Woman O War (Kingda Ka-Silver Clasp) scored a thrilling upset in the Dodla Pratap Chander Reddy Memorial Million, the feature of the concluding day of the Monsoon season at Hyderabad. There was excitement in the air as the seven first timers lined up for the 1100 metres scurry for maiden 2 year old horses, as it had turned out to be a decider for the Jockey’s championship.

 Jockey P.S.Chouhan had won the opener of the day to draw level with A.Imran Khan at 21 wins. Chouhan was astride the favourite Advocate General and Imran Khan on the second in demand Byron Bay. As the field was dispatched Advocate General showed plenty of speed to head to the lead. Byron Bay was in chase. Inside the final 200 metres Advocate General was still in front with Byron Bay not able to produce anything extra. The supporters of Advocate General and Chouhan had probably started to rejoice when Woman O War came with a terrific run from the rear to stun them all. Woman O War is trained by M.Srinivas Reddy and ridden by Kuldeep Singh.

The end of season awards was given away at the end of the day. Trainer Laxman Singh emerged as the leading Trainer with a score of 23 wins. The leading jockey award was shared by P.S.Chouhan and A.Imran Khan with 21 wins each. Akshay Kumar with 16 wins was adjudged as the top apprentice claiming allowance. The Deccan Derby winner Spreadeagle, property of Dr. & Mrs.Vijay Mallya representing United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited, wore the ‘Champion Horse’ sash, while Machiavellianism with three wins from as many starts was adjudged as the horse of the season.

Longshot Fairy Emperor (Hymn-Sasken) from Anupam Sharma’s stables was another upset of the day in the Nawab Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup. Jockey J.H.Christopher who was a replacement on the 4 year old gelding rode out to come from behind and win the 2400 metres trip. The short priced favourite Ray of Hope set off on a start to finish mission with Racing Tycoon racing second all the way till the last 200 metres. The field spread across the track with a furlong left with Wedding Gift and Ice Barrier beginning to close up. Christopher brought Fairy Emperor from around the horses in front and he responded with a resolute gallop to forge ahead and win by two lengths. Wedding Gift, Ice Barrier finished second and third respectively while Ray of Light was beaten to be fourth.     

L.V.R.Deshmikh trained Machiavellianism (Jazil-Empress Jessie / Hazara Stud) was sent off as money back favourite among the four runners in the Dundoo Ekambar Memorial Cup, the opener of the day. Ridden by P.S.Chouhan, Machiavellianism beat the field convincingly to complete a hat-trick but had to get the verdict cleared in the Stewards room following an objection being raised by the rider of the third placed Black Bolt. Azaiba set out in front followed closely by Azaiba and Machiavellianism with the fourth horse in the field Vijaykeerti tailed off last. As they moved towards the distance post Machiavellianism shifted in as he galloped past Azaiba and Black Bolt. The rider of Black Bolt was of the opinion that his stride was lost by the gap narrowing down and that cost him the second place at best. The Stewards after reviewing the race overruled the objection.

Anupam Sharma scored a treble on the final day, the other two winners from the stables being Mrinalini and Mukhtar.  Mrinalini (Gaswar-Mint Royal) who had failed to make it to the board in her four starts came good to win the lower division of the Forest Treasure Plate from pillar to post. Aprrentice Kunal Bunde who was riding the filly for the first time also earned his first win. Royal Gold and Hard Hit were in chase all through the race and the second name managed to finish as the runner up.

The consistent Mukhtar (Duja-Athlone) scored and encore in the lower division of the Blue Ice Plate. Ridden by S.John, the speedy Mukhtar hit the front as is his normal practice and kicked on when Big Boss and Fair And Square started to apply pressure in the last furlong. While Mukhtar was clear by two lengths at the finish, Fair And Square beat Big Boss by a ‘short-head’ for the second place.

Jockey S.John completed his double while riding Sk Kassam trained Sprint Saloni (Epicentre-Premier Thrill) to an easy victory in the higher division of the Forest Treasure Plate. Sprint Saloni hit the front at start and was in the lead till approaching the 800 metres board from where Mexican Gambler and Fenway Court forced their way to head past. On the home stretch Sprint Saloni was back into action and surged ahead effortlessly to regain the lead and was hard held by John even as Scholar Gypsy made its bid. Fenway Court finished third with Anangalekha taking the fourth spot.

Desire (Glory of Dancer-Another Star) from the stables of M.Srinivas Reddy justified the favouritism in the Ivanjica Cup. Desire carrying the top weight of 62 kilograms took a good jump to hit the front and settled well in second when Green Jewel rushed to the lead from along the fence. Once into the straight Desire started to move around Green Jewel. The front runner started to hang out slightly disturbing the progress of Desire but jockey Dashrath Singh pushed his way without much fuss and stretched out easily to be 6 ¼ lengths in front of Golden Essence who finished second. Green Jewel ended up third.

 Laxman Singh who was had reaped rich in the season, saddled Crown Royal (Multidimensional-Wave of Bliss) to a popular win in the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate. The 3 year old filly raced two away from the fence from the start with Light Blue Sky giving company from the inside. Into the straight for the final 400 metres Crown Royal started to sway away from the straight course and ran the final 200 metres close to the outer fence. Despite the drift, Crown Royal managed to maintain a lead over Light Blue Sky and spared 2 ½ lengths at the finish.

For the professionals’ trainer Anupam Sharma scored a treble and M.Srinivas Reddy a double. Among the jockeys S.John was the only one to score a brace.