Nefyn (Senure-Machrihanish), the 8 year old ‘Handsome’ from Bezan Chenoy’s yard was given an impeccable ride by Jimmy Fortune to win the Sprinters’ Cup – Grade I for the second time in a row. It was another feather in the cap for Manjri Stud, the breeders of Nefyn. The chestnut gelding sported the silks of Mr. Dilip Thomas, a sporting owner who jointly owns Nefyn with Mr. & Mrs. Shapoor P Mistry. An elated Mr. Thomas said after receiving the trophy, “I am now relieved of the haunting memories of Royal Aberdeen (which could not make it to the Sprinters’ at Hyderabad in 2003 due to traffic problems) with this unique back to back”.

The race was run at a fast pace with Dancing Phoenix leading the way right from the start. As they came into the last two furlongs Dancing Prances came through the shortest way and took charge from the weakening Dancing Phoenix. ‘Prances’ was galloping well to keep the lead but a close finish was always in sight with Speed Six and Nefyn changing gears to hurry towards the leader. Nefyn got the clearest path from the outside and Jimmy Fortune used his masterly talent to drive the ‘old man’ for a splendid grand stand finish. Dancing Prances rallied on to beat Speed Six by a whisker.

Altamash A Ahmed who has now gained the reputation of a trainer capable of pulling out stunners in big races did that yet again with his ward Astapi (Placerville-Blurr) in the Grade I, the Stayers’ Cup. The credit goes to the owners, the Rattonseys and the young Altamash for their resounding faith on Astapi  who ran fifth in the Indian Derby earlier in his career and repeatedly looking to strike in bigger events, finally landing the owner / breeder the Stayers’ Cup.

Sur La Tete took over the running as the dozen runners set the ball rolling for the gruelling 3000 metres. Captain Courageous and Camorra were close behind and the trio formed the front bunch till approaching the last 600 metres. The scenario started to change as they traversed the final bend with Astapi gaining ground around the front runners to take charge with two furlongs left. Suraj Narredu on the Bangalore challenger Wind Stream judged the pace right and made his move to give it a go. Astapi and Wind Stream fought every inch of the last 200 metres and it was sheer delight to watch the duo in competition no matter where your money was! The talented J.H.Christopher was at his best when he pushed through Astapi to keep at Wind Stream at bay. Native Knight, the winner of last year’s Stayers’ Cup at Kolkata who still commanded respect at the age of 8 years being sent in as the favourite, came flashing in to be third, half a length adrift Wind Stream. Rodeo filled the judge’s frame.      

The Japan Trophy which is traditionally run during the Invitational weekend was won by L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Racing Ahead (Shamardal-Rah Wa).The pace for the seven furlongs trip was set by Palm Springs who emerged to be the smartest out of the gates. Ratham joined the leader quickly and the two were well ahead while Racing Ahead was held back in about sixth position always along the fence. Into the final straight Racing Ahead make a swift move through the wide gap along the rails and shifted left to challenge Palm Springs. Racing Ahead came tearing down and the winner was sighted long way from home. Chal Bhai Chal finished on to be the runner-up while the favourite Supreme Regime who was never at ease after taking a start from 16 draw finished third ahead of Ratham. Mr. Deshmukh had the privilege of receiving the trophy from Dr. Koji Sato, Chairman, The Asian Racing Federation. A reduced field of fifteen runners took the start after Magical Spell was withdrawn near the gates.

On a day of close finishes, with six of the eight races being decided in pulsating finishes, Pesi Shroff schooled Maisha (Footstepinthesand-My Pension) was the second exception to win the Deccan Bookmakers Juvenile Million, the concluding race of Saturday. Starting off as an ‘on money’ favourite, the odds on the filly eased up to be ‘evens’ at race time after a short spell of unfamiliar rain during this part of the year at Hyderabad came down just after the Sprinters’. The second in demand Carlton slipped in along the fence to take charge from the leader Desire who went wide on entering the straight. Maisha who was always in chase of Carlton unleashed a terrific turn of foot with 100 metres left from home to scuttle to a 3 1/2 lengths victory. Desire was third another five lengths behind despite drifting out.

Other than the three customary races of the big weekend, the other five were all ‘Millions’. Trainer Karthik Ganapathy managed to bag two of them for the silks of Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy. Patriotic (Royal Gladiator-Ashkirk) won the opening event of the day, the Own Beauty Million but not before giving some anxious moments to his supporters. The local challenger Jerrell set off on a start to finish mission. Patrioti ran a close second with Vijays Splendour not far behind. Inside the last 400 metres Vijays Splendour moved from the outside with a challenge. Patriotic was not having enough room in between horses and jockey Sreekanth decided to pull out his mount for a clear run from the outside. Jerrell fought back with renewed effort from the inside even as Vijays Splendour weakened. A tough fight ensued between the two in the final 100 metres and Patriotic managed to put his ‘head’ in front at the all-important end.

Indian Touch (Kheleyf-Indian's Feather) was a lucky winner in the Manitou Million. Winds And Waves had originally won the race by three parts of a length while Indian Touch, Decathlon and Triumph finishing second, third and fourth in a close finish amongst them. As the field entered the straight for the final run, Winds And Waves moved fast from the outside to wrest the lead from the favourite Ray Of Light . In the process he went in sharply thereby denying a clear run for Triumph, who had just beginning to change gears at that juncture. Imran Chisty regained his ‘lost balance’ on Triumph and ended up to be a close fourth. Imran Chisty raised an objection against Dasharath Singh, the rider of Winds And Waves for coming in sharply and bumping him on entering the straight. The Stewards upheld the objection and relegated Winds And Waves to the fourth position. Indian Touch was declared the winner in the revised order, with Decathlon and Triumph also moving up to be second and third respectively.

Trainer S.S.Faisal Hassan scored a back to back double with Musk Mellon and Mr.Glorious both progenies of Mr Mellon. Musk Mellon (Mr Mellon-Stupendous) pulled off a stunning upset in its maiden win in the Adler Million. Mount Titlis tried for a start to finish effort. The favourite Yksi Yksi Yksi tried to bridge the lead but failed to squeeze any extra and tired out soon. Little Love then got stronger and was looking to pull it off when Musk Mellon which had raced at the tail till the top of the straight, then going wide, came flying towards the finish to snatch the race in the shadow of the winning post. Mount Titlis finished third. Turf Queen was a non-starter in the race.

Mr Glorious (Mr Mellon-Simply Glorious) edged out Mukhtar by a ‘short head’ at the wire in a stirring finish. Mukhtar was leading the field from the start and was looking to make every post a winning one. Pakat Pakat Pakat moved closer along the rails and Mr Glorious was put on top gear by Suraj Narredu from the outside. With about 150 metres left from home, it looked like anybody’s race among these three. Getting closer to the finish Mukhtar was kicking on and Suraj started to put everything in him even as Pakat Pakat Pakat left the fight. Mr Glorious got the nod at the wire.