Kunigal Stud bred Spreadeagle (Burden of Proof-Sugarbird) put up a stunning performance to clinch the Grade 1 Vijay Textiles Deccan Derby, the Blue Ribband of the monsoon races at Hyderabad. The chestnut is the property of Dr. & Mrs.Vijay Mallya, representing United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited.

Trained by Arjun Mangalorkar Spreadeagle was not among the fancied lot in the race, having won just once over seven furlongs at Bangalore from his six starts. His latest was in the Colts’ Championship on this track where he had ended up sixth to Bold Majesty. The betting revolved mainly around Bold Majesty and Culebra. The local filly Supreme Fairy also had her share of supporters. The manner in which Spreadeagle showed improvement in form to trounce the Derby field left almost everyone awestruck. Jockey P.Trevor handled Spreadeagle superbly to earn his first ever Derby success.

Top Commander settled well to set the pace followed about three lengths behind by Panachecorn and Feliciana as they passed the half-way stage. Spreadeagle always hugged the fence in fourth with Veloz, Supreme Fairy and Silver Phantom in close attendance. Bold Majesty and Culebra raced off the pace in the rear with just Baashagar behind them. Entering the home stretch Veloz was the first to take the initiative from the tiring pace setters and Spreadeagle was quickly on its back. Passing the distance post Trevor had ridden out Spreadeagle to assume command and the new champion was already in sight. While Spreadeagle was clear by 2 ½ lengths at the winning post, Supreme Fairy, Bold Majesty Veloz and Silver Phantom finished in a cluster in that order with just half a length separating the quartet.

“It’s a very satisfying win for the entire team at Kunigal” said an overjoyed Mr.Zeyn Mirza, Managing Director of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited. Mr.Mirza lauded the efforts and perseverance of trainer Arjun Mangalorkar for bringing in this turnaround in Spreadeagle. When asked about Spreadeagle's next, Mr.Zeyn hinted that it could be the Mysore Derby later this month.

The ‘White and Black V” silks of Dr. & Mrs.Vijay Mallya had earlier in the day scored through Cornwallis (Burden of Proof-Polenta / Kunigal Stud) in the Chennai Cup. Jockey P.Trevor piloted S.A.Shehzad Abbas trained youngster in his fourth win on the trot. Cornwallis settled easily in third while Kianoosh and Kohinoor Thunder disputed the lead. Passing the 600 metres Cornwallis improved steadily to make between the duo in front and slipped in to the lead as the showed up on the straight. Cornwallis was never under any threat on the home stretch and travelled easily under P.Trevor justify the strong support. Golden Essence chased the winner in the last furlong to finish second. My Star ended up third.

 Trainer Laxman Singh had a fruitful day with a treble. Tejaswini, Vijay Vidhata and Ray of Light were the victors from his stables. While Ray of Light and Vijay Vidhata scored popular victories under P.S.Chouhan, Tejaswi won at nourishing odds under apprentice S.S.Tanwar.

Tejaswini (Princely Heir-I Have A Dream) pulled off an upset in the Turf Authorities Cup. The filly who was travelling wide all through picked up speed to head past Odalis and Beau Ideal inside the last 200 metres and stayed well to win by three parts of a length. Beau Ideal kept the fight ‘on’ till the finish to take the runner-up berth. The favourite Carlton who encountered traffic snarls on the straight was pulled out and came up strongly but the race was over by then and had to settle for the third place.

Vijay Vidhata (Gaswar-Blue Sonata) kept his record straight winning his second start in the Mrs.K.Lakshmi Bhupal Reddy Memorial Cup. Jockey P.S.Chouhan took the youngster to the lead as the gates opened and continued to be in front on turning for the final straight. Green Jewel started to make a bid from the outside inside the last 400 metres but Vijay Vidhata quickened nicely when the jockey Chouhan rode him out and skipped away to spare 3 ½ lengths at the finish. Khosghel finished third another 5 ¼ lengths behind      

Ray of Light (Ace-Radiate / Poonawalla Stud) who had lost only once in her five starts scored a pillar to post victory in the Bangalore Cup. The filly rushed to the fence from a wide outside draw to lead and was never threatened thereafter. Lips Locking finished second ahead of Yours Truly and Fair And Square.

Un Un Un (Duja-Serious Trouble) from the stables of R.H.Sequeira who is in rousing form completed a hat-trick in the Mumbai Cup. The 3 year old bay colt sent off as the favourite at 18-10 shot off to head the field at start from draw 7. C.Eleven began to chase the leader right from the start. In the run up to the line jockey S.John kept Un Un Un going and the favourite stayed well to win by three lengths. C Eleven finished on to be second with Desire being third another length and a half away. 

Faiyaz Shaikh trained Rubyonrails (Roi Maudit-Flaming Ruby) denied the favourite Amazing Approach a win in the Tanasha Plate. Mrinalini was speedy at start to get to the front and lead. Amazing Approach tracked the leader at a safe distance till the last 400 metres and surged ahead readily when asked for an effort. With a furlong left the favourite was still looking good in front. Rubyonrails who was in about seventh position on top of the straight started to get closer steadily from the outside and when apprentice K.Mukesh Kumar gave a couple of cracks, the filly came tearing down to snatch the race in the shadow of the winning post. Vijay Shakti and Mount Titlis filled the frame in that order.

Trainer Donald Netto and jockey A.Imran Khan kept their scores ticking with a double together through Galiat and Parushram. Galiat (Mull of Kintyre-Brazilia) justified the short price to score an encore in the opener, the Kolkatta Cup. Pacific Star set the pace with a lead of about two lengths over Power Drive. Galiat settled well in third close to the fence. As they came into the last 400 metres Galiat was pulled out to make his bid. Jockey A.Imran Khan started to ride out and the gelding responded well to storm ahead and win. Santa Monica beat the rest to finish second while Power Drive took the third spot.

Parushram (Equitable-Knight Vision) scored and encore in the Commanche Cup. Racing Tycoon started off on a start to finish mission over the mile trip and was still in the lead as they came into the last 200 metres. Parshuram had gradually improved from the rear to get to second position and Imran started to ride out in the final furlong. Parushram got the better of the relentless Racing Tycoon inside the final 50 metres and won by a length. Amazing Power ranged strongly from the inside to take the second spot from Racing Tycoon.

Sk. Kassam trained True Friend (Hymn-Pussy Cat) whose last win was nearly two years ago won the Bhagyanagar Cup, the concluding race of the day by a lengthening margin. Starting off from the widest draw in a field of fifteen, True Friend improved gradually to be on the haunches of the leader Desert Bloom nearing the 600 metres board. Inside the last 300 metres True Friend stepped up the pace to take charge and stretched out easily. Mr.Glorious beat the rest to finish second. Pakat Pakat Pakat and Symbol of Honour finished third and fourth respectively.