lengths away.

Murioi forged past Mars at the turn and jockey B Sreekanth didn’t even test him an ounce. The S Ganapathy trainee, owned by turf baron Dr MAM Ramaswamy, sailed ahead and away effortlessly from his two hapless opponents. Jockey Sreekanth exuded minimal force as Murioi thundered past the grand stands setting off applause and admiration from the crowd. The manner of victory was astounding and Murioi surely has made a strong statement on his chances in the Indian Derby. Now Jeremiah too has notched an impressive victory over the distance, but one is bound to feel that the grey, who has been on a winning streak, will have to lift his game higher in the big one, going by the superb victory that Murioi registered. Murioi’s homestretch run was almost akin to his backstretch gallop! And his timing of an impressive 2:01:66 was just off the course record of 2:01:15, which adds to Murioi’s stocks. Murioi and Jeremiah now seem the frontline contenders for the Indian Derby.

Intesar (Placerville – Indistinto) was superbly ridden by jockey SP Ranajane who is growing in confidence and riding ably particularly this season. He rallied around and joined a toughly fighting bunch ahead and timed his run to perfection.

Capitano and Song of Sparrow led the field into the straight. Soon Fontanelle took over and had Mykonos breathing down her neck. War Horse made an aggressive move as he switched inwards to take a narrow gap between horses. Mykonos was not quickening despite Sandesh’s al out effort. War Horse had barely put his nose in front when Intesar arrived with a speedy gallop to pip War Horse and post a thrilling win.

Wentworth (Multidimensional – Star Supremacy) bolted in to an impressive victory far easier than expected. The Bezan Chenoy trained gelding tore away from his rivals once into the straight and bounded forward to win the General Obaidullah Khan Trophy pulling away. He got past Antonius Maximus without encountering any resistance and built a huge lead in no time to settle the issue long way from home. Wentworth showed plenty of stamina and matched with speed to make it a no contest, moments on entering the straight.

Trainer Malesh Narredu and his nephew Suraj combined to score a well-backed double starting the day on a winning note with Superlicious. Suraj wasted no time in hitting the front and got a good gallop going out of the filly. She had Magic Vision and Archimedes in close attendance, but Superlicious free-wheeled further away once they turned for home. Suraj started to ride out midway in the straight and galloped away to score a comfortable victory.

Samba Warrior warmed up nicely in the latter half of the straight and finished on well to take the runner-up spot. Fleetwood Mac came from far behind to end in the money. Samba Warrior looked good in his finish and would be worth following in his next outing.

Suraj then partnered Establish Predator (Sussex – Brindisi) to a contrasting come-from-behind victory. It was Star Prince and Sound of River who led them into the straight. Thunder Star was working hard to stay in contention but was not progressing much. Establish Predator started to mount a serious challenge approaching the distance post. Admas Prince too was gaining on the front bunch as was Tuscania. In the final furlong, Establish Predator grew stronger and surged into the lead in the last 150 meters or so, clearly finishing on fastest. Tuscania held on to the second spot ahead of Adams Prince.

Malkia (Glory of Dancer – Rubyanne) put in a super run in the homestretch to score a convincing maiden victory beating favourite Song Saa with ease. Sitting at the rear with only one behind her, Malkia improved positions at the turn. Song Saa by then had barely taken over the running. Malkia trained by B Prakash, unleashed a powerful gallop in the final furlong to speed past Song Saa and post her first win. Song Saa was overwhelmed and had to be content with the runner up slot. Fabulous Florence ended a close third without threatening the winner.

Debutante Rule Downunder (Aussie Rules – Fatat Alarab) showed splendid form and fighting qualities as he downed another debutante Constantine in the later stages of the race.

Great Expectation hit the front soon on start with High Expectation, Speed King, who had veered slight out on the jump, and Constantine following close behind. Rule Downunder was right behind this bunch.

Into the straight, Constantine slipped through the inner rails and shot into the lead, getting past Great Expectation with ease. Constantine looked good heading for the distance post but soon Rule Downunder started to accelerate from the outside. He got past Great Expectation and went all out in chase of Constantine. Rule Downunder finished on powerfully to collar Constantine strides from the winning post to secure a well compiled victory. Constantine may have been a touch unlucky to have done everything right and going down in the last few meters. Great Expectation had a good educative outing and he did well to end third.

Rajsamman (Hymn – Castle Beauty) shot into the lead in a tightly packed bunch and on turning for home, accelerated fluently to run away from the field. Favourite Vixen  was never in the hunt once he got blocked by a wall of horses. Rajsamman galloped to victory unchallenged to stay well ahead of the rest. Adios Amigo ran on the finish a decent second while Three Roses improved positions to end in the money.

Scarlet of Hope (Alnasr Alwasheek – Arabian Lady) made her maiden win a memorable one as she galloped fluently all the way from the gates to the winning post. Shooting off into the lead soon on start, Scarlet of Hope looked better and better as she chugged into the homestretch.

Once into the straight, Scarlet of Hope carried on her good work and amassed a winning lead in quick time. Blue Bay was not getting anywhere close to Scarlet of Hope. Super Bolt was trying hard to stay in contention. Tempest was covering ground but had too much to cover as Scarlet of Hope galloped on relentlessly and keeping the momentum going all through to the winning post. Gran Amigo improved a couple of notches to end in the frame following Tempest and Blue Bay home.

For the professionals, trainer Malesh Narredu and jockey Suraj Narredu combined to score a double.