Neil Darashah schooled Nesto (Phoenix Tower-Star Qualities) produced a sparkling gallop inside the last furlong and a half to lift the prestigious Darley Arabian Million – Grade III at Hyderabad on Monday. The bay gelding is the property of Miss S Rohini Iyengar and M/s.Manjri Horse Breeders Farm Private Limited, represented by Mr & Mrs Shapoor P Mistry.

Four youngsters lined up for the Million, a Terms sprint for 3 year old horses. Two of them, Booker Jones and Nesto had come down from Bangalore while the other two Movie Moghual and Super Falcon were Hyderabad based challengers. Super Falcon set out in front from the start with a lead of about three lengths. Nesto raced in second while Booker Jones and Movie Moghual followed close behind. Into the straight for the final run, Super Falcon had a useful lead of over five lengths. Nesto was the only one who looked to be in with a chance on top of the straight while the other two failing to respond to the urgings from their riders. The son of Phoenix Tower ran a little green when alighted to the task but Suraj Narredu got him on even keel quickly. Suraj gave just one crack and Nesto responded brilliantly to settle the issue long way from home. Super Falcon carried on finishing second while Booker Jones and Movie Moghual filled the judge’s frame in that order.

“This is my first win in a graded race and naturally I am thrilled about it” said the owner Miss Rohini Iyengar while speaking to Indiarace after leading in.  “I thank Neil and his team for all the hard work they have put, in tuning this youngster for this race” she added.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan had obtained a stay from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh against the one year’s suspension that was handed over by Hyderabad Race Club. He was declared to ride Movie Moghual in the ‘Million’ and Olympus in the Common Land Plate. The club moved their plea in the High Court and that was admitted, with the court posting the case for hearing on Friday 17^th January 2014. Following the developments the club restrained P.S.Chouhan from riding and change in riders was announced in the eleventh hour. A.M.Tograllu replaced Chouhan on Movie Moghual and A.Ashhad Asbar on Olympus. 

Lopamudra (Hymn-Code Red), a dark bay filly from the stables of Anupam Sharma scored her maiden win in the Northern Dancer Plate, a 1400 metres race for maiden 3 year old horses. Having finished second in all her three starts, Lopamudra was sent into the race as the favourite at cramped odds with experienced hand Suraj Narredu declared to ride.  Jumping out smartly from an outward draw, Lopamudra came up well to hit the front. Save The Nation moved to be second ahead of Grenadier within the first 200 metres. Inside the last 400 metres Lopamudra galloped easily in front and extended the lead to win by a little over three lengths. Save The Nation finished on to be the runner-up while Upon A Star took the third spot beating Grenadier.

Clinching Evidence (Rakti-Careless Spirit), a 10-1 shot from M Sathyanarayana’s yard made every post a winning one in the Common Land Plate, a five and a half furlongs dash for maiden 3 year old horses. Showing plenty of speed at start, Clinching Evidence hit the front under Kiran Naidu and was still there as  they came in on the home stretch. Olympus started to gain ground and Racing Ikon improving from the outside. The gap between Clinching Evidence and the fence narrowed down and Olympus was pulled out by jockey A Ashhad Asbar to make its bid from the outside. Clinching Evidence kicked on to get to the winning post first three parts of a length in front of Olympus. Racing Ikon was third another quarter of a length away. Jockey A Ashhad Asbar, the rider of Olympus raised an objection against the rider of the winner for interference inside the last 200 metres. The Stewards after reviewing the race overruled the objection.

M Sathyanarayana and Kiran Naidu pulled off a back to back double with Allianz Arena (Puerto Madero-Cape Africa) justifying the favouritism in the lower division of the Best of Fun Plate. Symbol of Honour, the second in demand tracked the leader Chayanandan till entering the final straight. Inside the last 300 metres Symbol of Honour headed past the Chayanandan and took charge. Sporting Star started to raise a challenge and Allianz Arena also got stronger from behind. Covering almost four lengths Allianz Arena moved alongside Symblo of Honour and after a keen tussle in the last 100 metres forged ahead to win by half a length. Sporting Star finished third in front of Chayanandan.

 Trainer Laman Singh also packed a double through Noble Citizen and August Kranti. Noble Citizen (Glory of Dancer-Dance Diva) with jockey A M Tograllu astride pulled off a start to finish win in the Tungabhadra Cup, the first race of the day. The 4 year old colt, carrying the top weight of 60 kilograms was taken to lead the field from the start. Chocolate Soldier raced in second about two lengths adrift, followed by Most Impressive, Baba’s Gift and Tripple Eight tailed off last. Inside the last 400 metres jockey Suraj Narredu started to urge the favourite Chocolate Soldier but Noble Citizen did not show any signs of exhaustion and continued to kick on gamely. Chocolate Soldier ran on to be second.

August Kranti (Emerald Cat-Aly Tuck) had it easy win in the Might is Right Plate. The top weighted Confidential rushed to the front after a good start and August Kranti settled well in second. On the final straight August Kranti moved fluently to surge past Confidential without much effort and stayed well. Staminoizd was third another five lengths away.

K Satheesh trained Deal Maker (Juniper-Star Gold) showed plenty of speed en-route to a pillar to post victory in the higher division of the Mountain Lily Plate. The 4 year old gelding rushed to the lead at start, came in to the home stretch with a lead of about two lengths and drew away to win easily. Globetrotter was in futile chase all through the race. Nano Belle and Secret Angel finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Donald Netto’s ward Elenor (Mathematician-Chesterford) raised a strong gallop inside the last 400 metres to win the lower division. Bold Attack set out on a start to finish bid and the strongly supported Twinklingofaneye was in chase. Elenor and Beau Ideal raced together another two lengths away with Elenor along the inner rails. As they entered the last two furlongs Twinklingofaneye was being ridden out to get to the leader but the filly was not producing the required acceleration. Elenor was pulled left by jockey Kuldeep Sing to make its bid as the passed the 400 metres board and with a strong thrust raced ahead. Twinklingofaneye finished second while Beau Ideal took the third spot from the weakening Bold Attack.

The speedy Dazzling Princess (Hymn-Broken Silence) from Faiyaz Shaikh’s stables made it a start to finish affair in the higher division of the Best of Fun Plate, the concluding race of the day. The 6 year old was well supported towards race time backed down to 2-1. Dazzling Princess led all the way from the word ‘go’ with a lead of about two lengths till turning for home and extended it on entering the straight. Star Striker improved late to finish second in front of Carson Troy and Devils Advocate. Star Experience was withdrawn before the race. 

For the professionals Trainers Laxman Singh and M.Sathyanarayana scored a double each while jockeys Suraj Narredu and Kiran Naidu completed a brace for themselves.