Vishal Gaikwad trained Germanicus (Whatsthescript-Phenomenale / Nanoli Stud) breezed home to score a thumping victory in the Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr.1) on the winter track at Malakpet, Hyderabad in front of a packed grand stand on Sunday. Jockey A.Sandesh who looked confident throughout the trip rode a neat and perfect race to get the bay colt smashing home. Germanicus is the property of Mr. & Mrs.Vijay B Shirke, M/s.K.N.Dhunjibhoy representing Five Stars Shipping Co Pvt Ltd and Farouq K Rattonsey representing Hyperion Bloodstock Pvt Ltd.

Germanicus, the winner of the 2000 Guineas here was neglected in the betting while the major flow of money was towards the runner-up of the race London. As the dozen runners  headed past the half way stage Royal Sceptre was firmly in front followed by Watchmyscript, Namid, Likewise, Star Nijinsky, Pallas, London, Handy Man, England, Germanicus, Adulation and Veronese in that order. Approaching the final turn Sandesh was already on the job and improved position on Germanicus, pulling him out for a clear run. With about 400 metres left on the straight Germanicus shot to the front to grab the lead and the winner was sighted long way from home with the rest of the field already under pressure. Germanicus stretched clear by over three lengths while the local filly Veronese finished on in second ahead of London. Adulation that braced the rear for most part of the race ended up fourth.

Competition was at its peak on the Derby day with close finishes being the order in five races. L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Vijay Viraaj (Jeremy-Linette / Capricon Stud) that was failing to get to the winner’s circle for over a year now managed to put its head in front at the all important end in the Secretariat cup. Exclusive Wind had taken command inside the last 300 metres and was working hard to stave off the challenge of Happy Guy from the outside. Vijay Viraaj in the meanwhile made its way between horses and with a final burst of speed pegged back Exclusive Wind on the last stride. Alameda rallied strongly from the inside to finish third ahead of Happy Guy. 

The speedy Double Charter (Lucifer Sam-Crown Charter) from D.Netto’s stables scored an encore in the Squanderer Cup. The filly took a good start and shot to the front but settled in third when Symbol Of Pride and Numinous went past. Into the last 400 metres the pair in front faded out and Double Charter quickly regained the lead. In the last 150 metres Kimono came charging with a challenge but jockey Louis Beuzelin on Double Charter kept waving his whip urging Double Charter to kick on and the filly responded well to stave off the challenge by three parts of a length. City Of Wonders and Military Belle finished third and fourth respectively.

Netto had earlier in the day scored through long-shot Batur (Chinese Whisper-Da Vinci Rose) in the Deccan Prince Cup. Magna Carta, a 20-1 shot was in the lead from the start and had a lead of over two lengths as they came into the last 200 metres. Batur emerged from the pack and started to inch closer to Magna Carta with every stride and finally collared the leader by a head at the post. Sweet March finished third in front of Awesome Approach. Prospero was withdrawn just before the race.

K.Satheesh schooled Star Gazer (Excellent Art-Awarding) pulled off a big win over the short priced favourite Palace On Wheels in the Youngsters Million, a terms race for 3 years old run over 1200 metres. Palace On Wheels was on the right track from the start leading the field of six youngsters. Rounding the final turn Star Gazer moved closer from the outside. On the final stretch Star Gazer moved alongside making a strong bid and Palace On Wheels fought back bravely from the inside. The two of them matched strides for almost a furlong and finally Star Gazer forged ahead to register its maiden win by three parts of a length. Top Starchy stayed on in third and Juneau filled the frame.

M.Srinivas Reddy trained Doroteo (China Visit-Dazzling Queen) just managed to scrape through from the final assault of Euro Zone in the Peddapalli Plate. Jockey Imran Chisty took Doroteo to the front as the gates opened for the nine furlongs trip and enjoyed a good lead till into the straight. On the straight Mirfield started to challenge but that was not enough to head past. With a furlong left Euro Zone devoured ground but failed to collar Doroteo as the winning post came to its rescue. Ashwa Ashoka was also gaining ground towards the finish to finish third. Elysian ended up fourth.

Srinivas Reddy got his double through Cloud Dancer (Don Micheletto-Sky Bright) in the Artistic Tribute Plate. The 7 years old grey gelding was off to a good start and set to track the leader Roma Rouge. Inside the last 400 metres Cloud Dancer surged ahead to lead the pack but there were almost four contenders breathing fire on its neck. The fastest among them was Forever Bullish who got closer with every stride but fell short by a neck at the finish. Golden Xanthus and Back To Business were third and fourth respectively in a close finish. Dhool Ka Phool was a non-starter in the race.

In another close finish of the day Zoheb Shaikh trained Nautanki (Abbeyside-Prize Magic) pulled out all its resources to emerge a whisker ahead of Pentagon in the Sikander E Aazam Cup. Valee Tiger set off in front over the 2000 metres trip and Nautanki braced the rear till passing the 1000 metres. From there on Nautanki made a swift move from around the field and had grabbed the lead by the time they straightened up. Pentagon slipped in along the rails and looked to be travelling the better even as Nautanki came under pressure and shifted out slightly. The race caller also mentioned that Nautanki was ‘on an empty tank’ but the 4 years old pulled off that extra bit to hit the winning post first by a nose under A.M.Tograllu. Al Sadr was third another four lengths away with Bullish Approach filling the frame.    

R.H.Sequeira trained Ambitious Approach (Mathematecian-Dance N Celebrate) that was only on its second start won the Aristocrat Cup in an impressive fashion. After a not so impressive start Ambitious Approach that travelled with the bunch at the back early on. As they neared the final bend the chestnut gelding improved quickly and shot to the front to grab the lead from Amazing Venus approaching the last 300 metres. Ambitious Approach stretched out easily to extend the lead and won from Royal Dynamite takeing the second spot ahead of Palisades Park and Amazing Venus.

S.S.Faisal Hassa trained Ayur Jyothi (Ravel-Aunt Annie) opened its account in the concluding race of the day, the Storm Trooper Plate. The filly improved positions gradually and grabbed the lead approaching the last 300 metres. From there on the filly kicked on to keep Kohinoor Flare at bay inside the last 100 metres. Prep One and Cannon Hope finished third and fourth respectively.