With only two horses left in for the Chief Minister’s Cup at Hyderabad, both from trainer L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard It was a match race between stable companions Machiavellianism and Plenipotent in the mile race. Hazara Stud bred Machiavellianism (Jazil-Empress Jessie) completed the formality of hoisting the winning flag. Plenipotent who has been sacrificed as the pace setter on many occasions earlier, was again sent to the front as the two were despatched. Machiavellianism chased the leader about two lengths all the way and began to creep up from the outside inside the last 200 metres. Jockey Ajit Singh kept the charge on Plenipotent but Machiavellianism travelled easily under Abhishek S Pawar to forge ahead towards the closing stages.

Deshmukh’s ward Shamrock Lady (Ace-Sure Future / Poona Stud) who had not won after scoring four in a row over a year ago made it a pillar to post affair over the seven furlongs distance in the opener, the Charminar Trophy. The ‘Chef’ of the stable Arvind Joshi was assigned the task of guiding Shamrock Lady and the 5 year old mare was sent off at a handsome 15-1. Joshi adopted a change in tactics and took Shamrock Lady who had a heavy impost of 62 kilograms on its back to the front and opened up a big margin over the others. The change in the pattern of running paid dividends as Shamrock Lady continued to dictate terms till the end and pulled it off even as the favourite Power Planet along with Golden Arrow came charging in. Golden Arrow took the second place ahead of Power Planet.

Laxman Singh trained Noble Citizen (Glory of Dancer-Dance Diva / Sans Craintes Stud) won the Raja Mehboob Karan Memorial Cup. Sent off as the favourite at 14-a0, Noble Citizen raced a handy third while Kohinoor Thunder and Prince of Arabia disputed the lead. On entering the straight Prince of Arabia surged clear and was quickly joined by Noble Citizen. The two fought out the last 200 metres and apprentice S.S. Tanwar managed to ride out Noble Citizen to be a length ahead at the finish. Laurel Canyon and Jerrell finished third and fourth respectively.  

Trainer R.H. Sequeira’s 4 year old gelding Rocky Hill (Express Wish-Imperial Force) who was winless from 14 starts finally came good to trounce the opposition in the Red Blaze Plate. Mount Titlis grabbed the lead quickly on top of the straight and was being ridden out to be in front when apprentice K. Sai Kiran brought Rocky Hill through the shortest way and shot through. Extending well Rocky Hill went clear and In Command moved in to take the runner-up berth while Mount Titlis held on to the third place from Sefarina.

Anupam Sharma schooled Green Striker (Sedgefield-Casanova Green) beat the favoured stable mate Princess Hina to lift the Fire Arch Plate. Showing lot of speed at start, Green Striker moved quickly towards the fence to lead the pack. Princess Hina was always in close attendance and started to challenge from the outside but Green Striker kept kicking on gamely to spare a length at the finish. Another fancied runner Island Bird rallied in to take the third place ahead of Squanderers Square.

Trainer K.S.V. Prasad Raju saddled a double through Sonic and Power Star. Sonic (Carnival Dancer-Three In One) scored an encore in the Red Chieftan Cup. Racing beyond mid-field till entering the straight, Sonic started to creep up close to the fence and even as Classic Emerald was fighting hard to hold out from Fenway Court, put its head in front to grab it at the wire in a three way finish. Classic Emerald finished second, a neck in front of Fenway Court. Time For Smile finished fourth another half a length away.

Power Star (Phoenix Tower-Dream Zone) won the Malvado Plate, an 1100 metres scurry for maiden 3 year old horses. The race favourite City Of Destiny was out in front on the final straight and Power Star started to challenge from the outside. The gelding got stronger with jockey Nilesh Rawal riding hard and picked up speed to surge ahead by three parts of a length. Sketch Of Beauty came flying in to finish a close third.