The atmosphere was electric and the crowds thronged the Hyderabad racecourse for their biggest event of the season, the Deccan Derby (Gr1). Traditionally held on the 2nd of October each year, a national holiday in fond memory of the occasion of the Mahatma’s birth anniversary, the huge holiday crowd was treated to some exciting races and thrilling finishes showcasing Hyderabad races in all its splendour. The feature race of the day saw hot favourite Star Superior (Excellent Art – Ramjet, Poonawalla Stud) emerging supreme to bag the coveted trophy for joint owners Dr Cyrus and Zavaray Poonawalla, Rajesh Narredu and Mr Sanjay Kumar Shinde.

Jockey Suraj Narredu bravely hit the front soon on start making his own pace and leading the field of four all through. Star Superior led comfortably with My Opinion in second, Corfe Castle followed this pair with Evon Von Brando at the tail end, this order of running never changed and that’s the line in which they finished as well.

Star Superior entered the straight with a handy lead and just when it looked he would have it easy all the way, jockey Akshay Kumar atop My Opinion drew a bit closer to Star Superior. Akshay Kumar has been the darling of the crowd particularly this season due to his high strike rate and impeccable riding. So when it looked like My Opinion was gearing up for a fight, the roar from the stand rose to high decibels, particularly when Star Superior started to drift out a tad under pressure. However, My Opinion flattered to deceive as he too veered out considerably making it a lot easier for Star Superior to skip away and bag the prestigious race. It was ‘mission accomplished’ for the connections of Star Superior having bagged both the Hyderabad Classics, the Deccan Colts’ and the Derby.

The long card of 10 events slated for the day kept the crowd enthralled through the day with some exciting finishes and some individual brilliance. Jockeys Suraj Narredu and Akshay Kumar stole the limelight with a double including the Derby for Suraj and a fine treble that delighted the crowd from Akshay.

Suraj Narredu had earlier piloted Isabella (Excellent Art – Messalina) to a fashionable victory making ample amends for missing out last time.  Suraj nursed the Laxman Singh trained filly in second spot going hard held all the way into the straight, just behind leader Royal Green. Once into the homestretch, Suraj relied on going hands and heels and Isabella showed fluent acceleration to stretch out nicely and giving no chance to her rivals. Nayadeep arrived with a late finish but made no impact on Isabella whatsoever the filly compiling a facile victory with lots to spare. Royal Green did well to finish in the money.

Jockey Akshay Kumar was once again the star performer of the day booting home three winners. He started with Exclusivenorthwind (Nett Whizz – Amended) in the day’s opener guiding the Sequeira colt to an easy victory.

Takisha led them into the straight and faded away. Hailstorm led briefly with Proclamation alongside. Exclusivenorthwind poked between the two and took charge approaching the distance post. Once he got to the front, Exclusivenorthwind quickened well to draw away and win by about three lengths thus achieving a grand back-to-back double for the season. Hailstorm ended second ahead of Alta Vita who improved positions towards the end.

Akshay next partnered George Cross (West Virginia – Celestina) to a splendid win tackling a big field of 16 with surprising ease. Commanding Boy led them into the straight with a bunch of horses snapping at his tail. Akshay Kumar pulled out George Cross and with a clear run ahead, started to accelerate, eating up ground at a brisk rate. There were others closing in too, but the Sequeira trained gelding finished on powerfully, to lunge forward and post a clear victory with a scramble on for the minor placing. O Ms Akilah, Indian Dreams, Commanding Boy and Rose Eternal brushed shoulders at the wire to finish in a heap.

Classy Guy (Net Whizz – Fiery Pegasus) benefitted in the hands of Akshay Kumar putting it across favourite Inci. Trump Girl led them into the straight and faded away. Akshay produced Classy Guy on the outside and went for the early run. Classy Guy responded well and they stole a march past the 400 m mark and that proved crucial for their success. Classy Guy skipped away and build a handy lead and by the time Inci moved up picking up speed, it was all over. Classy Guy just held on to win by a length from Inci, while Max did well to finish in the money.

Dream Catcher (Green Coast – Florshie) produced an aggressive push for the lead soon on entering the homestretch and that ploy proved a masterpiece for young apprentice jockey Rohit Kumar. The lad swung into action soon on turning for home and stretch away to build a handy lead. Rohit rode out vigorously all the way quelling any budding challenge even before it came by. In the end, Dream Catcher, trained by M Satyanarayana, won easing up by just over a length. Likewise managed to pip Preciosa for the runner up berth.

Exclusive Striker (Rebuttal – My Mood) trained by Robin Reddy struck well to win the Royal Calcutta Turf club Trophy. Jockey Nakhat Singh kept him behind leader Digger coming into the straight and soon overhauled Digger to take charge. Exclusive Striker responded well and galloped gamely but in the final 100 Handsome Boy and Buddy Brothers started to look a bit threatening as both were finishing on fast. However, Exclusive Striker held on to win a narrow half length from Handsome Boy, with Buddy Brothers finishing a length behind to scoop up place money.

Satin Symphony (China Visit – Five Satins) produced a scintillating burst of speed in the final furlong to floor the opposition and win handsomely. Vallee Ikon led them into the straight and held on grimly as long as he could before folding up. Curcumin was in a good position but faltered by drifting in and out under pressure. Satin Symphony looked good when he switched to top gear and arrived with a big gallop past the distance post. Once he picked up momentum the rest looked stranded. Satin Symphony was on song alright and he rushed past them all to score an emphatic victory promising to do well again the next time as well. Curcumin had to settle behind one who was better and Silver Dollar fought off Eau Claire for the third place.

Ravindra Singh trained Scooby Dooby Doo (Roi Maudit – Flaming Ruby) ridden by Ajit Singh put an astonishing finish to literally finish them all with a blinder. He was nowhere in sight when the spotlight was on Amazing Response who was well in front coming into the final furlong with the others trying hard to stay in contention. Eternal Angel then arrived with a good gallop to tackle Amazing Response and got past the leader. Just when Eternal Angel was being hailed, Champion Bull warmed up and galloping at a good clip in the dying moments of the race. However, Scooby Dooby Doo lit up at just the right time coming up with a lighting run that took one’s breath away timing his run to perfection and snatching victory literally on the wire, with a sensational finish worth going miles to watch!

L D’Silva trained Chinese Thought (Chinese Whisper – Pearls of Thought) won the concluding race of the marathon ten-race card in a closely fought finish. Amazing Venus fell back after leading them in and Chinese Thought got going to take charge midway up the straight. Jockey Md Ismail had to work all the way as he had but a slender lead and Wine N Dine getting threateningly close in the final 100 meters. The jockey kept his cool and rode out all the way to just about hold on to win by a short-head. Charlie Brown ran on to finish third.

For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar was the star of the day yet again with a commendable treble, jockey Suraj Narredu scored a double that included the Deccan Derby (Gr1). Trainers laxman Singh and RH Sequeira saddled a double each.