S. Padmanabhan trained Desert God (Burden of Proof-Running Flame / Kunigal Stud) lifted the Deccan Derby (Grade I), the blue ribband of the Monsoon Season at Malakpet, Hyderabad. The Kunigal bred chestnut colt is jointly owned by Mr.S.Padmanabhan & Mrs.Sharmila Padmanabhan Rep. M/S.Radiant Bloodstock Pvt Ltd & Col.Swapan Bhadra. This is incidentally the fifth Derby success for trainer Padmanabhan at this racing centre. For Kunigal Stud it was a moment to cherish, as Cameron ran second to make it one – two for the stud farm.

Jockey David Allan was down from England especially for this assignment and he gave an absolutely confident ride to annexe the plum of the season by a lengthening margin. Desert God, the winner of the Colts’ here was sent off as the favourite at a good 16-10 among the nine horses that lined up for the start. The local challenger Woman O War who was unbeaten from six starts and the last one being the Fillies’ Championship in an amazing manner also received strong support to be the second in demand at 2-1.        

Cameron set off in front initially and Columbus took it up from the five furlongs marker. They were followed by Royal Seal, Dazzling Bay, Chal Dhannu Chal, Desert God, Woman O War, That’s My Darling and Fair Fax. Cameron regained the lead as they turned for home and Desert God was quick to join up from the outside on top of the straight. With two furlongs left the two had come away from the rest and when David Alan alerted Desert God, the handsome chestnut colt galloped resolutely to forge ahead and stretch out by a lengthening margin. Woman O War made a late bid but Cameron held on well to be the runner-up. Dazzling Bay rallied on to fill the board.

Trainer Donald Netto’s wards finished one – two in the Turf Authorities Cup but it was the lesser fancied amongst them Parade Queen (Captain Rio-Romancing) that pulled it off at longer odds of 20-1. The favoured C Eleven could finish only second. Parade Queen was the smartest of the 16 runners and quickly got to the fence to be the leader. Inside the last furlong Parade Queen continued to be clearly ahead and kicked on with C Eleven in futile chase to be second. Lopamudra started to warm up from the wide outside and covered ground but could only beat Blossom for the third place.

Trainer Laxman Singh had a rewarding Derby day with a rich haul of four winners. King Charles, Little Smart Heart, The Healer and Bellatrix were the victors from the stables. Jockey Kuldeep Singh was astride the first three of them. The Healer (Lord Shanakill-Brutta E Cattiva) justified the Even money favouritism in the Mumbai Cup. The Healer had gradually improved to be a close third behind Morning Miracle and Pegasus as they approached the last 600 metres. On entering the straight Kuldeep Sngh started to ride out and The Healer readily responded to take charge and go clear. Vallee Secrete and O Ms Akhila fought on for the minor places and finished second and third respectively.

King Charles (KIngda Ka-Laserre / Nanoli Stud) scored a comprehensive victory in the Chennai Cup. Laxman Singh’s trainee had completed a hat-trick before having a go in the Colts Championship. The son of Kingda Ka was sent in as an on-money favourite among the eight runners for the mile trip. Exclusive Beauty set off in front and led till the top of the straight. She was out of steam soon and Escalante along with King Charles came charging from behind. King Charles forged ahead easily and began to stretch out with Jockey Kuldeep Singh not having to do any fancy riding. Escalante held on to the second place after fighting out with Fabulous Jewel.

Jockey Kuldeep Singh had to work hard to win on Little Smart Heart (Diffident-Oojah) in the Tanasha Plate. The on-money favourite took the shortest way to improve position and was about four lengths adrift of the leader Shatakshi on top of the straight. With some hard riding Kuldeep was able to get Little Smart Heart to the front and with Tinsel Town also moving strongly, just managed to pull it off by a short-head. Bharat King finished third ahead of Shatakshi.

Jockey Deep Shanker rode Bellatrix (Top Class-Amenable) to a maiden win in the Commanche Cup. The 3 year old filly surged ahead passing the 200 metres board and had to be driven out to keep Lightening Streak and Poll Promise at bay. Rose ‘D’ Mumtaz finished fourth.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan who was out of action for some time due to injury was seen in his usual assertive style while driving home Deshmukh’s Found Money (Arazan-Forever Elegance ) in the Mrs.K. Lakshmi Bhupal Reddy Memorial Cup. Trevor was astride Found Money in its victory fully aware of his ability, decided to take Karromshade to the front right from the start. Found Miney creeped up from the outside inside the last 400 metres and with both the riders giving their best, Found Money travelled the better to win by 2 ½ lengths. Beau Sabreur and Bharat Princess finished third and fourth respectively.

R.H. Sequeira trained Gaaeswood (Home Affairs-Admiration) pulled off a sensational upset win in the opener, the Kolkatta Cup. Numinous was on a start to finish bid and Gaarswood was languishing hopelessly in the last position. Approaching the last 200 metres Numinous was still ahead and Gaarswood was still looking for a path to move. The 6 year old all of a sudden started to raise a gallop and came flying inside the last 50 metres to swoop down and win by two lengths. Celestial Fire edged out Numinous for the second place. My Star was a non-starter in the race.

Jockey Trevor Patel scored a double through City Of Dreams and Par Excellence. M Sathyanarayana trained City Of Dreams (Mull Of Kintyre-Serious Trouble) justified the favouritism in the Bengaluru Cup. Improving gradually in the packed field, City Of Dreams grabbed the lead from Kohinoor Thunder inside the last 300 metres and stretched out to score easily. It was a close finish for the minor places with Kohinoor Thunder, Prince Of Arabia and Military Belle finishing second, third and fourth respectively.

L.D’Silva’s Par Excellence (Saffron Walden-Louve Secrete) scored its fourth straight win in the Bhagyanagar Cup, the concluding race of the day. Ein Ein Ein was well in front inside the last 200 metres and was going for it. Trevor started to work on Par Excellence and the 5 year old got stronger towards the finish and sped past in the dying moments of the race. Trustful and Goldie finished third and fourth respectively.