K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Rio Rojo (Tejano-Auberge) clinched the Nawab Mehdi Lung Bahadur Memorial Cup, that featured Friday’s races at Hyderabad. Rio Rojo who had last seen the winning post over two years ago had the maximum support in the betting, sent off as the favourite at 5-4. Rio Jojo was the smartest out of the gates and rushed to take the lead. Vijay’s Harmony raced close behind but was out of steam even before approaching the final bend. Rio Rojo continued to dominate the proceedings and won by a lengthening margin. Carolina Moon and Upon A Star fought on for the minor places and finished second and third respectively. Kireeti was far-away fourth.

K.Satheesh trained Like Wise (Dancing Forever-Farha) romped home in the Set Alight Plate, a seven furlongs race for maiden 3 years old horses. Love You Darling set the pace and brought the field into view on the straight while Like Wise who was in her second race of her career raced in about fifth position. Doroteo was the first to show intent on the straight and take the lead. Like Wise started to gallop strongly approaching the last 300 metres and sped away by a good margin. Doroteo held on from the favourite Mahathi who warmed up late. Love You Darling finished fourth. Golden Luck was withdrawn before the race.

K.V.Srinivas trained Oathofyourdaughter (Oath-Zante), a 8-1 shot came good in the Golden Dagger Plate, division I. Kohinoor Grace and Symbol Of Glory disputed the lead till rounding for home and the former went clear on the straight. Oathofyourdaughter improved steadily and took charge inside the last 200 metres. As Oathofyourdaughter went clear Junior and Military Belle fought for the minor places and finished in that order in a close finish. Kohinoor Grace finished fourth while the favourite Dandy Girl was never in the hunt. Dandelion was fractious in the gates and had to be withdrawn.

A well backed Vijay Sakhi (Tagula-Markova) from trainer Laxman Singh’s yard won the lower division. Vijay Sakhi missed the jump and lost about three lengths at the start. Improving gradually the 5 year old was in about fifth as they turned for home with Sprint legend and Romantic Fire fighting for their heads in front. Weaving through the field Vijay Sakhi put in a fast gallop inside the last 150 metres and sped past for a convincing win. Symbol Of Fire just managed to ward off Romantic Fire for the second place. Sprint Legend finished fourth.

Laxman Singh saddled a back to back double through Sacrifice (Glory Of Dancer-Tapioca) in the lower division of the Maltese Prince Plate. Sacrifice shot to the lead as the gates opened and led all the way. Improving further on the straight Sacrifice spared 3 ¼ lengths to Save The Nation who chased the winner all through the last 400 metres. My Choice finished in the money while the favourite Cruiser ended up a poor fourth.

Pfeifer (Rebuttal-Vena Amoris) who spent the summer at Bangalore was sent off as the favourite among the nine runners in the higher division of the Maltese Prince Plate. Pamella grabbed the lead on top of the straight but soon surrendered to Pfeifer who came with good strides approaching the last furlong. Gangadhar made a late dash, covering ground inside the last 100 metres. The lead that Pfeifer had established started to diminish fast but the winning post came to the rescue of the filly that held on by a neck at the finish. Pamella stayed on in third and Exclusive Monarchy finished fourth.

Anupam Sharma’s Garib Parwar (Epicentre-Sabakh) scored a runaway victory in the division I of the Vijay’s Conquer Plate. Apprentice Praveen Gaddam took Garib Parwar to the front as the gates opened and the 5 year old maintaining a sizable lead all the way extended it effortlessly on the straight. Royal Rajkumari beat the rest to finish second while Captain General took the third place ahead of Ashwini.

D.Netto trained Oh Dear (Mathematecian-Dear Liza) won the lower division very impressively. A lot of money came pouring on the filly, landing up as an on-money favourite among the nine contenders for the 1100 metres scurry. Oh Dear showed plenty of early speed and rushed to the front to lead the field. Passing the distance post Oh Dear began to quicken well and extended the lead to over four lengths. Kohinoor Karishma chased Oh Dear right from the start and ended up second. Ice Cave and Dorian finished third and fourth respectively.

M.Sathyanarayana trained City Of Pearls was a stunning upset in the Flowersoftheforest Cup. A winner of its last start in winter, City Of Pearls was neglected in the betting for the 1400 metres race. The favourite Palisades Park set off on a start to finish bid with City Of Pearls in chase about three lengths away. Palisades Park started to show distress signals on entering the straight and began to weaken even as City Of Pearls assumed command. With more on hand City Of Pearls was eased up well before the winning post while Euro Zone finished on to be second. Telangana Queen and Star Player finished third and fourth respectively.