On fitness alone, the Suleiman Attaollahi schooled Azzuro commanded respect in the Speaker’s Cup, the plum event and the bookmakers rightly opened him the favourite despite the fact that a couple of other contestants, Baracchus and Zucchero had their fair share of supporters. Fitness paid rich dividends, Azzuro in the hands of Suraj Narredu romping home. Credit to Suleiman for sending  out his horses spot on. And this is one trainer who believes that early bird gets the worm  and he has been rewarded each season.  The Hyderabad challenger Vijays Joy who had recorded a hat-trick winning his first three career starts including his victory over Areca Wonder finished a game second ahead of Arabian Warrior who is slowly, yet surely regaining his form while the much fancied Baracchus failed to keep pace early on in the event and performed below par.

In the principal added attraction, the Brig R C R Hill Memorial Trophy, the Neil Darashah- trained Marine One was touted as one safe bet by most pros and all the big bettors in the game . The three-year-old who in his attempt in the Poonawalla Multiu-Million was withdrawn at the gates and earlier to that, had reared up and lost his chances at the  start looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and to the delight of his supporters broke off level from the gates. But the talented son of Phoenix Tower posed a few problems to his rider Steyn who failed to settle him down and lacked the punch to drive him out at end and as a result the friendless Madame Sultana who hit the front kicked on gamely to stun the railbirds. Heisenberg despite being piloted by a fresh apprentice did well to finish third and is one for the notebook while Advocate General it is clear needs time and space to adapt to the new conditions.

Mallesh Narredu-trained Janeiro making her debut in the upper division of the Glorious Colours Plate over a sprint surprisingly opened 80/100 before the odds on the filly who appeared a trifle heavy drifted out to 14/10. Janeiro found the exacting Bangalore track difficult to handle and negotiate in his maiden effort. The ten to one shot Absolutelyfabulous produced a  speedy effort and had the race well sewn up long way from home. Mister Majestic finished on purposefully to finish second ahead of Skyfullofstars.

In the lower division Ganapathy-trained Striking View appeared proved too good justifying the  one sided support the daughter of Arazan received in the betting ring. Sandesh pushed the public rage ahead the moment all the 11 contestants came under the starter’s flag and it was all over bar the shouting two furlongs from home. Akha Teej finished second ahead of  Massive Dynamics.

Trainer Inayathullah brought off a successful coup on the long pending Volcano in the upper division of the Holding Court Plate run over a sprint.  Millrose had her share of supporters while the odds on Prince Academy who opened favourite favourite drifted out indicating that the stable was not very confident.  Volcano led from the start and under pressure, veered out of a straight course but had enough reserves to hold of the belated effort of  Passion Flora. Expert did well to take the third spot and this Nithyanad ward is certain to earn his cornbill in the weeks ahead.

Ten to one shot Appy`s Pride went on a start to finish mission in the lower division comfortably pegging back the  late bid of Moher.  Mystical Shadow enjoyed good support in this event after Whispering Pines was withdrawn at the starting agates. But the filly failed to display her true potential

In the Malakpet Plate, Summer Mane was another from Neil Darashah’s yard who was backed heavily, down to (2/1) after opening at (4/1) but all that the favourite could do was to finish second behind the runaway winner Southern Fantasy who was the most impressive winner in the seven-event card.  Now that Southern Fantasy has broken the ice, this daughter of Razeen is set to add a few more wins this season.