Arjun Mangalorkar trained Aster Rose (Multidimensional-Lei / Usha Stud) kept up to the trust of her supporters to lift the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes – Gr.3, the first Classic of the Monsoon season at Hyderabad. Having finished as the runner-up in the Bangalore Derby Aster Rose was the overwhelming choice among the six contenders for the mile trip at 11-10.

The local challenger Prospero who was going into the race with a hat-trick of wins from as many starts set the ball rolling as the race started off. Cheerleader tracked in second with Aster Rose settling comfortably in third followed by Aika Aika Aika, Anantara and Courtship. Rounding the final turn and into the straight jockey S.John started to work on the favourite and the daughter of Multidimensional responded readily to be up with the leader. Aster Rose surged ahead with a furlong left and was sighted a winner well before the line. Prospero held on gamely in second from Aika Aika Aika. Cheerleader finished fourth.

K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Rio Rojo (Tejano-Auberge / Kunigal Stud) who has hit a purple patch having won two starts on the go and gunning for a hat-trick had the maximum support to win the Delage Plate. The 6 year old did not disappoint and won the 2400 metres race by a lengthening margin. Humraaj set off in front and Rio Rojo was settled nicely in second followed by the rest. Jockey Suraj Narredu made his move on Rio Rojo as they approached the last 600 metres and forged ahead to take it up. On the straight Rio Rojo found no threat emerging from behind and extended the lead to over ten lengths. Blue Eyed Babe finished on being second in front of Humraaj.

Awesome Approach (Abbeyside-Terra Nova) from trainer R.H.Sequeira’s yard who had won on debut scored an encore in fine style in the Con Amore Cup. The bay filly settled quickly in fourth after jumping out from an outward draw with Paprika heading the field followed by Indian Dreams and Gorgeous Lady. Approaching the last 300 metres Trevor made his move on Awesome Approach and the filly accelerated in a trice to surge past Paprika. Indian Dreams finished second with Paprika pushed down to third. Gorgeous Lady ended up fourth.

T.Srinagesh trained Queen To Rule (Hammerstein-Accentuate) opened its account in the Diablo Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for maiden 3 years old. Queen To Rule was smartly out of the gates but settled in second when Shakesphere showed early speed to take over the running. Mid-way up the straight Queen To Rule tackled the leader and surged ahead to score comfortably. The favourite Super Racer was hard at work along the rails but lost out the second place to Harvest Moon close to the winning post. Good Image finished fourth.

P.S.Chouhan rode a pillar to post win on M.Sathyanarayana trained City Of Harmony (Rebuttal-Well Rehearsed) in the A.Krishnaswami Memorial Cup. Tinsel Town was withdrawn just before the start and City Of Harmony made its way to the front as the five runners settled down. Leading all the way City Of Harmony continued to dictate terms even as Dancing Leaf made a futile bid in second. Xharlie Brown was third and Dream Vision fourth.

Chouhan had earlier in the opener, the Blue Max Cup scored on K.Satheesh trained Like Wise (Dancing Forever-Farha). On entering the home stretch Monte Rosa surged ahead to take over the running from the weakening Surprise Party. Elysian was close behind and Like Wise moved inwards to take the shortest way. Like Wise was cought in a pocket 250 metres from home and Chouhan decided to pull her out to make a bid. Like Wise had plenty in her legs when shown the daylight from the outside and skipped away to score comfortably from Elysian and Monte Rosa.

S.A.Shehzad Abbas trained Princess Rose (China Visit-Adorer) scored an easy victory in the Starsky Plate. Blaze Of Glory brought the field into view on the straight but was soon overtaken by Accelerator. Princess Rose gradually improved from around sixth position and making way in the centre of the track surged ahead inside the last 200 metres. Apache Gal and Lavender charged in late to finish second and third respectively from Accelerator.