Favourites took a back seat as only Bradfield College obliged in the seven event card, some rank outsiders too chipping in to upset fancied runners.

Paprika (Tariq – Encouragement) was one such friendless runner who created a flutter in the feature event of the day, the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Memorial Cup for Class I horses. Paprika dashed to the front soon on start and worked up a good pace to lead them into the straight.

Paprika, with five-kilo claimer Afroz Khan in the saddle, worked up good pace and stayed ahead galloping hard under the urging of her jockey. The challenge mounted up in the final furlong as That’s My Magic and Dance Oh Dance started to catch up fast. Rahul’s pet did not get a clear run, while Breezeofthesouth came in far too late. Nevertheless, it was the grit shown by Paprika and jockey Afroz Khan that saw them ward off the challengers and carve out a narrow win in a thrilling finish.

Bradfield College (Teofilo – Luminous One) came good in his fourth start to achieve his maiden success but not without some anxious moments at the business end of the race. Jockey Prashant Dhebe settled the Deshmukh ward nicely in second until the turn with Musashi leading them into the straight. Dhebe then got Bradfield College to surge ahead without encountering much resistance from Musashi. Bradfield College shaped well past the distance post, but started to drift away under pressure. Big Brave saw the opportunity and pushed for it coming dangerous close to Bradfield College, who had drifted all the way towards the stand side. Fortunately for the on-money favourite, it didn’t break her rhythm and when there was no more room for him to veer out, Bradfield College sped ahead to bag the upper division of the Srinivasa Sadagopa Sharma memorial Cup. Big Brave tried hard but lost to a superior horse. Brave Warrior ended third just under four lengths behind.

Staridar (Oath – Starrynessy) saddled by trainer Prasad Raju won the lower division of the race. Staridar improved position quickly on start and went for the lead soon after the first furlong. He entered the straight with a small lead but built on it showing good initial acceleration and was soon skipping away from the rest. Alta Vita was too far back and had a tad too much to do in the final furlong. Staridar showed no signs of slowing down making the task herculean for Alta Vita. In the last 100 meters Alta Vita revved up and arrived at high speed but there was just not enough ground for her to topple the winner. Staridar held on by a narrow margin to win from Alta Vita and His Excellency.

Mon General (Arazan – Mauna Kea) set the trend for start to finish victory through the day and pulled off a sensation win on debut. The two year old showed pleasing maturity running close to the inner fence all the way and then accelerating well to sustain through the long Hyderabad straight. Aon Aon Aon did try hard to offer a challenge, but Mon General was equal to the task in keeping his challenger at bay. He finished on with a flourish piling up a huge win by a margin of close to four lengths and that indeed is a great start for his career. Tough Lady improved in the straight and did well to beat favourite Aon Aon Aon for the runner-up berth.

Wave Rider tasted his first defeat on his fourth start after a dazzling first three successes. He was giving weight to his rivals and he was gallant in his defeat too. Kingswood (Air Support – Flamingo) made all the right moves at the right time. Jockey YS Srinath used all his skills to pick up a third career win for Kingswood.

Kingswood had a fight on his hands alright as King Maker, who had led them well into the straight was proving a tough nut to crack. Jockey YS Srinath wore Kingmaker down and grabbed the lead coming into the final furlong and surged ahead. Wave rider warmed up far too late but arrived with a fast finishing effort, only to see Kingswood stay on ahead by ¾ L – the winning post arriving just a couple of strides too early for Wave Rider. King Maker did well to finish a close third.

Sweetie Pie (Burden of Proof – Songlark) put in a superlative effort in the hands of apprentice jockey Afroz Khan scoring a fluent start to finish victory. Sweetie Pie showed good early speed to rush into the lead and once in the straight quickened further to make it a no-contest soon enough. The Srinivas Reddy ward steered clear and left nothing to chance to romp home by over three lengths. Thundering ran on to take the second slot ahead of Vallee Bloomer. Favourite Limousine ended a tame fourth.

Sefarina (Mr Mellon – She’s Got the Look) was another long-shot to pull of a neat start to finish bid. She led from the start and once in the straight, Moon Walker did try to apply pressure, but Sefarina stood up well as did jockey Ajit Singh as they went about the task fully focussed and determined. Sefarina stretched away with a sort of a re-run to score comfortably in the end. Even the strong finishing run from Ultimate Risk made little impact on the Ravinder Singh’s ward. Sefarina won with a length to spare with Ultimate Risk pegging back Moon Walker for the second slot. Aalishaan, who was slow at the start, did well to finish close behind the top three and fill the frame.

For the professionals, trainer Srinivas Reddy and LVR Deshmukh saddled a double each, while apprentice jockey Afroz Khan scored his first career double.