Followers of favourites took a drubbing yet again following the trends of the previous meeting at Hyderabad. Ace jockey Akshay Kumar, who had rides in all the six races of the day, five of them being the first favourites drew a blank and that would have dented a lot of pockets. It is unusual for the jockey to finish a day winless, going by his impressive form for quite a while now. Unsung Hero was the rank outsider to win, providing his small number of backers a hefty return on investment.

Trainer Sunderji’s ward One Wish (Arazan – Rhapsidion Snow) made ample amends for her last start failure and compensated by scoring a facile victory at nourishing odds. Jockey Ajinkya, who has hit good form this season, kept the mare in the third spot until the turn and made his move soon on turning for home.

One Wish cruised past leaders Siyavash and Full Volume and sealed the race within the next furlong. Soloist was ridden out but made little impact. Akido made good progress, but not good enough to challenge the winner who was drawing away from the pack. One Wish quickened extremely well to stay well clear of the rest to compile a fine victory by a margin of three lengths. Akido held onto the second place from the fast finishing Intense Approach, the latter having to weave his way through horses, not getting a clear passage. By The Bay too improved to deny Soloist a place in the frame.

Unsung Hero (Oiseau De Feu – Bon Ton) trained by Faiyaz Khan, created a flutter as he put in a scintillating run in the dying moments of the race and snatched a thrilling win close home. Chuckit looked good coming into the final furlong as he had a handy lead and the momentum going. Beauty On Parade, the favourite, Different, Amyra who were close to him were not measuring up and were struggling to stay in contention. Menilly, the other fancied runner, was not in sight, hence Chuckit looked on course. Jockey Rafique rode out Unsung Hero, galloping on the center of the track and he literally flew in the final 100 meters to snatch victory from the clasp of Chuckit meters from the winning post. Amyra managed to pip Beauty On Parade for the third spot. Menilly ended a poor fifth.

Arthur (Kingda Ka – Godspeed) from trainer Srinivas Reddy’s yard, scored an impressive win on debut. Jack Daniel led them into the straight with Pleroma close behind. Arthur moved into third with favourite Bellagio on his outside. Arthur and Bellagio were picking up well but Pleroma was found wanting approaching the distance post. Jockey Ashhad Asbar got Arthur going with a couple of reminders and the colt took off showing fine acceleration to stretch away from Bellagio to pile up a two and half lengths margin of victory. Bellagio beat Pleroma easily for the runner-up berth.

Royal Girl (Ravel – Graffiti) scored an encore faring well over the extended furlong over her last start win over seven furlongs in the lower class. Jockey Nikhil settled the Ravindra Singh trained mare in the front bunch, comprising leader Rhythm Selection, Linewiler, Circumin and Sun Dancer. Rhythm Selection kicked on to build a handy lead inside the final 4000 meters. Royal Girl moved up along the rails, with Sun Dancer putting in an all-out effort to stay in contention. A couple of cracks early in the straight didn’t help, hence jockey Nikhil relied on his aggressive pushing that got Royal Girl to respond. With a furlong to go, Rhythm Selection was still going strong with a lead of two lengths in the kitty, however, Royal Girl picked up speed just in time to get Rhythm Selection a stride or two before the winning post. Grand Finale put in a forceful run towards the end; he was a tad too late though as Royal Girl hit the wire with her neck in front of the fast finishing Grand Finale. Rhythm Selection did well too as he managed to retain the place money by half a length from Sun Dancer.

Despite a streak of poor performances in the higher class, seven year old Soul Empress (Juniper – Silver Girl) put her heart and soul to pull off a good gamble for her connections. She was the only confidently backed runner to oblige on the day. Soul Empress caused no anxious moments to her backers as she got down to business soon on entering the homestretch.

Fatuma led them into the straight with Starwalker and Silver Set close behind. Soul Empress picked up speed in quick time and simply surged past them all and accelerated fluently to knock the fight out of her rivals. She was well in front in the final furlong and the Sreekant trainee scored an authoritative victory by over three lengths from Fatuma and Silver Set.

The concluding race of the day was delayed, first with Blickfang refusing to move into the gates and then Star Babe bolting without the rider and running all around the course. These two and Dillon were withdrawn. Nightmare (Saamidd – For Sure) trained by Shashikanth, won the concluding race of the day fighting off Sorry Darling in a grim battle. Sorry Darling led them into the straight and soon had Nightmare on her haunches. Jockey Santosh Raj remained calm and did exert too much out of Nightmare in the first half of the homestretch and gradually moved his hands approaching the distance post.

Nightmare put her neck in front, but Sorry Darling was not giving up. She kept Nightmare within range all through the final furlong. Nightmare however, looked on course as she was ridden confidently by the apprentice lad who ensured victory, albeit by just half a length. Dunkirk ran third without threatening the duo in front. Royal Grace made notable progress despite running a terrible race. She was last until the turn and then went wide, close to the stand side railing, yet finished less than two lengths from the winner. This run was noteworthy and it may pay to watch her next time out over the mile or more. Lightning Fairy and Akshay Kumar disappointed.