Machiavellianism (Jazil-Empress Jesie / Hazara Stud) the proud procession of trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh’s stables completed what could be rightly called a formality in the Ch.Satyanarayana Rao of Itkyal Memorial Cup. The 5 year old bay gelding who has travelled across the country in his career spanning 31 starts has missed the judge’s frame on only two occasions. Machiavellianish has to his credit three classics – the Colts’ at Bangalore and Hyderabad and the Indian 2000 Guineas- in the list of a dozen winners. Deshmukh’s star performer faced a relatively moderate company in the seven furlongs race for horses in the highest category and was the overwhelming favourite.

 Machiavellianism was settled nicely in about fifth position by P.S.Chouhan while Secret Angel led the pack followed by Azaiba, Always Bullish and Plenipotent. On entering the home stretch Machiavellianism was routed from the wide outside from around the horses in front by P.S.Chouhan and the gelding in his characteristic style sped past all of them to complete his fourth win on the trot. Sweet Candy weaved through horses and chased the winner throughout the last 100 metres to be the runner-up. For the record Palm Springs and Always Bullish finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey J.H.Christopher rode out Anupam Sharma’s Fairy Emperor (Hymn-Sasken) to keep at bay the favourite Happy Guy and score an encore in the Shravan Kumar Memorial Cup. Fairy Emperor was very keen right from the start but Christopher held the gelding back to run third behind Ice Barrier and Vijay Vidyut initially in the 2000 metres trip. As they neared the half way stage Fairy Emperor moved easily to be second with Ice Barrier still calling the shots. Inside the last 400 metres Ice Barrier tried to hold on to the lead but was passed by Fairy Emperor without much fuss. The favourite Happy Guy who raced last till the top of the straight covered ground from the far side to challenge Fairy Emperor strongly. The two fought out the last 100 metres and the determined effort of J.H.Christopher enabled Fairy Emperor to stave off the challenge by quarter of a length. Ice Barrier did well to finish third 1 ¼ lengths adrift.

T.Srinagesh trained Racing Tycoon (Ace-Difficult Doll) galloped authoritatively to win the higher division of the Golconda Plate. The chestnut gelding tracked the leader Marquise till entering the straight and taking charge swiftly, kept up the momentum to win by a good margin. Sweety Girl and Rustic Gal improved late to be second and third respectively from the weakening Marquise.   

S.S.Faisal Hassan’s My Star (Rebuttal-Ganga Purna) just managed to pull it off in the lower division. A last start winner, My Star was sent off as the favourite at 11-10. Racing close to the leaders till entering the straight, My Star rushed to take the lead from Stolen Date and the rider S.John kept riding out to gain a good lead. The lead came in useful as Jaden Gil and Compromise closed the gap towards the closing stages. My Star held on by quarter of a length from Jaden Gil at the finish with Compromise finishing a ‘head’ behind third. My Star scored an encore no doubt but the connections should the rider of Jaden Gil for his feeble effort. With a little more intent from the saddle, Jaden Gil could have easily tilted the scales in its favour.

Another one to score an encore was Anupam Sharma’s Mrinalini (Gaswar-Mint Royal) in the Race Club Cup. Apprentice Kunal Bunde took the youngster to the lead from the outermost draw and made every post a winning one. There was something amiss in the start of the race with fancied runner Vijays Casper rearing up a fraction of a second before the gates could open and its rider left behind standing on the frames of the gates. A Steward’s enquiry was called for and after examining the replays of the start, the stewards held the start to be ‘good’. Golden Storm, Undu Undu Undu and Royal Glow filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Zoheb Shaikh schooled Wonder Star (Varenar-Hi Fi) ran along the fence all the way till entering the straight and slipped in to get to the front. Moon Walker began to challenge strongly inside the last furlong but Wonder Star accelerated well to shrug off the challenger to win the Nagarjuna Sagar Plate, for maiden 2 year old horses. Chal Raja Chal found the rhythm late to edge out Moon Walker for the second place in the last stride.

Trainer K.S.V.Prasad Raju used the services of jockey P.S.Chouhan to guide the fortunes of Midnight in Paris (Multidimensional-Da Vinci Rose) in the Srisailam Plate, the first race of the day. The 4 year old who is in top form was sent off as ‘money back’ favourite among the small field of five runners. Tracking easily behind the leader Military Cross till the top of the straihght, Midnight In Paris simply cruised his way to the lead and drew clear. The Challenge finished second ahead of Fenway Court.

M.Srinivas Reddy trained Altruist (Gaswar-Speed Mistress) won the Ardent Knight Plate, the concluding race of the day at nourishing odds. Shooting off to the front quickly at start Altruist led all the way to make it a start to finish affair. The ‘on money’ favourite Right Dimension came a little closer to the winner in the last 100 metres but just could not get to it.    

For the professionals, trainer Anupam saddled a double while jockeys P.S.Chouhan and S.John rode a brace each.