Laxman Singh trained Hidden Destiny (Eljohar-Lucky Mining) was the only upset on a day dominated by favourites at Hyderabad on Sunday. The 6 year old held on gamely to lift the Umraolal Gupta Memorial Cup, a five furlongs scurry for horses in the highest category, the feature of the eight races card.

Taking a smart start from an outward draw, Hidden Destiny set out on a start to finish mission under A.M.Tograllu, followed closely by Street Magic, Power Drive and Mr.Khoashteep rallying along the rails. Into the last furlong Hidden Destiny continued to hold the advantage with Street Magic in hot chase. Mr.Khoashteep was pulled out for a clear run in the last 100 metres. The gelding came with a flourish towards the closing stages but failed to get to Hidden Destiny by half a length. Street Magic finished third ahead of Power Planet.

Laxman Singh completed a treble with the other two winners being Black Bolt and Homely Helo. Jockey A.M.Tograllu was astride the second named while Deep Shanker piloted the other. Jockey Suraj Narredu who had a super Saturday at Bangalore riding six winners continued to be in the limelight booting home three winners, all in a row. Two of them, Rustic Gal and Field Commander were from Donald Netto’s yard while the other being Ice Lolly from the stables of L’D’Silva. Deep Shanker also had a double.   

Rustic Gal (Mr.Mellon-Hyacinth), whose last win was a year ago scored a run-away victory under Suraj Narredu in the division III of the Artillery Cup. Sent in as the favourite at 11- 10, Rustic Gal moved around Maharadhi and Okai Okai Okai as the rounded the final turn and stretched out effortlessly to win by a lengthening margin. Handsome Hawn which was trailing the field till the top of the straight came with a long stretched run to beat Maharadhi for the second place Green Bay was third in the same frame.

L.D’Silva trained Ice Lolly (Chatham Strait-Secret Paradise) was given a forceful ride by Suraj Narredu to win the higher division of the Artillery Cup. Win And Enjoy on a start to finish bid was joined by the favourite Yet Again as the came into the last 250 metres. Suraj guided Ice Lolly between the two and the filly responded readily to accelerate and stretched out well to spare over a length at the finish. Sweety Girl which did not get a clear passage as they approached the distance post was pulled out by Imran Chisty and the filly came in late to get the better of Yet Again on the post for the second place. Imran Chisty raised an objection against Suraj Narredu for interference on the straight. The Stewards overruled the objection.

Field Commander (Rebuttal-Fantasy Moon) was the market rage, being backed down to 10-7 ‘on’ in the lower division of the Chilli Girl Plate. Eight runners took the start and Field Commander was the slowest out of the gates. Jockey Suraj Narredu did not hurry up with his mount and improved gradually along the fence. With about 300 metres left from home Machintosh surged ahead of Golden Adagio and Field Commander was pulled out to make a bid from the outside. Netto’s ward started to gain ground but was shifting in with Suraj using the stick on his left. Correcting his mount at the nick of time Suraj rode out Field Commander to be half a length ahead of Machintosh at the wire. Jockey Imran Chisty of Machintosh lodged an objection against Suraj Narredu for shifting in and bumping him in the last 100 metres and that was overruled by the Stewards. Golden Adagio finished third.

Laxman Singh’s first win of the day was Black Bolt (Ivory Touch-Negress Doll)  in the Fire Haven Cup. The 4 year old which is in top form completed a hat-trick. Jockey Deep Shanker was the one in command on all the three wins. The dark bay colt was backed to the exclusion of the other runners for the sprint while the price on Santa Monica eased out. Hidden Power led the field as the field was despatched and Black Bolt moved early to track the leader at arm’s length.  Passing the 400 metres board on the straight Black Bolt forged ahead to take charge and built up a useful lead. Santa Monica began to gain ground towards the closing stages with the rider Suraj Narredu giving his best but the favourite held on to win by quarter of a length. Baazigar finished third another three parts of a length adrift.

Laxman ended the day with Homely Helo (Diffident-Girl From Ascot) in the higher division of the Chilli Girl Plate, the concluding race of the day. Homely Helo which was disqualified after finishing first, for not maintaining a straight course immediately after jumping out, in its last essay a week ago made every post a winning one over the 1200 metres trip. Jumping out from the innermost draw this time, Homely Helo headed to lead the field from the start and maintained a straight course. Jockey A.M.Tograllu eased up Homely Helo towards the closing stages and Tamanna along with Cannon Ten closed up to finish second and third respectively.

Jockey Deep Shanker after winning on Black Bolt pulled off a back to back double through K.Satheesh schooled Sensei (Noverre-Bridgeofsighs) in the Mount Everest Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for 3 year old maiden horses. Racing a handy third till passing the 800 metres marker, Sensei improved to be second behind Dad’s Dollar and once on the home stretch surged forward with ease and drew away to be over six lengths at the finish. Dad’s Dollar just about managed to hold on to the second place from the late finishing Lightning Streak.

Anupam Sharma trained Symbol of Victory (Sedgefield-Broken Silence) was given a good ride by apprentice K.Mukesh Kumar to win the Aberader Plate, the first race of the day. Racing in about fourth till the last 600 metres, Symbol of Victory moved around to join the leader Vijays Grandeour as they approached the last 400 metres. The two were engaged in a duel in the last furlong and Symbol of Victory prevailed over Vijays Grandeour by half a length at the finish. Princess Cruise and Musk Melon flashed on late to finish third and fourth respectively in a close finish.