R.H. Sequeira trained Aika Aika Aika (Win Legend-Masquenada / Dashmesh Stud) produced a brilliant turn of foot down the long stretch on the winter track at Malakpet to lift the Speaker’s Cup. The speedy Amorous White set out on a start to finish bid over the 1400 metres trip and Aika Aika Aika raced in seventh position. As the eleven runners straightened up on the straight Aika Aika Aika was set alight from the extreme outside by jockey Akshay Kumar and the filly with a terrific gallop stormed to the lead. Like Wise also moved with fast gallop from the rear but could only finish second ahead of Amorous White. Mr. Baahubali completed the frame.

Jockey Akshay Kumar was the centre of attraction on the day winning four races in a row from the eight that were run. Rubyonrails, Ta Ta and China Millennium were the other successful mounts of the young lad. Rubyonrails (Roi Maudit-Flaming Ruby) also from Sequeira’s stables had not shown any form last season and had come down by a class. The 6 years old was backed as the firm favourite for the 1100 metres dash and she produced a fast gallop inside the last furlong to justify the favouritism, beating stable mate Undu Undu Undu in a photo finish. Rapidest who led from the start finished third in the same photo. Delta Force finished fourth.

Akshay Kumar had to work a bit to get Ta Ta (Rebuttal-Elzain / Hazara Stud) to the winning post in the Flying Treasure Plate. Sir Walter Raleigh led from the word ‘go’ over the 1800 metres trip and was there in front till passing the distance post. Symbol Of Star’s was hard at work and was getting the better of the leader when Ta Ta and Bullish Approach came charging from the very wide outside to finish first and second respectively. Symbol Of Star’s was beaten third followed by Sir Walter Raleigh. 

Young filly China Millennium (China Visit-Lei / Usha Stud) from trainer S.S.Faisal Hassan’s yard wraped it up in the Ming Dynasty Plate, the concluding race of the day. China Millennium raced towards the rear in about ninth while Aerofil set off in the lead. As they passed the distance post Aerofil continued to be in the lead and China Millennium started to cover ground wide of the track. The filly ridden by Akshay Kumar surged ahead in the closing stages and got to the wire first. The race favourite Et Voici came in with a late dash to beat Aerofoil for the second place. Indian Dreams finished a close fourth.  

Trainer K. Satheesh was another successful professional, leading in three winners through Poll Promise, Happy Together and Euro Zone. The first two named were ridden by apprentice C.P. Boppanna while Nakhat Singh was on the other. Euro Zone (Lord Admiral-Run For Roses) whose only win so far was as a 2 year old two years ago scored an upsetting win in the Ch V. Lakshmi Prasad Rao “Sirdesai” Sircilla Memorial Plate. The 4 years old set off on a start to finish bid over the 2000 metres trip and was clear by over two lengths as they showed up in the straight. Air Strike was in chase throughout the stretch to bridge the gap but Euro Zone kicked on to pull it off. Treasure Striker was finishing on to be third followed by City Of Sails.

Poll Promise (Noverre-Lightning Speed) was given a good ride by apprentice C.P. Boppanna to win the division I of the S.R. Captain Memorial Plate. Aakash Vani was on a start to finish bid and was still there in front coming into the last furlong. Poll Promise moved places in the straight and with the rider pushing vigorously, travelled the better to beat Aakash Vani by a short margin. Charming Beauty and Hunter’s Pride finished third and fourth respectively.

Debutante Happy Together (Tazahum-Regal Glory) showed a clean pair of heels to score impressively in the division II of the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate. Racing a handy fourth entering the straight, Happy Together was pulled on the outside and the filly raised a fluent gallop to win effortlessly. The short priced favourite Air Salute rallied on in second followed by Secretary and Baywatch Babe.

D.Netto trained Lightning Finn (Green Coast-Finfoot) won the higher division of the race for maiden youngsters. The filly showed some early speed to get to the front soon after the start. Hanoi started to gather momentum along the rails with a furlong left and jockey Fergus Sweeney began to ride out Lightning Finn and got her to accelerate enough to hit the winning post first. Jazz It Up managed to edge out Shaquille for the third place.