The Hyderabad Monsoon Season saw a grand finale with the appearance of star mare Juliette who made another ‘Classic’ conquest – The Golconda St Leger (Gr2), reducing the high-profile race to a mere formality. Juliette (Musketier – Gimmesumsugar, Sohna Stud) proved far too superior to her three rivals and jockey Sandesh never really had to press the mare at any stage.

Lombardy bowed out of contention at the start, refusing to jump out until the others were at least a furlong away. Point to Prove hit the front with Bisate a couple of lengths behind, Sandesh held Juliette in check letting the pair in front enjoy their moment in the Sun as she cantered on a tight rein for a good part in the early half of the race. Lombardy clearly had no part to play.

Juliette chose to wake up towards the end of the back-stretch and started to bridge the long gap with ease. By the time they turned for home, Point to Prove and Bisate were within touching distance, while Juliette was waiting to finish things off. Bisate took over from Point to Prove soon on passing the 400m mark with Juliette ambling along showing no hurry whatsoever. With about 300 to go, Sandesh felt it’s time and began to nudge Juliette to go get them. Juliette stepped up and although Bisate fought a couple of strides, Juliette paced leisurely past her and within split-seconds drew away to win by a decent margin and romped home in style.

Lagos (Gusto – Blumarine) had lined up four wins on the trot, opening her career with a bang last season, but then the streak was broken after the break. The Netto trainee bounced back with aplomb and floated away to an impressive win in the hands of jockey Deepak Singh.

Lagos got straight down to business and moved fluently to lead the field soon on start. She entered the homestretch on a tight rein and looked the winner instantly. The others were off the bridle even as Lagos was seen cruising out in front. When Deepak Singh started to ride out, she sped further away from the rest to dominate the entire race and she won easing up. Green Turf ran on to finish second well ahead of Mirana.

L D’Silva trained Flying Jet signed off with a much needed maiden win in the upper division of the Midnight cowboy Plate, putting behind the agony of having found one better on five previous occasions. She had a task on hand alright, as she was not in the best of positions turning for home. While early leader Beauty Flame built on her lead and shaping well for the last 400 meters, Flying Jet had to take the turn wide thereby conceding more ground while racing on the wider half of the track. Apprentice jockey RS Deora focused on the task at hand and rode out aggressively to improve positions and time his challenge. Flying Jet responded well and got to Beauty Flame inside the final furlong. The latter put up resistance for a couple of strides, but Flying Jet fought her off to claim his maiden win that also got her jockey his first win for the season. Beauty Flame did well to finish a close second; Ashwa Pushkin pushed his way up along the rails to finish in the money.

Trainer Deshmukh’s Thanks (Ampere – Tableau Vivant) was another one who had finished second-best on three previous outings and this time grabbed the last chance she had for the season to open her account. Jockey Nakhat Singh played a crucial role in guiding the filly to her maiden win and the filly duly provided Nakhat Singh his landmark 200th win as well!

When Garnet turned for home, favourite Gregor Clegane and Thanks, the next in demand, were close together, both having to go wider out at the turn. Garnet had a handy lead with Total Darc and One More Time close behind but not really quickening, Thanks got going and shot past Gregor Clegane to find his way between horses and go for the kill. Gregor Clegane took forever to get into the fast mode and paid the price. Thanks was way ahead when the favourite picked up speed and Gregor Clegane could only reduce the margin between him and Thanks without troubling the filly notching up her memorable first win. Total Darc was all out, yet had to be content with only the third spot.

Rhythm Selection’s victory raised eyebrows as the gelding had stopped galloping midway down the straight in his last outing recently. The trainer and jockey Kuldeep on the previous occasion were even questioned by the Stewards; and in three weeks Rhythm Selection produces a sparkling run to beat more fancied horses with a massive five lengths plus margin. The Stewards might invite the trainer once again for his views post this performance.

Rhythm Selection (Gusto – No complaining) was off to a quick start and maintained a handy lead right through until they turned into the homestretch. Indian Glory in second struggled to make a bid. Rhythm Selection, in the hands of jockey Ismail, marched on ahead to get elusive in the final furlong to sail home by over five lengths. Explosive ran on to finish second, a length ahead of City of Blessing.

After a series of ordinary performances Theo’s Choice (Chinese Whisper – Oceanic Wisdom) stunned ‘em all with a spirited run to score only his second career win spanning 30 odd races. This one too was not an easy task as the Shashikanth ward was tested all through the race.

Winning Player raced into the lead with That’s My Speed close behind, while favourite Turning Wheel had to brush up following a tardy start. Theo’s Choice at one point was tailing the field but made headway while skirting around the turn, going wide as they began to straighten up for the final run. Winning Player drifted out and that cost her dearly. Five kilo claimer Santosh Raj started to urge Theo’s Choice racing in the centre of the track, getting a good response fast enough to surge into the lead. Lightning Fairy too arrived with a good burst and these two were engaged in a hard battle with Winning Player also trying hard to stay in the hunt. Theo’s Choice however, galloped on gamely to pull it off by a neck from Lightning Fairy. Winning Player finished just a length further back to claim the place stakes.

Trainer Faiyaz Ali Khan was the lone pro to score a brace.