The Champion 6 year old Alaindair (Multidimentional-God’s Grace / Mehra Stud) added another feather to its hat while annexing the coveted Nizam’s Gold Cup – Gr 2 at Hyderabad. After winning both its starts at Bangalore, Alaindair was sent off as the ‘Even’ money favourite among the four contenders for the 2000 metres trip.

 Booker Jones went to the front near the mile marker to lead the pack. Cameron raced in second followed by Costa Del Sol and Alaindair held back last. The four ran in a single file till approaching the final turn. As they closed up rounding up for home Alaindair covered ground from around the three runners and with its signature acceleration raced past them with a furlong left. Cameron rallied on to be second ahead of Booker Jones and Costa Del Sol.

Woman O War (Kingda Ka-Silver Clasp / Jai Govind Stud) that had shifted to the stables of trainer K.R.K.Raju recently found her winning shoes after nearly ten months in the Basalat Jah Memorial Cup, a mile race for horses in the highest category. Jockey Suraj Narredu gave her a good ride to extract the best out of the filly. Woman O War was sluggish at start and was held back in second last initially. Always Bullish set the ball rolling followed by Aventus, Policy Maker, Galiat, Machiavellianism, Time For Fun, Woman O War and Greek Star. Woman O War came charging from the outside approaching the last 300 metres and stormed home to win impressively. Time For Fun rallied on to finish second. Galiat finished third and Machiavellianism fourth.

Jockey Suraj Narredu was able to extract the best out of Sk Kassam trained Silver Dollar (Rebuttal-Ridawana) in the Chaitanya Chakram Cup, a seven furlongs race for maiden 3 year olds in category II. Vijays Honour set off in the lead with the favourite Handy Man moving to be a close second as they turned for home. Silver Dollar racing in about fifth till the last 600 metres started to get closer from the outside. On the straight Handy Man was the first one to stake claim and Silver Dollar came charging from the outside. The grey was in the lead before passing the distance board and stretched out easily to score well. Handy Man stayed on in second. Avantika finished third and Sir Walter Raleigh fourth.

S.S.Faisal Hassan trained Khoshgel (Gaswar-Invitation Only) pulled it off in the higher division of the Byerly Brigade Cup after nearly 20 months. Ice Cave on a start to finish bid came in first on the straight and Khoshgel racing in about fifth all the way began to get closer. Ridden out by Akshay Kumar Khoshgel got stronger and sped past Ice Cave passing the 300 matres board. Ice Cave stayed on in second with Amazing Power taking the third place. Danielle finished fourth.

K.R.K.Raju’s Dear Friend (Neverre-Shirley Moon) whose last win was exactly two years ago came good to lift the lower division. The favourite Dolce set off in the lead right from the start and came in first on the straight. On the straight Dolce looked to be cruising but there seemed to be little assistance from the saddle to keep her going. Jockey Ajeeth Kumar tried to niggle Dolce when Dear Friend came alongside but it was too late as Dear Friend travelled the better and surged ahead inside the last furlong. Dolce finished second. Proud Image and Sea Change ended up third and fourth respectively. The Stewards were quick to notice the feeble handling of Dolce and handed down a six race days suspension for incompetent riding.

‘Better late than never’ as the saying goes, Dorian (Burden Of Proof-Shenandoah) trained by K.S.V.Prasad Raju earned its maiden win in the 24^th start. Ashwini set off in front followed by Jamie and Man Of The Series. Dorian and Coral Springs raced together after that followed by the rest. Approaching the final furlong Jamie was the first to go for it but was no match when Dorian decided to raise its legs. Dorian came swooping down the front runners to have it easy in the end. Coral Springs followed the winner to be second. Dicta Royal and Man Of The Series completed the frame in that order. Golden Memories was troublesome in the gates and was withdrawn in the last minute.

Ravinder Singh trained Royal Rajkumari (Ravel-Speed Mistress) opened its account in the higher division of the Subramanya Bharati Plate. Royal Rajkumari was the last to jump out of the gates and settled down in about eighth position. Rounding the final bend Royal Rajkumari made a move from the extreme outside but started to go very wide even as Golden Phoenix surged ahead to take charge. Despite going wide Royal Rajkumari improved well to travel the better and win the race by a clear two lengths. Brioni came in late to neck out Golden Phoenix for the second place. Cirillo finished fourth.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Legend (Top Class-Acquisation) surprised everyone with some terrific turn of foot to clinch the higher division of the Indiscretion Plate. Dancing Farha and Rubyonrails showed plenty of early speed to lead the pack while Legend was in second last. On the straight Roi’s Cruise surged ahead and was being challenged by the favourite when Legend unleashed a terrific gallop from the extreme outside and swooped on the front runners. Roi’s Cruise held on to the second place by a whisker from Crown Royal.    

K.Satheesh trained Mighty Swing (Noverre-Farmers Swing) scored an encore in the lower division. The favourite City Of Wonders looked to be on the right course as they came on the straight, challenging Mangalyaan and going ahead. Mighty Swing creeped up slowly from behind and with a good gallop went past City Of Dreams in the final moments of the race. Vijay’s Triumph finished third and Brilliant Twist fourth.