A last ditch effort from jockey YS Srinath paved way for Laxman Singh’s ward Vijays Singham to a dramatic Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr2) victory. Consigliori stuck to the plan that won him the Derby by going for it right from the start. My Journey, the strong favourite was right behind, before Majestic Warrior got past to settle in second, then came Premier Action and Victory Parade racing together, with Vijays Singham bringing up the rear.

Consigliori looked on course to repeat her successful Derby feat when they turned for home as he surged further ahead to amass a sizable lead. My Journey looked in trouble and it was later announced that the favourite bled during the race. Majestic Warrior was clearly not up to it and bowed out early. That made Consigliori look almost home and dry, but jockey Srinath started to ride out Vijays Singham aggressively and the colt responded with a terrific finishing effort. Vijays Singham covered good ground in the final furlong to collar Consigliori just in time to win the Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr2) by a neck. Srinath’s effort was even more commendable as it was observed that his saddle had shifted and yet he rode as fiercely as he would under normal circumstances! Consigliori was surprised close home and a good effort went down by a narrow margin. Victory Parade improved in the straight to finish third ahead of Majestic Warrior.

Egyptian Prince (Eskendereya – Stonestreet Lady) pulled off an easy win at nourishing odds in the hands of jockey Ajeeth Kumar. The Deshmukh trainee galloped freely, hitting the front soon on start and it was all smooth sailing right from the outset. Egyptian Prince entered the straight with a healthy lead and then kept the momentum going all through to win convincingly. There was no challenge brewing whatsoever. Even Guiding Force, who had impressed with three straight wins, found it hard to catch up with the winner. He made progress though to nudge out Lockhart for the runner-up berth, but that was a case of too little too late.

Her Legacy (Her Legacy – My Lakshmi) who had recorded a fluent victory just a week ago, carried the form to peg back Yours Forever to win the Telangana and Andhra Sub Area Cup. Yours Forever led them into the straight and kicked on gamely. Celeritas tried hard to throw in a challenge but wasn’t right up to it, finding it tough to get past Yours Forever. Jockey David Allan produced Her Legacy from the outside and challenged the fighting duo inside the final 100 meters. Her Legacy, trained by Prasad Raju, quickened well to collar the front runners and zipped ahead in the last couple of strides to carve out a narrow victory. Celeritas held off Strategist and saved the place money.

Hassan trained Golden Hope (Ravel – Calliope) rallied well in the final furlong to pull off a comfortable win in the end. It looked anybody’s race as Human Touch got past the early leader Composure midway down the straight to take charge. Golden Hope, Tammana and Patron Saint were snapping at his tail with less than a furlong to go. Human Touch tried hard to hold on to the lead, but was floored when Golden Hope came by with a strong challenge. Jockey Akshay Kumar astride Golden Hope got the best out of his mount to eventually romp home by just over length in what looked, a couple of strides earlier, was going to be a closer finish.  Human Touch held off Patron Saint and Tammana to emerge a gallant runner-up.

Incredulous (Green Coast – Cappelia) had shown enough promise in her last splendid effort while finishing second to Flamingo Fame a week back. She was installed the prime favourite for that run and she justified the all-round support by running away with the Div I of the Silky Baby Plate. She didn’t have to labour too hard as she cruised ahead once in the homestretch and then accelerated fluently in the hands of Akshay Kumar to land the spoils, looking the winner a long way from home. Troubadour tried hard to catch up but found the winner too good. Bedazzled caught the eye, finishing well to snatch the third place from Monte Rei.

Mystery (Corporate Jungle – My Mood) pulled off an authoritative win in the lower division of the race also justifying the strong support he received on the strength of his last run. Mystery was right on the heels of leader Aristocrats Charm as they turned for home. They fought it out for a brief while before Mystery started to pick up speed. Jockey David Allan got the Prasad Raju trainee going in the final furlong to draw away from Aristocrats Charm and notch up his maiden win on his fourth start. Aristocrats Charm held on grittily to keep the second place from the fast finishing Bar Et Law.

City of Blossom (Nett Whizz – Love Me Tender) was another one to win handsomely without causing any anxiety to his large number of supporters. He picked up speed soon on turning for home and strode past long-time leader Secret Command effortlessly to sail away. The Satyanarayana ward galloped fluently through the length of the long Hyderabad straight and won drawing away. Red Snaper chased the winner all the way, while Green Turf ended a tame third.

D Netto’s ward Coastal Cruise (Lord Admiral – Silver Cruise) achieved her maiden success on her third start. There was a wee bit of tussle in the straight with Coastal Cruise taking charge past the 400 meter mark. She had to cope with a duel brewing as Mark My Day and Lightning Power started to apply pressure from either side. Jockey Dashrath Singh was up to the task though and warded off both challengers soon enough to score by one and half lengths. Lightning Power edged out Mark My Day to finish a good second.

Fayiaz Khan’s Stormy (Express Wish Beldon Hill) won a thriller in the hands of apprentice jockey Afroz Khan. Alexanderthegreat led them deep into the straight but faltered past the distance post. Stormy started to gain momentum and got past Diesis Dream and then accounted for the tiring Alexanderthegreat to take charge with less than a furlong to go. Vashishta warmed up nicely to bridge the gap to put in a strong challenge. As these two were battling it out, Tiger of the Sea, who was badly positioned, started to get closer. Solo Winner too picked up speed in the final 100 and in the melee, Stormy stayed on gutsily to score by a head form Vashishta and Solo Winner, with Tiger of the Sea finishing a close fourth.

For the professionals, trainers Prasad Raju and D Netto saddled a double each, while jockeys Akshay Kumar and David Allan scored a double each.