The Deccan Fillies’ Championship Stakes (Gr3) saw an engaging finish that was gripping all the way to the wire. Well Connected (Arazan Guest Connections, Poonawalla Stud) was the overwhelming favourite to win this one easily post her monumental success in the triumph in the Bangalore Fillies and the Kingfisher Ultra Bangalore Derby (Gr1). The classy filly, from ‘big-race’ trainer S Padmanabhan’s yard, rose to the occasion and showed immense fighting qualities that soared her reputation even more for rising-from-the-brink to snatch victory on the last stride!  

The 10/1 shot Gift of Grace assumed early command and led the field of eight with Thailand close behind. Exclusive Art kept Well Connected company with the rest following close behind.

Gift of Grace showed there was good reason why she made the trip from Bangalore with a determined bid and a never-say-die attitude to go with it. The lesser-experienced filly galloped her heart out and Thailand, the second in demand, was under pressure, not being able to get past Gift of Grace. Well Connected was ridden hard too and jockey A Sandesh had to dig deep not only to keep the filly going but to also pick up acceleration to draw level with the fighting duo. With the winning post in sight, Well Connected had to do something special and do it immediately. She did just that as if she knew what was required. Well Connected produced a fiery burst in the last few strides to nail Gift of Grace right on the post and pull off a sensational victory in a three-way finish! It’s that little extra they say, that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary and Well Connected whipped up that extra bit instantly just at the precise moment that earned her wholesome accolades from the crowded Grand Stand.

Gift of Grace ended a gallant second and was a tad unlucky to have missed out on a big win. Thailand too fought all the way ending alongside the top two. It was a treat to watch the three fillies locked in battle through the final furlong.   

Mon General (Arazan – Mauna Kea), with apprentice jockey Gaurav Singh astride, picked up his third career win with a clinical start to finish effort to clinch the Prince of Berar Trophy. He set off to a good start and maintained his lead right through. He kicked away soon on turning for home and although Blazer was prominently poised close behind him, the Srinivas Reddy ward held his own and marched on to score comfortably. Shandaar arrived with a big gallop in the final 100 meters, but could only manage to usurp the runner-up berth from Blazer, finishing a length behind the winner.

Trainer Sequeira’s Gusty Look (Gusto – Radical Attraction) put in a gutsy performance at the business end to score a commendable victory despite carrying a heavy impost of 62.5 kilos over the mile distance. It was indeed hard work for jockey Akshay Kumar who had to cover some leeway as Sporting Smile had stolen a march soon on turning for home. Further, the presence of rider-less Honourable Guest who had dislodged the rider was a concerning hindrance. Akshay managed to skirt around the filly and then began to wear Sporting Smile down.  He was inching closer but the winning post was getting closer with every stride as well and with Sporting Smile kicking on gamely, it did look an uphill task for the top weight. Gusty Look made a last ditch effort in the final fifty and gathered momentum to charge forward at just the right time to collar Sporting Smile and carve out a narrow win. Brave Warrior ran on to save place money. Southern Lady showed good early speed but wilted sooner than expected. She would do well over the shorter sprints.

City of Wisdom (Saamidd – Oluchi) arrived with a powerful burst in the final furlong to blow away his rivals and score his maiden victory in an impressive manner. The long-shot was way behind when favourite Best in Show turned for home with a healthy lead. However, Best in Show could not sustain and squandered away a good start. She drifted out considerably and that didn’t help her cause.

Sterling King slipped in along the rails and gave his supporters something to shout about. However, Silver Set got past easily and before she could set off, she was collared by the fast finishing City of Wisdom, jockey Deepak coming along all guns blazing as the Satyanarayana trainee stormed ahead to score an impressive victory. Silver Set was a good second, while Sterling King ended third ahead of Lesley.

Debutante Galloping Gangster (Declaration of War – Firebird) was well ridden by jockey Ashhad Asbar in getting the Laxman Singh ward to a timely acceleration that helped him achieve a memorable debut win.  

Galloping Gangster took charge early in the straight when he stormed past leader Mind Reader. Once he took charge, Galloping Gangster picked up good speed and shaped well to score a facile victory. However, Maxwell started to warm up past the distance post and he too picked up well and arrived at a brisk pace. Galloping Gangster managed to hold off the late challenger to carve out victory with Maxwell finishing on his haunches. Maxwell is one for the note books and should benefit from this good effort. Mind Reader ended a faraway third, just ahead of Nova Scotia.

Carmella (New Famous – Commelina) who had a grand dress rehearsal last time out, showed plenty of initial speed and later capitalized on it to achieve her maiden success in her fourth start. The Satyanarayana trainee galloped freely after a good jump and led them into the straight. Jockey Kuldeep Singh then drove her ahead and soon she amassed a decisive lead. Carmella drifted out in the final furlong and that gave a sniff of a chance to O’Brien and Merry Lane momentarily. However, jockey Kuldeep Singh corrected her course quickly enough and the momentum carried her through to score by a good four-lengths-plus margin. O’Brien beat Merry Lane for the runner-up slot.

As though paying tribute to the Hyderabad based Badminton queen PV Sindhu who won the world crown hours earlier, our racing fraternity’s  equine Sindhu, from the stables of trainer Ananta Vatsalya put in an inspired gallop to win the concluding race of the day. There could have been no better culmination to an exciting day!

Sindhu (Stern opinion – Mustarde) fought off Limousine soon on turning for home and accelerated fluently to go clear approaching the distance post. Jockey Afroz Khan left nothing to chance and rode out vigorously to guide the filly to her maiden win which came on her 18th start. Diesis Dream improved to finish second ahead of Story Teller.

Trainer Satyanarayana was the lone pro to score a double.