It was celebration time at the Kunigal Stud Farm when Accolade, the son of Burden Of Proof won the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes (Gr3) at Malakpet, Hyderabad. The triumph of Accolade was the 100^th Classic victory for a Kunigal Bred horse, a feat that has been achieved by only four other stud farms in the country.

Pesi Shroff trained Accolade winner of the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi Million was the overwhelming favourite for the second classic of the season at less than half money among the five horses that lined up for the conventional mile trip. The only local contender Leading Legend raced to the front as the gates opened and opened a gap of almost four lengths. Pallas ran second followed by Royal Sceptre, Accolade and Whomakestherules all in a single file.

As they turned for home Leading Legend came in first but it looked evident that he would surrender that leeway soon. The rest of the four runners were almost in a line behind the leader on top of the straight and Accolade was travelling the best. Accolade was in total control as he cruised past the leader and Trevor just gave him one tap to keep him going. Whomakestherules followed Accolade to be the runner-up. Leading Legend stayed on in third and Royal Sceptre filled the frame.

The speedy Vijays Joy (Stern Opinion-Jia Yoh Jia Yoh / Lumbini Stud) scored an encore in the Original Vel Mrs.Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup, a 1200 metres sprint for horses in the highest category. Vijays Joy took a good jump from the outermost draw and apprentice Abhishek Pawar kept him going straight for the first 100 metres. The grey gelding quickly moved in to get to the rails and be the front runner. Inside the last 400 metres Vijays Joy kept going well and stretrched out easily even as Morning Miracle made a futile bid to bridge the gap. City Of Dreams finished third and Sketch Of Beauty fourth.

M Srinivas Reddy trained Breezeofthesouth (Dancing Forever-Queen Of Normand) just managed to hold on to the lead in the Prince Of Berar Trophy. Breezeofthesouth dashed to the lead from an inward draw and got to the lead. As they straightened for home Breezeofthesouth was still travelling well in front with jockey Srinath having a look behind on top of the straight. As they neared the winning post Western Wind and Top Contender came charging towards the leader and the lead diminished fast. The winning post came to the rescue of Breezeofthesouth who held on by a neck at the wire. Western Wind was second and Top Contender finished third another head away.

Gayle Force (Gaswar-Calliope) gave trainer K.S.V.Prasad Raju another point in the division I of the Red Satin Plate. Kohinoor Grace led from the start and Gayle Force after a lethargic beginning settled towards the rear in second last. On top of the straight Kohinoor Grace continued to be in front with Gayle Force still in second last position. Gayle Force started to improve from the wide outside and the 5 year old tackled every front runner and sped past Kohinoor Grace inside the last 50 metres. The favourite Vijays Grandeour could only manage to finish third ahead of Kimono.

D.Netto’s Net Champ (Burden Of Proof-Sunny Clime / Kunigal Stud) justified the favouritism in the lower division. Net Champ was off to a good start from draw one but settled in second when Aston Doulton took a big lead. On the straight as they approached the last 400 metres Net Champ tackled the leader and surged ahead easily. Wind Zoom could only finish second 3 ½ lengths behind the winner beating Aston Doulton. Romantic Fire was a close fourth.

K.R.K.Raju trained Kohinoor Karishma (Win Legend-Money With Talent) who had found one better in its last three starts scored a comfortable win in the Star Haven Cup. Apprentice Kunal Bunde took Kohinoor Karishma to the front as the field settled down. Western Express raced in second with Trustful in third followed by the rest. The first three runners came in the same order into the straight and continued that way till the winning post.

K.Satheesh schooled Handy Man (Dancing Forever-Tourmalet) shed its maiden ranks in its ninth attempt in the Sweeping Success Cup. Ashwa Ashoka went to the lead followed by Avantika and Olympic Hero. Handy Man was ranging up from the outside in fourth as they started to round the final bend. Approaching the last 200 metres Handy Man produced a good gallop to take over the running and spare a length and a half to Ashwa Ashoka. Olympic Hero beat Avantika for the fourth place.

Canberra (Sedgefield-Sparkling Champagne / AB Stud) from trainer S.S.Faisal Hassan’s yard who was winless from 14 starts opened its account in the opener of the day, the division I of the Red Rufus Plate. Canberra raced in third till the top of the straight while Fresco and Hard Fought ran one and two. Inside the last 400 metres Canberra made its move between the front runners and went clear even as the favourite Hard Faught went miles wide and ended up second. Kohinoor Flare and Brioni finished third and fourth respectively.