It was a special day at the Hyderabad racecourse as people made their way in large numbers to witness the Deccan Derby (Gr1) after a prolonged wait. The race had been rescheduled from its traditional date of October 2nd that is this race is always run on, due to the stable staff going on strike. There had been a series of discussion held by the staff union with the onwers’ and trainers’ associations along with the Club authorities, but no truce could be reached despite repeated efforts by all concerned. This is something that needs to be resolved and powers that be need to ensure that such important events are not disrupted in future.

The Derby day panned out to be an exciting one though and the nine races on offer saw some tight finishes living up to the high expectations of an enthralling day. The Derby itself brought forth the glorious uncertainties of the sport with Consigliori stunning at least two top notch contenders in favourite Well Connected and the very talented Impavid the second-in-demand. This pair had fought a hard battle in the Kingfisher Ultra Bangalore Derby (Gr1) and Well Connected had just about won edging out Impavid close home. Well Connected then arrived at Hyderabad and proved their mettle while also sounding the warning to the local challengers by annexing the Fillies’ and Colts’ Championships – the lead-ups to the Deccan Derby. Hence, the betting too resolved around these two with Well Connected being the stronger fancy at odds less than evens.

Consigliori was coming off a comfortable victory, but against lesser mortals and no one thought much about it. The three-year-old colt is owned by United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Ltd & Mr Aditya Thackersey. Consigliori who is sired by Air Support out of Caprese and bred at the Kunigal Farm, ran the best race of his budding career over the extended distance of 2000 meters, which he had never attempted earlier. And he went for it from the word go!

Consigliori took-off at a sedate pace and gradually stepped it up through the backstretch. Royal Crystal settled in second with Tetra Rama and Artistryy close behind, followed by Well Connected and Cape Kidnappers who had Impavid behind them.   

 Jockey Ajeeth Kumar played his cards well and alerted Consigliori soon on turning for home stealing a march on the others and compiled a handy lead without his mount having to spend too much. Both Well connected and Impavid had a lot of ground to cover and both were seen being urged well before the turn.

Consigliori showed no signs of slowing down and with Jockey Ajeeth Kumar sensing that he was almost there, he put in his extra bit to ride out astutely, getting the best out of the LVR Deshmukh ward as well. Consigliori was courageous and right up the task. He won like a champion, without feeling threatened at any stage. Royal Crystal tried hard and stayed the distance well, finishing close behind Consigliori to take the runner-up berth. Impavid and Well Connected battled through the straight with the former saving the place money. Both though, ran well below par while falling easily to the local contender.

Trainer LVR Deshmukh was a picture of elation, the satisfaction of a job well done writ large on his face. “Yes I am delighted,” Deshmukh admitted candidly. “Consigliori had a learning experience in his Bengaluru stint and he was much fitter when we returned to Hyderabad. Taking his blinkers off was a positive change too. He won his last start very well over the mile and that’s when I grew more confident. He has the stamina influence in his bloodline and I never doubted his staying abilities. He is half-brother to Captain Morgan who won the Stayers Cup at Bangalore. I told Mr Zeyn Mirza that he had the best chance if he went start to finish and Mr Mirza readily agreed as well. He galloped freely until the turn and I was hoping for the best. However, the hope turned into confidence when they entered the straight, as I saw both Well Connected and Impavid were off the bridle and had some catching up to do. I knew then he would hold on. That was it, rest was right there in front of all,” said Deshmukh.

Jockey Akshay Kumar weaved his magic through the day booting home four winners. His first win for the day was atop Super Act, from trainer SSF Hassan’s yard.

Super Act (Charmo – Waggamama) made a dramatic late entry and finished on with a scorching gallop picking up well particularly in the last 50 meters. It was all Dandi Man in the final furlong breaking free from early leader Story Teller, Alexanderthegreat, Barnabas and just when it seemed Dandi Man would go all the way, Super Act got his act together and started to gain on the front bunch. Barnabas was stuck for room and could not wriggle out in time. However, Super Act rushed ahead and got past Dandi Man in the nick of time with jockey Akshay Kumar riding out aggressively to land the spoils. Dandi Man was beaten close home, while Barnabas ended a close third.

Akshay then partnered trainer L D’Silva’s ward Premier Action (Green Coast – Hunting Hawk) in the RWITC Ltd Trophy. Premier Action had just notched up his maiden win in his last start and was going over the mile for the first time. He scored an emphatic victory with a scorching late dash to dash the hopes of favourite Exclusive Blue who was just beginning to make his final run.

Havelock Cruise led them into the straight but could not last long. Born Greek made a bold forward move and led them until the distance post. Midnight Dream was right there but could not quicken. Exclusive Blue was just on his forward surge when Premier Action arrived with a blazing turn of foot to floor them all and zip ahead to win by an impressive four lengths. Exclusive Blue ran on to finish second ahead of Born Greek and Havelock Cruise.

Another quality ride saw Akshay Kumar drive home comfortably astride trainer SSF Hassan’s charge Wood Bridge (Win Legend – Premier panache) later in the day. Wood Bridge was kept right behind leader Hurricane as they entered the homestretch. Akshay swung into action mode soon and Wood Bridge took a little time to get going. Once in the galloping mode, Wood Bridge accelerated sweetly to steer clear of the rest. He kicked on gamely and seeing no threat behind, Akshay eased Wood Bridge past the post to score by more than four lengths. Honourable Guest ended a tame second ahead of Diesis Dream and Silver Dollar.

Akshay Kumar capped the day with a hard-fought win piloting Robin Reddy’s NRI Flame (Dean’s Kitten – Impassion) in the concluding race of the day. Favourite Red Snaper looked home and dry as they approached the distance post as he had what seemed a fairly commanding lead of nearly four lengths, with under 200 to go. NRI Flame was under the whip and looked a bit scratchy as well. Akshay Kumar however, rode the filly out with determination and NRI Flame picked up fiery speed to pip Red Snaper on the post in a thrilling finish. Red Snaper was the unlucky runner-up as he was right there until the last stride. Best Friend did well to pip Rhine for place money.

Just a race earlier, Versallies (Green Coast – Delafruz) saddled by trainer D Netto had coasted to her fourth straight win! Versallies had it easy once he led them into the straight and charged ahead. Jockey Suraj Narredu relied on hands and heels approach and with Versallies speeding on her own, just that little assistance was good enough. Versallies was never challenged and she cruised home a comfortable winner. She now has five wins from eight starts, with two seconds and a third place. Tootsie Roll improved considerably and finished a good second beating the rest convincingly. Platts Tour who finished third, suffered her first defeat after four wins on the trot. She looked a bit patchy in her finishing gallop and was clearly under pressure.  

Hot favourite Galloping Gangster (Declaration of War – Firebird) trained by Laxman Singh, powered his way in the homestretch in the capable hands of jockey Suraj Narredu. Suraj made headway improving from fifth to third around the turn and was in striking position as they straightened up for home. California Beauty surrendered to the might of Galloping Gangster and the half-money favourite stormed into the lead with about 300m to go. Once in the lead, Suraj kept the three year old going with a few cracks and he was away finishing on purposefully. Private Empire did look a threat past the distance post, but could not measure up to the power of Galloping Gangster. The favourite won in a convincing manner with just under two lengths to spare. Private Empire found the winner too good but will live to fight another day.  Miss Marvellous ended a fair third.     

Trainer Srinivas Reddy’s Mon General (Arazan – Mauna Kea) had it easy in the first race and apprentice jockey Gaurav Singh shot ahead soon on start to hold sway over the race right through. Mon General entered the straight with a narrow lead as Kionia was right on his tail. However, Mon General, with an advantage of five kilo allowance, sped away from Kionia soon and galloped on at a brisk pace. Kionia, tried as he did, could not keep up for too long and surrendered to the inevitable. Mon General cruised to victory and was never in any danger at any stage. Linewiler did well to turn up from the last position entering the straight, to beat the rest and take the runner-up slot ahead of Kionia.

Warrior Supreme (Diffident – Encouragement) lived up to his name and jockey Kiran Naidu played an able ally in the long drawn battle with Asteria. These two locked horns so after Pentagon led them into the straight and faded away. Asteria had a slight upper hand as they passed the 400 m mark together and began to fight stride for stride. They stuck together all the way and even with a few strides left to go, they looked inseparable. The bob of the heads was well-matched; however, trainer D Netto’s ward Warrior Supreme wore down Asteria to win by a narrow margin. News O’ Star laboured her way to gain the third spot.

For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar was the star of the day with a good haul of four winners. Trainers D Netto, SSF Hassan and jockey Suraj Narredu scored a double each.