Imtiaz A Sait trained Laurita (Ghostzapper-Chamoagne Cocktail / Nanoli Stud) emerged victorious in the Golconda Oaks – Gr2 at Malakpet, Hyderabad on Monday. The Nanoli Stud bred filly, sporting the silks of the Rattonseys had just one win from eight starts before coming down here for the ‘Ladies Derby’. Her third to Godspeed in the 1000 Guineas at Mumbai was impressive and that probably made her connections to decide on bringing her to Hyderabad for the gruelling trip. Four runners were left for the Oaks with Laurita being the only outstation runner, while the other three emerging from trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard, led by the local heroine Supreme Fairy who was the favoured one at 10-6 ‘on’.

Vijay Vaishnavee ridden by David Bruex set the pace with a good lead followed by Laurita, Supreme Fairy and Vista in that order. They raced in the same order all the way into the last 400 metres with the only change being the lead of Vijay Vaishnavee being reduced considerably. Vijay Vaishnavee continued to stay in the lead as they came in for the final furlong. Laurita started to gain ground with jockey A.Sandesh going for it and Supreme Fairy was already looking to be in distress. Inching closer in the last 100 metres Laurita just managed to get her neck ahead of Vijay Vaishnavee in the shadow of the winning post. Supreme Fairy was third another 2 ¼ lengths adrift.

Two ‘Million’ races formed a part of the nine races card on the Oaks day and both were won by progenies of Kingda Ka. M.Srinivas Reddy schooled Woman O War (Kingda Ka-Silver Clasp) completed the formality in the Byerly Turk Million (Gr3) to keep her record clean with three wins in as many starts. The race was more of academic nature for the railbirds as Woman O War was sent off as ‘money back’ favourite among the four contenders for the sprint. Woman O War was not the smartest at start but soon settled nicely along the fence in third while Manogamini and That’s My Darling fought for their heads in front. Entering the straight Woman O War was guided between the duo and when jockey P.S.Chouhan loosened the reins, the filly responded with a classy gallop and stretched out effortlessly. That’s My Darling got the better of Manogamini for the second place.

King Charles (Kingda Ka-Laserre / Nanoli Stud) from trainer Laxman Singh’s stables won the Hyderabad Juvenile Million in a convincing fashion. The chestnut colt on its second start had missed out by a nostril on the first attempt. Racing in about fifth position till approaching the final turn, King Charles gradually improved places and when asked for an effort, galloped easily from the outside and sped past Columbus and Karromshade who were in front at that time. Ice Crystal came in late to snatch the runner-up berth from Karromshade in the last stride. Columbus completed the judge’s frame.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan after riding Woman O War to victory in the Million, completed a hat-trick with Winjoy and Vijay Viraaj, both trained by L.V.R.Deshmukh. Winjoy (Refuse To Bend-Iies Piece) pulled off a stunning upset in the higher division of the Musical Morn Plate. The 12-1 shot set off on a start to finish bid over the seven furlongs trip and was still going well inside the last 200 metres. The hot favourite Vijay Vidhata after racing in mid-field with horses all around till the last 600 metres improved quickly to make a bid from the outside. Jockey A.M.Tograllu started to ride out Vijay Vidhata and the gelding began to drift out under pressure. Although Vijay Vidhata covered ground towards the closing stages, he failed to get to the winner by three parts of a length. Sweety Girl and Red Express finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan was made to work hard to emerge victorious on Vijay Viraaj (Jeremy-Linette) in the higher division of the Raja Bahadur Venkatram Reddy Memorial Cup. Modern Sniper was out in front from the start and there was no threat in sight as they approached the last furlong. Vijay Viraaj in about seventh position on the straight was ridden hard by Chouhan and covering ground with a sustained gallop managed to beat Modern Sniper by quarter of a length in the shadow on the winning post. Go For Gold was third ahead of Black Bolt.

L.D’Silva trained Queen Of The Stars (Phoenix Tower-Star Queen / Manjri Stud) whose last win was over a year ago came up with a resolute gallop to lift the lower division. The favourite Baazigar was out in front from the start and looked to be going well mid-way up the straight. Queen Of The Stars who took the bend wide started to gallop strongly from the outside and sped past with 100 metres left from the finish. Dusty Lady flashed on with a late run to push back Baazigar to the third position. Proof was a non-starter in the race.

M.Sathyanarayana trained Emerald Reef (Emerald Cat-Shimmering) scored an encore but at longer odds in the lower division of the Musical Morn Plate. Tracking the leader Vijays Triumph till the last 300 metres Emerald Reef forged ahead to gain a slender lead and held on from a fast finishing Lips Locking. Vijays Triumph finished third in front of the favourite Golden Essence who got blocked of a clear run near the 300 metres board.

Jockey Louis Beuzelin had an arm chair ride on D.Netto’s Parade Queen (Captain Rio-Romancing) in the Banarsilal Gupta Memorial Cup. The filly broke out well from an outward draw and set off to lead the pack. In the final straight Parade Queen extended the lead to over a distance effortlessly and the short priced favourite Blossom could only watch the ‘Queen’ stretch out in front while finishing second.

K.Satheesh trained Always Together (Noverre-Racy Description) scored her second straight win in the Salarjung Cup. The 4 year old shot into the lead as the gates opened and made every post a winning won by a lengthening margin. Kireeti, Rani and Lightning Streak filled the judge’s frame in that order.