Vishal Gaikwad trained Germanicus (Whatsthescript-Phenomenale / Nanoli Stud) carried the silks of Shirke’s to a thrilling victory in the Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr.2), the second classic of the Winter season at Hyderabad. London made a valiant bid was found a whisker short at the all important end.

Germanicus that had ended up as the runner-up to Accolade in the Pune Derby was the popular choice for the conventional mile trip with London not far away in terms of support. Star Councillor was off to a good start and set a decent pace. A little over two lengths away came Emperador followed by England, Mahathi, Carbonara, City Of Harmony, Germanicus and London. As they rounded the final turn Sandesh was quick to find a gap through the horses in front and went for it on Germanicus while Suraj Narredu decided to pull out London from around the field. Germanicus changed gears swiftly and shot through to grab the lead in the last 250 metres. London that took a longer route was travelling the fastest towards the closing stages, diminishing the margin rapidly but the winning post came to the rescue of Germanicus who held on by the proverbial whisker. Local challengers City Of Harmony and Star Councillor finished close behind in third and fourth respectively.

It was a stunning upset in the R.W.I.T.C Cup with Laxman Singh trained Red Rambble (Top Class-Lady Escort / Mukteshwar Stud) going on a start to finish win over the 2000 metres trip. Red Rambble was taken to the front as the eight runners were dispatched and the gelding galloped freely to establish a big lead of almost a distance. As they turned for home Red Rambble continued to dictate terms and with no challenge emerging from the rear, kicked on effortlessly. Greek Star was the best of the beaten lot followed by Tiger and Amazing Charm.

Anupam Sharma trained Military Belle (Oath-Shes Hip) went well under apprentice B.R.Kumar to win the Zurbaran Plate. Military Belle who had won last a year ago had strong support in the seven furlongs race almost sharing the favouritism with Valerian Steel. As they straightened up Valerian Steel who had not let go of a good position along the rails slipped in and was in front soon. Golden Arrow came up strongly from behind and as the race came to a boil Military Belle came flying widest of all and sped past to spare a length to Valerian Steel at the finish. Canberra warmed up late to take the third spot ahead of Golden Arrow.

D.Netto’s grey filly Rahul’s Pet (Green Coast-Singing Speed) who is in the best of form having won the last three starts continued to fire and won the fourth in the division I of the Own Vision Plate. Tipped as the 10-3 ‘on’ piping hot favourite Rahul’s Pet got to the front early in the race and stubbornly held off Seven Colours’s attempt to grab the lead. Inside the last 300 metres Rahul’s Pet picked up momentum under Louis Beuzelin even as Seven Colours fizzled out and headed to the winning post three lengths ahead of Ans Ans Ans. Legacy Machine finished third and seven Colours fourth.

Jockey Suraj Narredu piloted K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Dream Girl (Roi Maudit-Casual Look) to a fine win in the lower division. Chasing Catherine till the top of the straight Dream Girl surged ahead smoothly and thwarted the vain bid of Little Smart Heart and Preciosa. Dancing Leaf filled the frame. Aakash Vani was a non-starter in the race.   

Beuzelin was earlier astride S.A.Shehzad Abbas’s filly Princess Rose (China Visit-Adorer) to lift the Osman Sagar Cup. Princess Rose set off to chase Sir Walter Raleigh and began to challenge passing the last 300 metres. After matching strides for a brief while Princess Rose forged ahead and drew clear. Sir Walter Raleigh held on to the second place from a late warmer Rose ‘D’ Mumtaz.

S.S.Faisal Hassan schooled That’s My Class (Top Class-Bella) ran true to its name to start off the career on a winning note in the Crack Regiment Plate. Racing a handy fourth behind Treasure Striker, Warrior Supreme and Top Starchy till the last 300 metres That’s My Class picked up speed from the outside and stretched clear. Warrior Supreme, Star Gazer and Top Starchy filled the frame in that order.

The opening race of the day, the division II of the Birthday Girl Plate saw a pulsating finish with K.Satheesh’s New Comer (Ontario-Kalimanka) and N.Ravinder Singh’s Hard Fought (Princely Heur-I Have A Dream) going past the winning post in an un-separable photo finish. Tracking In Command till the top of the straight New Comer surged ahead. Hard Fought began to bridge the gap on every stride inside the last 150 metres and the two were locked together at the finish. The magic eye could not separate them and a dead-heat was declared. Al Sadr finished third and Mountain Of Light fourth.

Sk Waseem ahmed trained Yet Another (Equitable-Queens Message) won the concluding race of the day, the Zoom Zoom Plate. Racing a handy third behind Amazing Weapon and Racing Ikon all the way till entering the straight Yet Another rallied strongly from the outside and gained the lead inside the last 200 metres. Brioni came up late from the wide outside to beat Racing Ikon for the second place.