S. Padmanabhan struck again at Malakpet with Kunigal Stud bred Desert God (Burden of Proof-Running Flame) lifting the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes – Gr.3, the second classic of the monsoon season. Jockey Suraj Narredu timed his move to a nicety on Desert God to beat the Western India challenger Columbiana in sight of the winning post. The chestnut colt is the property of Mr.S.Padmanabhan & Mrs.Sharmila Padmanabhan representing M/S.Radiant Bloodstock Pvt Ltd & Col.Swapan Bhadra.

Kolors set a decent pace with Columbiana in close attendance. Let The Lion Roar raced in third along the fence followed by Desert God and King Charles. The order was almost the same as they approached the entrance of the home stretch. Columbiana grabbed the lead from Kolors passing the 400 metres pole and opened a gap of over two lengths. Suraj started to work his way on Desert God with a furlong left and charging forward prevailed over Columbiana by half a length at the finish. Kolors was third another four lengths away and Let The Lion Roar filled the judge’s frame.

Trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh who had still not taken off the way most of his admirers would have expected him to do saddled five winners, all in a row. Machiavellianism, Astra, Shivalik Bird, Tiger and Plenipotent were the victors from the stable. The first four named were ridden by P.S.Chouhan.

The 6 year old gelding Machiavellianism (Jazil-Empress Jessie / Hazara Stud) bounced back to winning ways after nearly ten months in the higher division of the Asaf Jah VII Memorial Cup. Machiavellianism came quickly from the outermost draw to settle behind the early leader Tejaswini. Brahmani showed initial speed to pass the duo and call the shots. As they straightened for the final run, Machiavellianism galloped resolutely from the outside to take charge and won easily, sparing over four lengths to Always Bullish who got the better of Tejaswini for the second place.     

Plenipotent (Iffraaj-Beldon Hill / Mebajeona Stud) won the lower division of the Category I race. Plenipotent was at the helm approaching the 1000 metres board and came in well ahead into the straight. Inside the last 200 metres Plenipotent showed signs of shortening strides but apprentice Abhishek S Pawar was vigorous in his pushing and the 6 year old kicked on from Palm Springs who warmed up late to close the gap and be the runner-up. Power Planet finished third ahead of Winds And Waves.

Tiger (Astronomer Royal-Seasahm) showed indications of turning out to be a good stayer while winning the 2200 metres race, the Nawab Khaja Moinuddin Khan Memorial Cup. The 3 year old bay colt not only won by a good margin of 4 ½ lengths but also did that with a pillar to post effort in wet under foot conditions. Cloud Dancer was in chase of the winner all through the race. Ice Crystal rallied late to take the third spot ahead of Vijay Vidyut.

Shivalik Bird (Whipper-Chestnut Bird) won the higher division of the Deccan Prince Plate, an 1100 metres scurry for maiden 3 year old horses. Majorca was speedy at start and shot to the front to lead. Arabian Fountain was in second and Shivalik Bird had settled down well in third. Shivalik Bird was ridden hard by P S Chouhan to get stronger from the outside and the filly forged ahead inside the last 150 metres. Power Star came in late but could only manage to beat Majorca for the second place. Sacrifise finished fourth. Aakash Vani was a non-starter in the race.

While Majorca failed to get the ‘Manjri’ colours safely home, stable-companion Astra (Phoenix Tower-Additive / Manjri Stud) obliged in the lower division. Awesome Show broke away to lead the pack from start and came in with a lead of about four lengths into the straight. The favourite Commanding Boy and Astra started to make their move at the same juncture and charged ahead. The two began to fight it out and Commanding Boy was hanging in badly. Chouhan’s sustained effort enabled Astra to surge ahead inside the last 100 metres and score over Commanding Boy by a length. Gangadhar and Golden Desire filled the judge’s frame in that order.

The day started off with Laxman Singh trained The Healer (Lord Shanakill-Brutta E Cattiva) pulling an upset to score an encore in the Forest King Cup. Following the leader Bharat King till the top of the straight The Healer cruised ahead and stretched out effortlessly till the winning post. Oathofyourdaughter rallied on to take the second place in front of Tinsel Town and Bharat King.

K.R.K.Raju trained Kohinoor Grace (Eljohar-Lady Counsel) whose only win from seventeen starts was a year ago, picked up the Cuddapah Plate at longer odds. The 4 year old filly was lethargic at start but was soon brushed up to run third rounding the final bend. She took charge mid-way up the straight and won comfortably. Major Dundee, Prideofmaduranagar and spirited filled the board. Gayle Force was withdrawn before the start.  

M Sathyanarayana trained Lightening Streak winless from 10 starts had to toil hard to score her maiden win in the Mr. Prospector Plate. The filly joined Golden Phoenix and Aggressive Approach on entering the straight with Pour Vous also forcing its way between horses. Inside the last 150 metres Pours Vous went ahead Lightening Streak still working hard from the outside. Jockey K Sai Kiran managed to get Lightening Streak ahead of Pour Vous and staved off the late bid of Rebellion by a head at the wire. Nano Class finished fourth.