The racing action shifted to the winter track at Malakpet, Hyderabad on Sunday with a card of seven races framed for the opening day of the new season. Local heroine Woman O War began her preparation for the ‘big assignments’ of the season with a ‘bullish’ run in the feature. The other impressive winner of the day was Vijay Vidhata who won his fourth straight win in an impressive fashion. 

M.Srinivas Reddy schooled Woman O War (Kingda Ka-Silver Clasp / Jai Govind Stud), considered to be the best 3 year old at Hyderabad went on a warm up trip for the winter classics in the M.L.N.Reddy Memorial Cup Div.I. Nine horses lined up for the seven furlongs trip for horses in the highest category and Woman O War ridden by P.S.Chouhan was the overwhelming favourite at unbackable odds of 5-1 ‘on’. The filly took it easy at start and looked to be relaxed with the bunch in the rear while Shamrock Lady rushed to the lead followed closely by Symbol Of Choice and Modern Sniper. Woman O War moved up gradually to be in forth behind the trio and once on the straight shot to the lead. The filly travelled well to keep the lead even as the highest rated contender in the field Always Bullish came in late to snatch the runner-up berth from Golden Essence. The early leader Shamrock Lady finished fourth.

Vijay Vidhata (GAswar-Blue Sonata) from trainer Laxman Singh’s stables has hit a purple patch in its career. The 4 year old carried a back breaking weight of 62 kilograms toa fourth straight win in a facile manner. Jockey Kuldeep Singh got Vijay Vidhata to race close behind the leader Super Falcon after jumping out of the gates and came in that way into the straight. Passing the 400 metres board Vijay Vidhata assumed command readily and made light of the heavy impost while stretching clear by 5 ½ lengths. Power Planet rallied on to take the second place while Decathlon edged out Carlton for the third place.

Trainer Srinivas Reddy saddled his double for the day through O Ms Akhila (Sedgefield-Hidden Danger / Jai Govind Stud) in the Dawn Plate. O Ms Akhila improved quickly from an outward draw to race a close third behind Rocking Racer and Catherine. The filly was very keen and apprentice Abhishek Pawar let her get to the lead even before approaching the final bend. O Ms Akhila was clear by over three lengths into the final furlong and stayed clear from the favourite Vallee Secrete who tried hard to bridge the gap. Time To Climb and Lips Locking finished third and fourth respectively.

Zoheb Shaikh trained Golden Adara (Top Class-Maha Rani) made a winning beginning to her career in the Beginners Plate. Cashel set out in the lead and Golden Adara was in close attendance along the rails. The filly was brought out by A.M. Tograllu before turning for home and with a strong challenge from the outside surged ahead inside the last 200 metres. Cashel stayed on in second while Creative finished third.

K. Satheesh trained Junior (Dancing Forever-Palladio / Hazara Stud) was the only major upset on the opening day. A winner in its last start, Junior was completely neglected over the extended trip. Sent off at 15-1 Junior shot ahead as the gates opened and made every post a winning one. Bharat Princess who trailed the field till the last 500 metres started to cover ground from the outside and finished second. Sol Invictus and Bon Ton finished third and fourth respectively.

Apprentice Abhishek had piloted L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Shivalik Bird (Whipper-Chestnut Bird) in the Welcome Plate, the opening race of the season. The filly tracked Dolce till the last 350 metres and shot clear passing the 300 metres board. The favourite Accelerator was left to fight with Dolce for the second place. Amethyst finished fourth.

T. Srinagesh trained Cruiser (Oratorio-Coral Strand) which had remained a maiden from nine starts just managed to scrape through in the Moment Of Glory Plate. Racing close behind Sprint Saloni till the top of the straight Cruiser surged ahead to take charge. Gun Stream began to raise a strong gallop inside the last 150 metres and the lead was diminishing fast but the winning post came to the rescue of Cruiser who held on by a whisker. The favourite Dorian finished third another 3 ¼ lengths away.