It turned out to be a Super Sunday for Nanoli Stud Farm and the Dhunjibhoys at Malakpet, Hyderabad winning the Golconda Derby Stakes Gr.1 with King Charles. Thus they had made a clean sweep of all the winter classics at this centre. Intelligence had won the 1000 Guineas, King Charles the 2000 Guineas and Heather the Golconda Oaks. It is indeed a rare feat for the connections and they will savour it for a long time to come. The winner is trained by Laxman Singh and ridden by A.Sandesh. The outstation horses usually walk off with the ‘plums’ at this centre and the local champion Laxman Singh winning the Derby is an encouraging sign. An elated Khushru Dhunjibhoy committed that he would be sending in more ‘quality’ horses for training to Hyderabad in future.

King Charles (Kingda Ka-Laserre / Nanoli Stud) was off to a good start but settled quickly in mid-field as Jigsaw began to set the pace. Passing the seven furlongs marker Dragon raced ahead but soon packed off. Into the final straight Jigsaw came in first but was soon headed by Mogadishu. Woman O War started to gain ground from the outside but was shifting out under pressure. Jockey A.Sandesh brought King Charles into contention and the son of Kingda Ka was travelling the best inside the last furlong. While King Charles was sighted the winner 100 metres from home, Bangalore challenger Blazing Touch charged in late to snatch the runner-up berth from Mogadishu. Let There Be Light filled the judge’s frame.

Trainer S.S.Faisal Hassan’s filly That’s My Darling (Mr.Mellon-Highly Fashionable / Ruia Stud) put in a sterling performance to lift the Secretariat Cup, a mile race for horses in the highest category. That’s My Darling travelled along with the rear bunch till turning for home while Kolors went on a start to finish bid with Azaiba staking claim for a brief while. Inside the last 300 metres That’s My Darling was set alight from the very wide outside by Akshay Kumar and the filly devoured ground to cover a big leeway and pushed back Kolors by three parts of a length. Carlton and Laurel Canyon finished third and fourth respectively.  

Dancing Leaf (Arazan-Dancing Image) produced a scintillating gallop inside the last half furlong to lift the Youngsters Million, a terms race for 3 years old. The favourite Aragonda Princess and Aika Aika Aika rushed to get to the front from outward draws. The two disputed the lead and Aika Aika Aika went clear inside the last 300 metres. At that stage the race looked to be well in the hands of Aika Aika Aika but with Suraj Narredu’s hard riding, D’Silva’s filly Dancing Leaf picked up momentum from behind and came flying down the last furlong to settle the issue. Aika Aika Aika was second ahead of Aragonda Princess. Reference was troublesome in the gates and was withdrawn before the start.

 Advocate general (Stern Opinion-Ashatamasha / Lumbini Stud), a 10-1 shot from L.V.R.Deshmukh’s yard won the Deccan Prince Cup. The grey gelding went to the front within the first furlong of the race and set the ball rolling. Passing the distance post Advocate General still had a good lead of about two lengths from Brilliant Twist hard at work. The lead started to diminish in the closing stages with Brilliant Twist catching up but the winner had scrapped through by a head at the wire. The Blus was third and Mangalyan fourth.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Bharat Princess (Kingda Ka-Pickwick Papers / Nanoli Stud) sprang a surprise Reference was troublesome in the gatesin the Nelston Plate. The filly had won her last start earlier this month over nine furlongs but was neglected in the betting for the 2000 metres trip. Kiss N Chase streaked to the lead within the first furlong and stayed well in front till approaching the last 600 metres. Tiger took the lead passing the 600 metres and was looking good inside the last 200 metres. Bharat Princess in about sixth position on the straight started to improve steadily and with a resolute gallop covered ground and sped past in the closing stages. Tiger stayed on in second. Lethal King and Carolina Moon finished third and fourth respectively.

D.Netto’s Byron Bay (Lord Admirable-Auxi liary / Sans Craintes Stud) was back with a bang to win the Sikander E Aazam Cup. Inside the last furlong Pfeiffer was in the front and Byron Bay moved alongside to challenge. Jockey A Imran Khan was in full flow on Byron Bay and the gelding responded readily to surge ahead and build up a sizable lead. Golden Angel was many lengths behind in third.

L.D’Silva led in his second winner through Par Excellence in the Squanderer Cup. Par Excellence was handled with aplomb by Trevor to score in a close finish. Par Excellence raced in about seventh while Catherine went on a start to finish bid with Military Cross and Rajkumar racing close behind. Into the final 200 metres Catherine was hard at work to hold on to that lead and Trevor brought Par Excellence through the field. Vijays Triumph was catching up fast from the outside and the favourite rallying along the inside. Par Excellence charged in the middle to snatch the victory by half a length from Catherine. Vijays Triumph was third just a short head away. Dancing Farha placed fourth.

M.Srinivas Reddy trained Market Leader (China Visit-Only Royale) won the opening race of the day, the Aristocrat Cup in an impressive fashion. The filly who had won on debut kept her slate clean with a second straight victory. Shooting to the front as the gates opened, Market Leader led all the way and drew clear in the final furlong. Amethyst rallied on in second with Princess Rose taking the third place.

Rinivas Reddy scored a back to back double on Gunner (Sharp Attack-Golden Shadow) in the Brown Sugar Plate. Racing a close third all the way Gunner had to tackle Prudently Perfect on the straight. As Imran Chisty ensured that Gunner forged ahead of Prudently Perfect with half a furlong left, Dea Change and Glory Of The Year came charging down. The winning post came to the rescue of the favourite Gunner who held on by a short head at the finish from Sea Change. Glory Of The year was third another neck away.

Sk Kassam trained Aware (Epicentre-Alero), a veteran of 54 starts won the concluding race of the day, the Allez Vite Plate. Racing in mid-field all the way Aware pierced through the field to take it up inside the last 200 metres and won comfortably. Bouquet finished on in second ahead of Pakat Pakat Pakat.