S.A.Shehzad Abbas schooled Silver Phantom (Verglas-Flamands) made a smashing debut to lift the Godolphin Barb Million – Grade III, the feature of Monday’s races at Hyderabad. Silver Phantom jumped out smartly from the gates and headed to lead the field. Western Express soon went past and Silver Phantom preferred to settle behind in second. As the field showed up on the straight Silver Phantom rushed to take charge from the weakening Western Express. Alameda was hard ridden by A.Sandesh to bridge the gap but jockey Dasharath Singh who was specially called to guide the grey’s fortunes was at his best on Shehzad’s youngster. Lopamudra finished third after drifting out under pressure in the last furlong. Altruist was withdrawn after being troublesome near the gates. 

Laxman Singh trained Naughty Gal (European-Gaslight) pulled off a stunning upset in the R.C.T.C.Cup, a seven furlongs race for horses in the highest category which was the supporting event of the day. Price Warrior, Nasheeta and Naughty Gal raced almost together as they rounded the final turn. As they entered the straight Naughty Gal rushed to grab the lead. Sweet Candy came with a big run in the last 150 metres to challenge Naughty Gal and Vejaykeetri also flew in from the rear but both of them could not get to Naughty Gal. The filly held on by quarter of a length from Vijaykeerti while Sweet Candy was third a ‘short head’ away. Aerosmith was a non-starter in the race.

The combination of trainer Laxman Singh and jockey A.M.Tograllu continued their good run with a double. Vijays Splendour (Ikhtyar-Confluence) to a maiden win. Cheyenne led the pack of six runners over the 2400 metres distance, setting a slow pace. Vijays Splendour tracked the leader all the way from the start till entering the home straight. Inside the last two furlongs jockey A.M.Tograllu started to work his way on Vijays Splendour and the bay colt surged forward to take over the running. Shades of Victory came up with a strong gallop to challenge Vijays Splendour and the two fought out the last 150 metres with the second named prevailing by a ‘neck’ at the finish. The long-time leader Cheyenne finished third.

Winjoy (Refuse To Bend-Iies Piece) from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s stables which had found one better in its last two starts came good under Imran Chisty to lift the Division II of the Artillery Cup. Racing a handy second behind Prince of Arabia till the top of the straight, Winjoy surged ahead inside the last two furlongs and stayed well till the winning post. Any Given Time moved to be second inside the last furlong and stayed there till the post. Olive and Prince of Arabia finished third and fourth respectively, in a close finish.

Sprint Legend (Street Boss-Tafcar), a youngster from trainer K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s yard made every post a winning one in the Division I of the Chaitanya Chakram Plate, a 1100 metres dash for 3 year old maiden horses. Just on its second start Sprint Legend was taken to the front by Nilesh Rawal. Inside the last 300 metres the favourite Golden Essence came up with a strong challenge from behind but Sprint Legend kicked on gamely to stay two lengths in front at the finish. Blue Sedection and Racing Ikon filled the frame in that order.

M.Sathyanarayana schooled Exclusive Wiley (Ontario-Safinaz) won the lower division in an impressive fashion. Leading the field from the word ‘go’, Exclusive Wiley came in first on the home stretch and stretched out well to extend the lead. Rubyonrails, Ice Cave and Kohinoor Grace filled the judge’s frame with half a length and a neck separating them.

Zoheb Shaikh trained Jaz Elle (Rambus-Gil Vernet) scored an encore in the Armagnac Plate. Sent in as the firm favourite at 14-10, Jaz Elle raced a handy third behind Citi Supreme and Star Striker till approaching the last 600 metres. Into the last 300 metres, jockey A.Ashhad Asbar started to urge Jaz Elle and the filly responded readily to forge ahead. Symbol of Beauty was the only one to offer a challenge but that effort was in vain. Symbol of Beauty finished second while stable-mates All The Fun and Star Striker dead-heated for the third place.

Suraj Narredu piloted L.D’Silva’s Vocation (Multidimentional-Cacophony) to a popular victory in the Sir Bruce Plate, the concluding race of the day. Biding its time in third behind Frontline and Big Move, Vocation forged ahead nearing the distance post. Rio Rojo and Flamboyant Star came in late to finish second and third respectively.