It was a classic Dead-heat in the feature of the day, the Nawab Khaja Moinuddin Khan Memorial Cup at Hyderabad on Monday. The race favourite Eternal Angel ridden by R.J.Hannam got there on time to join K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s Celtic Queen at the finish of the 1100 metres dash. Amazing Venus set off on a start to finish bid and was stubbornly holding on to the lead as they came into the last 100 metres. Eternal Angel looked to be lost on top of the straight but the filly started to raise a gallop with a furlong left to go. The three converged together as they neared the winning post and flashed past the post. The magic eye could not separate Celtic Queen and Eternal Angel and then judge announced a deat-heat between them. Amazing Venus lost out by a neck to be third.

M. Sathyanarayana trained City Of Pearls (Noverre-Pearl Moon that had run into a suggestive third in the last attempt scored an impressive victory in the Red Orchid Plate. The 5 years old ridden by Akshay Kumar was well on the haunches of Perfection all the way from the start. As they neared the 300 metres board City Of Pearls stormed to the lead and kicked on easily even as Khoshgel made a futile attempt. Gayle Force and Mighty Swing finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey Akshay Kumar had earlier in the day pulled off an upset through S.S. Faisal Hassan trained Supurinto (Green Coast-Golden Shower) in the division II of the Perceived Value Cup. Racing a handy fourth till entering the straight Supurinto gained ground from the outside and flashed past the front runners. The filly ran a bit erratic while raising a gallop and came in the way of Far Sight who was also being ridden out by Suraj Narredu. Suraj after finishing second on his mount lodged an objection against the rider of Supurinto for interference and that was overruled by the Stewards. Treasure Striker finished on in third followed by So Far.

In the higher division it was another upset from trainer Arjun Anne’s stables. Rutilant (Deann’s Kitten-Almanzora Bay) pulled off that upset from the short priced favourite Southern Promise. Rutilant disputed the lead with Golden Hope in the initial stages and set off on a clear lead. Inside the last 300 metres Rutilant started to veer out of the straight course but still managed to stay clear of the favourite Southern Promise who tried hard to make it from the inside. Creator and Clarisa filled up the frame in that order.

Trainer Prasad Raju sent out another big upset through Proud Warrior (Green Coast-Okati Okati Okati) in the Forest King Cup. Into the straight Arc Of History and Takisha were involved in a duel with Proud Warrior a couple of lengths away. As the winning post neared Proud Warrior flew in from behind and snatched the victory from Arc Of History on the post. Marina Del Rey also flashed in to take the third spot in front of Takisha. 

Anupam Sharma trained Symbol Of Gold (Pinson-Saddlers Star) came good to win the Rangareddy Plate. Chasing the leader Time Is Luck till into the straight Symbol Of Gold surged to take over the running. Magical Skill came up fast from the outside inside the last 100 metres but Symbol Of Gold kicked clear to stay ahead by quarter of a length. Prime Time finished third ahead of Golden Image.

Jockey A. Sandesh who had just one mount for the day had an armchair ride on it. Astride D.Netto’s Indian Aristocrat (Burden Of Proof-Midnight Melody) in the division III of the Deccan Prince Plate Sandesh took a good jump and shot to the lead. Enjoying a steady lead all theIndian Aristocrat won uncontested in the ‘no whip race’. Tough Princess, Mean Machine and Royal Dancer.

In a similar fashion R.H. Sequeira schooled Striker (Roi Maudit-Shadow Dancing) made it a pillar to post victory in the division I of the maidens’ scurry. While Striker stretched clear, Handsome Boy finished second ahead of Royal Gift and Glorious Grey.

L.D’Silva trained Dean’s Gal (Dean’s Kitten-Rossa Di Rugiada / Sohna Stud) opened its account in the division I of the Mr. Prospector Plate. Racing a handy third all the way behind Pegasus and Dione, Dean’s Gal picked up momentum approaching the last 200 metres and sped past to open up and score an impressive win. Dione worked hard to get the better of Pegasus for the second place. Our Ensign was a non-starter in the race.