The winter races at Hyderabad came to a close on Monday with a card of nine races being run on the concluding day. Followers of money had their way with seven well backed favourites obliging. Trainer D.Netto and jockey J.H.Christopher were the only professionals to score a brace each on the final day.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Rio Rojo (Tejano-Auberge) scored an encore in the Escapade Plate, a mile race for horses in category II. Exclusive Lady led the pack from the start and brought them into the home stretch. Big Move in chase all the way, rushed in to grab the lead inside the last 400 metres with jockey J.H.Christopher getting busy. The ‘odds on’ favourite Rio Rojo quickly got to a striking position behind Big Move and with Suraj Narredu getting busy the filly flashed past to win by three parts of a length. Ice Barrier and Equalizer filled the frame in that order.

Anupam Sharma schooled Sunday Beauty (Roi Maudit-Flaming Ruby) won the higher division of the Klairon Gold Plate, a seven furlongs race for 3 year old maiden horses. The favourite Dad’s Dollar set out on a start to finish bid and had a lead of nearly three lengths as they came into the final furlong. Kildare King was in chase but wasn’t getting closer. Sunday Beauty maneuvered its way through horses and charged towards the fence to challenge Dad’s Dollar from the inside. Bridging the gap with every stride, the filly headed past to spare three parts of a length at the finish. Vista finished third in front of Upon A Star.

L.D’Silva’s Golden Essence (Roi Maudit-Essence) shed its maiden ranks in the lower division. Jumping out well from the outermost draw, Golden Essence moved quickly to get to the front close to the inner rails. Into the final straight Golden Essence was well clear of the rest and won effortlessly. Amazing Approach laboured on to finish second. Green Olive and Roma Royal filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Trainer D. Netto and the in-form jockey J.H.Christopher teamed up to score a back to back double through Big Mac and Jerrell both firm favourites. Big Mac (Ajaad-Born Free) won the Bay of Angels Plate, the opener of the day. Sprint Saloni set out in front followed closely by Big Mac. Approaching the last 800 metres Big Mac forged ahead to take over the running. Inside the last 200 metres Tricks of Gold was the first to throw a challenge but failed to get up. Classic Emerald then got stronger and came menacingly but Christopher rode out Big Mac strongly to hold on by a ‘head’ at the wire. Paying Guest and Salvadore filled the frame in that order.

Jerrell (Epicentre-Opulence) which had gone down narrowly to Patriotic on the Invitational Saturday won the Arabian Knight Plate by a lengthening margin. Showing plenty of speed at start, Jerrell got down to business straight away. Approaching the final bend he started to draw clear from the rest and won unchallenged. Musk Mellon and Sterling Finish took the second and third spots respectively with a slender margin separating them.  

Racing Queen (Alnasr Alwasheek-Show Us The Money) pulled off a gutsy win in the Yana Plate. Racing Queen took a smart jump and headed to the fence to lead the field. Khalis Gold joined the ‘Queen’ as they approached the last 800 metres and disputed the lead from then on. As they rounded the final bend Racing Queen surged ahead to build a lengths lead. Khalis Gold began to challenge again on the straight, trying to get closer but P.Venkat on Racing Queen kept riding out and the filly kicked on to hold on by half a length. Sharp Victor covered plenty of ground from behind to finish third by a ‘short head’. This was P.Venkat’s fortieth win and he will not be entitled to claim any allowance in future.

City of Dreams (Mull of Kintyre-Serious Trouble) who is in fine form completed a hat-trick in the Diego Rivera Plate. Yksi Yksi Yksi took charge on top of the straight and City of Dreams came charging as they approached the distance post. The two broke away from the rest and started to fight it out. After a fierce duel right through the last 150 metres, City of Dreams edged out Yksi Yksi Yksi in the dying moments of the race. Spirited was third many lengths behind.

K.Satheesh trained Compromise (Cool Creek-Magic) scored an encore in the higher division of the Bryce Canyon Plate. The favourite Rajkumar was the first to make a bid and surge forward as they entered the final straight after tracking Shatakshi till the turn. Yours Truly began to get stronger inside the last 300 metres and it looked to be a fight between the two when Compromise and Komo Komo Komo came devouring ground from the outside. Compromise edged out Komo Komo Komo by quarter of a length while Yours Truly was third another 1 ¼ lengths away. Green Bay was a non-starter in the race.

Imran Chisty rode out M.Srinivas Reddy trained Sweety Girl (Ivory Touch-Highland Fling) to a runaway victory in the lower division, the concluding race of the day and season. Chasing the leader Bold Attack till entering the home stretch Sweety Girl surged forward effortlessly to take control and draw away from the rest. Olive and Maharadhi rallied on to finish second and third respectively. Secret Angel was fourth.