Mallesh Narredu trained Godspeed (Multidimensional-Almandine / Usha Stud) proved to be a filly with a touch of class when she lifted the first classic of the monsoon season at Malakpet, the Deccan Bookmakers Fillies Championship Stakes – Grade III. Mallesh decided to pitch Godspeed for the Hyderabad Classic after she finished third in the Fillies’ at Bangalore and then wrapped up the Bangalore Summer Million. The Multidimensional filly overcame a ‘set-back’ to make almost every pole a winning one with jockey Suraj Narredu who has been riding in Macau partnering her. Suraj informed indiarace that he is getting back to ride at Macau and will be back for main races in Indian circuits this summer.

The contest looked to be revolving around three runners going by the betting. The local challengers Culebra and Supreme Fairy, both from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard and Godspeed from Western India had their share of supporters. Godspeed showed plenty of speed as the gates opened to rush to the front from an outside draw. Rani tracked the leader followed by Zenofic, Desire, Connemara, Supreme Fairy, Feliciana and Culebra, the field covered in about five lengths. Inside the last 400 metres Godspeed continued to dictate the lead and Culebra was the one who made significant progress through the gap along the fence. With a furlong left Culebra was pulled out by Y.S.Srinath to challenge Godspeed from the outside and it was then Suraj Narredu picked up the stick to give a couple of reminders. Godspeed responded well to Suraj’s urgings and kicked on to spare three parts of a length to Culebra at the finish. Feliciana was third another two lengths behind while Supreme Fairy ended up fourth after travelling four wide all the way.

“She is a brave hearted filly,” said Suraj Narredu while complementing Godspeed. “She had not taken the travel well and to make things worse, had ‘picked’ up a stone and hurt her hooves about 4- 5 days ago. I was lucky to make my own pace and she showed resilience in keeping the momentum going.”     

Age was no stopper for the 7 year old Kohinoor Wish (Gaswar-Blue Sonata/ Chhatari Stud) who has a remarkable record of finishing on board 41 times out of 45 starts, 19 of them being in the winner’s enclosure. Kohinoor Wish carried a back breaking weight of 62.5 kilograms to victory in the Original Vel Mrs.Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup, a 1200 metres sprint for horses in the highest category. Kohinoor Wish was held back in second last position while Odalis called the shots in front. With a furlong left from the finish the favourite Magical Spell started to get stronger from the outside and Kohinoor Wish was brought with intent by S.John through the gap along the inner rails. The gap narrowed down further with Secret Angel shifting right but John forced his way through and headed strongly to beat Magical Spell in a thriller. The proverbial Whisker separated them while Secret Angel finished third another length away. Odalis ended up fourth.

Modern Sniper (Noverre-Wonder Smile), the 3 year old colt from the stables of K.Satheesh who had won on debut, returned to winning ways in his fifth start, the A.Krishnaswami Memorial Cup. Showing good speed at start Modern Sniper hit the front early followed closely by Pakat Pakat Pakat and Make Your Day. Inside the last furlong Modern Sniper continued to kick on under P.Ajeeth Kumar keeping Make Your Day at bay. Montauk rallied in late to beat Make Your Day narrow down the winning lead of Modern Sniper to half a length.

Trainer K.Satheesh was the only professional to score a double. He struck through friendless Gentle Chief (Amadeus Wolf-Lady ASheena) in the opener, the Scenic Royale Plate, a 1400 metres race for maiden 3 year old horses. Pour Vous set off on a start to finish bid with Blue Sedection in chase. Inside the last 200 metres Pour Vous still looked good with Gentle Chief struggling to get into rhythm. The favourite Vijay Vaishnavee came in late with a challenge from the outside and just then Gentle Chief also raised a strong gallop to beat Pour Vous. Vijai Vaishnavi finished third.

Zoheb Shaikh trained Rosemonde (Kheleyf-Miss Langkawi) scored an encore in the Raja Saheb of Itkyal Memorial Cup. Tracking Altruist all the way till mid-way up the straight, Rosemonde surged forward without much fuss but the rider A.Imran Khan had to ride out to hold on to the lead when Green Jewel began to gain ground at a rapid pace. Altruist ended up third.

Donald Netto trained Stolen Date (Sussex-Hunting Girl) justified the favouritism in the Delage Plate. Racing in about fifth position on the top of the straight, Stolen date got stronger from the outside to tackle Citi Supreme and Ponte Verdi and drew clear. Citi Supreme held on to the second place from the late finishing Novaya Zemlya. Allianz Arena filled the judge’s frame.  

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Rock Heights (Duja-Naval Guardian) who had remained a maiden even after 24 starts was backed to the exclusion of the other runners in the higher division of the Ongole Plate.  The 4 year old filly set off in front right from the word ‘go’ and enjoyed a lead of over three lengths into the home stretch. With no challenge emerging from behind, Rock Heights continued to be in front. Nano Dame started to close up along the fence inside the last 100 metres but her rider probably decided to be the runner-up looking at the way he handled the filly in the closing stages. Sterling Finish came out of the bunch behind to take the third spot. Goldie was a non-starter in the race.