After being at the receiving end of the adverse outcome of the races conducted at Mumbai on Sunday, punters who follow Hyderabad races too were hoping to fare better the next day. The story at Malakpet racecourse, however, was no different than what was witnessed at Mahalaxmi. Barring the successful foray of two public choices, Humanitarian and Bedford, punters were left high and dry by the favourite horses especially Superstellar and Arthur.

Humanitarian was the shortest priced runner during the day and the Laxman Singh trainee was spot on as far as the expectations from her were concerned. Humanitarian (Roderic O’Connor – Placervilles Glory) raced on the bit as Suraj Narredu allowed Soorya Vahan to call the early shots with Dream Station in pursuit of the leader. The classic hopeful racing in the colours of Cyrus Poonawalla, Humanitarian stepped up the pace when the heads turned for home and readily accepted the opening that presented itself towards the inner rails. The winner was sighted a long way from home as the chestnut filly drew away for an emphatic win. Dream Station, Akash and Forever Bond followed Humanitarian home.

The five-year-old mare Bedford, whose gate manners improved considerably after migrating to the yards of trainer N Rawal, struck good form during the recently concluded monsoon season. Bedford, the speedy daughter of Phoenix Tower out of Browning, ran true to her ability as she took charge of the running after coming out of the wide draw and showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals. Second favourite Beauty On Parade was in futile chase of the winner throughout. Last outing winner Shazam ran half-heartedly and made his bid only when the race was in the safe keeping of Akshay Kumar ridden Bedford. Shazam finished third ahead of Four One Four.

The victories of Humanitarian and Bedford proved to be an exception as far as carrying the public’s purse successfully was concerned. The other five favourites – Costello, Saint Emilion, Superstellar, Arthur and Sea Of Class failed miserably to justify the support they garnered. It’s not for the first time that well-fancied horses have failed to deliver nor will it be the last. Yet, the performances of half-money favourites Superstellar and Arthur was quite intriguing. These incidents are not isolated ones and certainly not such that they should fail to raise the concerns of the Hyderabad Race Club’s regulatory apparatus. One can always argue that either the horses in question were over-rated or there was inaccuracy in the assessment of their chances but how does explain their defeat only when they are strongly fancied? Be that as it may, the fact remains that the five favourites tasted defeat and in a couple of cases it was inexplicable. The end loser was the hapless punter as usual.

Superstellar from LVR Deshmukh’s yard was expected to make amends for his narrow failure a month ago but the Akshay ridden favourite bit dust once again. Superstellar raced handy on the haunches of leader Team Player but cut a sorry figure when asked for an effort by his rider after entering the home stretch. The favourite plodded and it was left to the maiden Lady Carnival to enter the scene and challenge Team Player. Saddled by Ravinder Singh, B Nikhil-ridden Lady Carnival gained the upper hand in the last furlong and lasted out to win from fast finishing Exclusive Spark, who came with a devastating run in the closing of the race but lost by the proverbial whisker. Team Player stayed put in the third slot ahead of Superstellar.

The connections of Arthur, who had finished third behind Mojito and Once You Go Black during Bangalore summer season, obviously harbour classic hopes with the colt and that’s probably why Pradeep Chouhan flew down for this solitary engagement astride Srinivas Reddy’s ward. L D’Silva groomed Winning Streak (Roderic O’Connor – Cashel Queen), who had humbled the youngster duo Speaking Of Love and Superstellar in his previous run, proved to be a giant killer once again as he inflicted a humiliating defeat on Juramento and Arthur on this occasion. Winning Streak with Afroz Khan in the saddle was quickly off the blocks and played Pied Piper to his seven rivals. Arthur was going nowhere when Chouhan asked him for an effort in the closing stages of the race. Juramento devoured good ground when set alight by Akshay but the winner kicked on gamely and had something in reserve when passing the winning post. Arthur ended a neck behind Juramento and had Fly To the Stars in close tow.

D Netto’s ward Costello was backed down to favouritism in a Class IV event after his four runs in upper class. Deepak Singh-piloted Costello stayed within striking distance of Golden Forza, who went surging into the lead from the start, but the hopes of the favourite’s supporters vanished when he failed to give the desired response asked for by Deepak in the last furlong. MF Ali Khan nursed Rhythm Selection (Gusto – No Complaining) meanwhile ran on strongly in the hands of Md Ismail to collar Golden Forza in the shadow of the winning post. Horse O’War ran green for most of the journey and ended fourth behind Costello.

Anant Vatsalya claimed the two divisions of the Solitaire Plate with Reining Queen and My Marvel, who were both partnered by Ajeeth Kumar. Apprentice Santosh Raj ridden favourite Saint Emilion tackled leader Space Time once the field straightened for home but his lead did not last long. Reining Queen (One Lucky Dane – Rathvin Raven) came with a sustained run to overwhelm Saint Emilion and register her maiden win. Exponent finished on to be second ahead of Ar Superior and Saint Emilion.

My Marvel (formerly Neffereti) struck immediately after coming in Vatsalya’s charge recently. My Marvel (Tenth Star – South Lake) got the better of leader Red River in the last two furlongs but soon found second favourite Good Tidings breathing down her neck. Akshay-ridden Good Tidings produced a scintillating run down the straight but Ajeeth packed enough punch in his riding to help My Marvel thwart Good Tidings’ attempt to topple her. A neck separated Good Tidings from the winner. Favourite Sea Of Class ran disappointingly to finish third ahead of Malahat.