Ace jockey Suraj Narredu set the Hyderabad track ablaze with a big haul of five winners through the seven-event card. Setting sights on the massive landmark of aggregating 2000 winners, Suraj Narredu is galloping closer to the milestone by the day. He was in blazing form right through the day and gave his fans a lot to should about, race after race.

While each of his five for the day was a fine effort, his ride on trainer SSF Hassan’s ward That’s My Magic (Saamidd – Real Magic) was the most exciting one. Taking on a field of 13 runners, Suraj settled in the mid-bunch for most of the 1600 m journey. King Maker led the field all the way into the straight, travelling at a steady pace al through. Shiloh was under the pump but could not make much headway. Nayadeep started to close in, while favourite  Staridar was labouring hard. Suraj started to urge That’s My Magic with about 300 to go. King Maker resisted strongly and continued to lead then into the final furlong with Nayadeep on his tail. That’s My Magic started to warm up and started to quicken with just about 100 meters from the winning post. Lockhart was making his appearance felt as well, however, That’s My Magic finished with a scorching run to surge ahead in the last few strides to score a thrilling win. Nayadeep put in a determined effort to take the runner-up berth; Treasure Striker arrived with a big run and improved considerably to finish in the money, edging out Lockhart and King Maker in a close finish for the minor slots.

Suraj started the day with a bang rolling off three successive winners in the first three races. He piloted Country’s Gift (Roi Maudit – Essence), saddled by Prasad Raju, to a start to finish victory, tackling challenger Best Friend midway in the straight before speeding off in the last few strides. Country’s Gift had a handy lead coming into the homestretch with Best Friend showing some intent to fight. The rest were beaten by then. Best Friend got around to the haunches of Country’s Gift but that was the closest he could get. Suraj rode out astutely, staying ahead and smothering the challenge effectively and then accelerating further to draw away in the last few strides. Best Friend tried his best and will live to fight another day. Blazing Speed improved to finish third another three lengths away.

In the next race, Suraj guided Trainer Netto’s ward Star Envoy (Green Coast – Molecule) to victory over hot favourite City of Wisdom. Suraj eased Star Envoy into the lead soon after turning for home and darted ahead with Star Envoy picking up speed. By the time City of Blossom got into the action mode, Star Envoy had compiled a useful lead and with Suraj Narredu riding hard, using the whip hand effectively, the gelding kept galloping putting immense pressure of the favourite. Star Envoy eventually held off City of Blossom by a little over a length. Angel Tesoro improved to finish third without bothering the top two.

Arjun Anne trained Ayur Shakti (Midnight Interlude – Excellent Day) was the third win in three races for Suraj.  This one was a cake walk and Ayur Shakti justified the cramped odds offered. Suraj kept Ayur Shakti on the outside as a bunch of four turned for home with Secret Command leading them in. Ayur Shakti was quick to pounce on the front runners and stormed into the lead past the 400m mark. Once ahead, Ayur Shakti accelerated fluently and drew away from the field leaving the rest to scramble up the minor slots. Suraj eased up his mount and even had a peep over his shoulders meters before the winning post as he coasted to a big victory. Giethorn ended a faraway second. Wah Ms Zara held on to the third spot from Maxwell who covered a lot of ground in the final furlong to finish a head behind Wah Ms Zara.

Trainer L D’Silva’s Star of Tiara (Sedgefield – Star of Peace) provided Suraj his fourth winner for the day and this one was as easy as it gets. Star of Tiara travelled well in hand all through the backstretch, in about the seventh position and improved gradually at the turn.

Darshish, Monte Rei, Gazebo, Royal Style were all pressing for the lead and one look at Star of Tiara was enough to indicate what the result would be even with a furlong and half to go! Star of Tiara was on cruise mode when she coasted along and sailed into the lead. She was far too superior for the bunch and it was her day. Without really having to be urged on, Star of Tiara stretched away from the rest to score my close to four lengths. Unstoppable ran on to take the second place from Green Turf.

Call of the Blue (Chinese Whisper – Nightlife), saddled by Sequeira,  achieved his personal hattrick in style, collaring a good set of opponents at a time when they were all in full flow. Cape Kidnappers and Call of the Blue were at the rear end of the field for more than half the 2400m journey with NRI Heights at the helm until the turn. Cape Kidnappers made progress past the 800m mark to be well in touch with the leaders and made an early dash soon on turning for home. While Satin Symphony, Nazariya had nothing much to offer, Cape Kidnappers looked good to last. Cincia Azzurra picked up speed too and progressed well to be in contention past the distance post. Roll Call joined the fight soon after and then the focus shifted to Call of the Blue, who was the last to turn for home, arriving with a terrific burst of speed and finishing on the fastest of them all. Call of the Blue, with jockey Koushik in the saddle, swooped upon them and flew past to score an impressive victory. Roll Call ended second with Cape Kidnappers taking the third place.

 Shehzad Abba’s trained Negress Princess (West Virginia – Argentina) scored a facile victory in the concluding race of the day. Building on her suggestive second last time out, Negress Princess ruled the turf start to finish. She had favourite Dance All Night close alongside until the turn, however, once in the straight, Negress Princess was all by herself. Jockey BR Kumar just had to sit tight as Negress Princess accelerated on her own and stretched away, increasing the gap with every stride to romp home by the proverbial street. She won easing up ending her campaign on a winning note. Invasion edged out Country’s Pet and Arohi for the minor placing.  

For the professionals, ace jockey Suraj Narredu was the star of the day reaping a rich haul of five winners.