K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Lady In Lace (Chinese Whieper-Sea Spray / Tohana Stud) won the first classic of the season, the Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (Gr.3) in an amazing fashion on Monday at Hyderabad. The filly that is on a roll, scripting a fourth straight success beat the highly acclaimed multi classic winner Manifold. The manner in which Lady In Lace accelerated in the final furlong with jockey Y.S.Srinath in a confident stance doubles up her chances in the Derby here on the 2^nd of October.

Manifold was taken to the front by Neeraj Rawal as the gates opened followed by Mahateji and Fashion High. Lady In Lace had moved up to be a close fourth nearing the half way mark with Meritocracy and Juneau in tow. Entering the straight Neeraj started to ride out Manifold to keep the lead. Lady In Lace shifted gears and moved smoothly to overhaul the favourite when unleashed from the outside. For the record Mahateji and Meritocracy filled the frame in that order.

Jockey Trevor who is heading for a riding stint in Australia displayed his skills while successfully bringing home M. Srinivas Reddy’s Doroteo (China Visit-Dazzling Queen / Usha Stud) in the Delage Plate. Doroteo tracked Coruba till the approaching the mile marker and decided to take over the mantle. Aware of the fact that the long stretch at this centre would help some late gallopers, Trevor was at work on Doroteo right from the top of the straight and built up a useful lead. Euro Zone indeed began to close the gap with a big run but Trevor managed to squeeze out some extra from Doroteo and got to the winning post half a length ahead. Carolina Moon finished in the money in front of Al Sadr.

D. Netto trained Big Heart (Western Aristocrat-Ciel Fleuri) was backed with conviction in the Blue Max Cup and the 3 years old chestnut gelding  justified that support by scoring a runaway victory. Big Heart was up with the pace alongside Dance Oh Dance and Ashwa Bahula in the early part of the race and surged ahead with ease inside the last 400 metres. The youngster stretched out to increase the margin of victory to almost 7 lengths while Ashwa Bahula just managed to get to second from Golden Hope and Dance Oh Dance.

Trainer Laxman Singh continued with his winnings with a double through Heathrow and Palace On Wheels. Heathrow (Rebuttal-Wajanaat) scored impressively on debut in the division I of the Diablo Plate. Heathrow was the last to jump out of the gates among the ten in the race and settled in third last while Aerofil went on a start to finish bid. Aerofil gave up mid-way up the straight and Royal Green took over the charge. Heathrow who started to pick on the front runners once on the straight maneuvered her way and with a burst of speed shot clear in the last 100 metres. Royal Green stayed on in second followed by Wannawin and Joy Of Giving in a close finish for the minor places.

Palace On Wheels (Rebuttal-Sunset Boulevard) just managed to scrape through by a whisker from Warrior Supreme in the Donegal Plate. Proud Warrior brought the field into view on the straight but was shortening strides. Palace On Wheels in chase forged ahead and Warrior Supreme also started to move up with a strong gallop. The two fought out and headed past the winning post together. Palace On Wheels had emerged as the winner when the results of the photo finish was announced. Top Starchy and Sweet Pistol finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey R.J.Hannam rode L.V.R.Deshmukh’s youngster Inzaire (Rebuttal-Maid Of Artois) to a pillar to post victory in the race for maiden 3 years old, the division II of the Diablo Plate. Starlight that was in chase of Inzaire right from the word ‘go’ tried hard to bridge the gap but failed and ended up second. Be Sure and Air Strike filled the frame in that order.

Invasion (Opportunist-Integer) from trainer S.S. Faisal Hassan’s stable that was winless from 13 starts finally came good in the division I of the Starsky Plate. The filly rushed from an outward draw to be with the front bunch and was a clear second behind Sir Walter Raleigh as they passed the 800 metres board. Entering the straight Invasion surged to the front but started to drift out of the straight course. Ayur Jyothi was putting up a challenge from the outside and Jayin came with a flash from the inside as they neared the winning post. Invasion and Jayin went past the wire together wide apart and the verdict went in favour of Invasion. Ayur Jyothi finished third and Angels Bay fourth. Touch Of Gold was withdrawn near the gates.

Anupam Sharma trained Shivalik Arrow (Rebuttal-Queen Consort) scored an encore in the lower division. Zensational went on a start to finish bid and looked good as they came into the last 150 metres. Shivalik Arrow was ridden hard by apprentice B.R.Kumar and the filly responded with a determined gallop to down the leader by half a length. Dear Friend was third further behind followed by Ryuzaki.

Anupam Sharma and B.R.Kumar had earlier combined to score on La Romance (Roi Maudit-Romance In Rain) in the opener of the day, The Red Chieftan Cup. Shooting to the front as the gates opened from the innermost draw La Romance had a sizable lead all the way and stretched out uncontested to the winning post. Ashka Ashka Ashka, Celtic Queen and Champion Bull filled the frame in that order.