K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Staying The Best (Burden Of Proof-My Hansel) pulled off a stunning upset in the division I of the Speaker’s Cup that featured Sunday’s races at Hyderabad. The chestnut gelding was not the smartest out of the gates and settled in the rear to run second last. As they came on to the straight Staying The Best was pulled out from the wide outside but was still second last till the last 300 metres. With a furlong left almost seven horses were in contention in a line. The favourite Atlas Star powered its way in the centre to go ahead with 100 metres left and Staying The Best charged ahead from the outside. The two fought till the end with Staying The Best travelling the better to snatch the race from the favourite by three quarters of a length. Brahmani finished on third in front of Pacific Star.

The favourites failed to oblige in the other two divisions of the race as well. O Ms Akhila was sent off as the on-money favourite in the second division among the nine runners. D Netto’s Fruit Roll Up (C P West-Fabulously Bold) who was tackling the highest category for the first time did well to score an encore. Racing handily behind the leader Beau Ideal till mid-way up the straight, Fruit Roll Up surged ahead to take it up and kicken on from O Ms Akhila in a futile chase. Gaarswood came in late to pip O Ms Akhila for the second place on the last stride. Beau Ideal rallied on to finish fourth.   

Anupam Sharma trained Symbol Of Glory (Hymn-Jalapeno) was given a tactful ride by P Ajeeth Kumar to win the division 3 of the Speaker’s Cup. The favourite City Of Dreams tracked celestial Fire till the last 400 metres and took charge. C Eleven started to make a strong bid and the two started to fight it out inside the final furlong. Even as City Of Dreams was looking to wrap it off came Symbol Of Glory through the shortest way and with a flash of a run put her neck in front close to the wire in a three way finish. Black Bolt finished fourth.

Laxman Singh trained Brilliant Twist (Ace-Refresh), a 10-1 shot pulled it off in the Malakpet Cup. Apprentice S S Tanwar took Brilliant Twist to lead the pack right from the start and was travelling well into the last 200 metres. The public choice Time For Fun was up with a strong challenge and joined alongside and the two pulled away from the rest. Brilliant Twist kept Time For Fun at bay throughout the last 200 metres and won it by half a length. Bharat Princess was a faraway third.

Trainer m Sathyanarayana’s youngster City Of Harmony (Rebuttal-Well Rehearsed) who was only on its second start won the Flirting Vision Plate. After a good start City Of Harmony was nicely along the fence and went ahead to lead within the first furlong. Maintaining the lead all the way the youngster extended the lead on the straight and won unchallenged. Dream Vision finished second in front of Charlie Brown and Soviet Rule.

S A Shehzad Abbas trained Azarenka (Burden Of Proof-Tetisheri / Kunigal Stud) won the opener of the day, the Pocharam Cup impressively. The filly rallied behind the leader Bouncer till turning for home and making a swift move took up the running and won easily. Vijay’s Harmony rallied on to finish second. Wonder Star and Silvassa finished third and fourth respectively.

Rocky Hill (Express Wish-Imperial Force) just managed to pip Ondha Ondha Ondha in the Dynamic Dancer Plate. Royal Glow and Ondha Ondha Ondha travelled together disputing the lead right from the beginning. Rocky Hill was close to the rails behind them. On the straight Rocky Hill first tried to sneak in along the rails and after failing tried to make a bid between the horses. The gap was closing up and apprentice Koushik pulled out Rocky Hill. R H Sequeira’s filly got closer inside the last 100 metres and just managed to pull it off by a head in the shadow of the winning post. Vijay Vishw took the third place in the same picture frame. Royal Glow ended up fourth.

K Satheesh trained Trustful (Inhabitant-Golden Collection) won the last race of the day, the Grand Parade Plate. Racing a handy fourth till entering the straight, Trustful came to challenge Aware and surged ahead without much fuss. Pakat Pakat Pakat and Spirited finished third and fourth respectively. Machintosh was a non-starter in the race.