Donald Netto trained Always Bullish (Storm Trooper-Blue Sonata) which has hit a purple patch in its career won the Qutab Shahi Million, the feature event of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. This was the fourth successive win of Always Bullish. Four runners lined up for this prestigious Million to be run over 1600 metres.  Kohinoor Wish was supported to the hilt in the betting despite the 7 year old starting off at a disadvantage of two kilograms over-weight. Golden Queen led the field from the start, followed closely by Always Bullish and the other two, Machiavellianism and Kohinoor Wish racing together close behind. Inside the last 400 metres, young Kuldeep Singh started to ride out Always Bullish and the gelding rushed forward readily to take charge. Kohinoor Wish was already under pressure and the top weighted Machiavellianism shifted in towards the fence after not getting a clear path from the outside. Always Bullish kept going well to keep Machiavellianism at bay and win by three parts of a length. Kohinoor Wish was a tame third.   

The combination of trainer Laxman Singh and jockey A.M.Tograllu successfully pulled off a treble. Ray of Light, Dance to Destiny and Whats Up were the successful ones from the stable. Jockey A.M.Tograllu had one of the easiest wins of his career when he rode Ray of Light (Ace-Radiate) to a runaway victory in the Sikander-E-aazam Cup, The opening race of the day. The daughter of Ace, which had opted out of the Derby, was sent in as‘money back’ favourite among the six contenders for the sprint. Shooting into the lead right from the start, Ray of Light came into the home stretch with a sizable lead and stretched out without being extended. For the record True Haven finished second ahead of Any Given Day and Goldie.

Dance to Destiny (Ikthyar-Maya) made a smashing debut in the Gangotri Plate, a five and a half furlongs dash for 3 year old maiden horses. The chestnut filly was off to a quick start and leading all the way, extended the margin to over six lengths on the straight. Golden Silence was in chase all along the trip. Kohinoor Grace was third another two lengths adrift.

Whats Up (Mathematecian-Lyricist) completed a treble for the stable in the Nelston Plate. Second in demand Macintosh set off on a start to finish mission and looked good even as they passed the distance marker with a lead of over three lengths. Whats Up in about sixth position as the came into the straight took some time to raise a gallop but once she did there was no stopping her. The filly sped past Macintosh to spare a length at the wire. Flower of Temba and Guiding Spirit finished third and fourth respectively.

The speedy Dazzling Empress (Case Law-Access Speed) from Anupam Sharma’s yard, which had won five races on the trot before finishing third to Ashwa Shakti in its last essay bounced back to winning ways in the Telengana Cup. The favourite Queen of the Stars and Kianoosh started to dispute the lead and Dazzling Empress settled well in third about two lengths behind. Inside the last 300 metres jockey Carlos Henrique began to urge Dazzling Empress with just his hands and heels and the filly responded brilliantly to move ahead with utmost ease and stretch out by five lengths. Queen of the Stars held on to finish second from Al Sarraah.

Anupam Sharma saddled a double the 7 year old Elzaam (Tirol-Shark Games) also owned by him made it a near start to finish win in the Starsky Plate, the concluding race of the day. Taking charge within the first 100 metres after the start, Elzaam came in with a two lengths lead on the final straight. The mare kicked on gamely to win by four lengths. Cascading Glory managed to get the better of Aarohan for the second place. Flower Drum finished fourth. 

Leo D’Silva trained Laurel Canyon (Noverre-Shao) scored an encore in thePrince Pradeep Cup. The 5 year old improved to be a close third behind Equalizer and Vijays Triumph as they approached the last 600 metres after traveling second last in the early part. Inside the last 250 metres Laurel Canyon stepped up the momentum when jockey A.Sandesh started to work his way and raced ahead to the front. Winds And Waves came up with a strong challenge but failed to get to the ultimate winner. Vijays Triumph and Kohinoor Punch finished third and fourth respectively.

R.H.Sequeira schooled Ek Ek Ek (Oath-Baaderah) on debut, trounced the opposition in the Dark Angel Plate. The 4 year old filly which was withdrawn on veterinary grounds twice when accepted to run during the last Monsoon season was sent in as the favourite at 11-10. Promotion from the inside draw and Ek Ek Ek from the outer most draw were the smartest out of the gates and the two matched strides till the top of the straight. Ek Ek Ek forged ahead from the weakening Promotion and drew away to win unchallenged. Lips Locking, Musk Melon and Stamonoized finished together for the minor places in that order.

M.Sathyanarayana trained Street Magic (Mathematecian-Galway) score an upset win in the R.W.I.T.C.Cup. The speedy Days of Thunder set out in front as the gates opened. Street Magic surged forward to take charge as they moved into the last two furlongs. Ashwa Shakti waited close to the fence in about fifth or sixth till turning for home and slipped in through the shortest way to challenge Street Magic. Ashwa Shakti got closer with every stride in the last 100 metres but failed to collar Street Magic by a ‘head’. Young Soldier was finishing on to take the third spot. Hard Kingdom finished fourth while the favourite Dusty Lady was never in the hunt.