After serving an exciting fare on the day when the first classic of the season was run, the Hyderabad Race Club dished out an insipid nine-event card the very next day. It might have been a tricky day for followers of form but those who jumped on to the bandwagon of horses which were entrusted with loads of smart money, had no reason to grumble. Then there were some cases where favourite horses, who had the requisite form and were “entrusted” to top flight jockeys, suddenly turned leaden-footed and bit dust.

Be that as it may, Maximum Glamour was one clear cut favourite who obliged without much ado in the lower division of the Mica Empress Plate.

The filly from D Netto’s yard had reeled off three straight victories last monsoon and then gave indifferent performances after her classic winning ambitions were doused. Maximum Glamour had four runs within a short span of six weeks in the previous season which earned her a 3kg drop in handicap but got her fighting fit. Maximum Glamour (Smuggler’s Cove – Tejaswini) raced close on the heels of leader Ambitious Star till passing the two furlong marker where Suraj let the bay filly loose. Maximum Glamour faced no threat thereafter as she skipped clear. General Atlantic gained places in the straight and rallied well to finish second ahead of City Of Bliss and Bugsy. The rest were least concerned about the outcome and were out for an airing.

Briar Ridge, who claimed the upper division of the Mica Empress Plate was also ridden by Suraj. However, it was an absolutely nerve-wracking finish involving favourite Lifes Song, Briar Ridge and Unsung Hero. Briar Ridge was hot on the heels of leader Miss Little Angel and well poised to overhaul her in the straight. Lifes Song meanwhile looked in a hopeless situation as usual and then suddenly zoomed forth through the middle after some desperate whipping by Akshay. Lifes Song joined Briar Ridge in the last 100m and led momentarily before Suraj, though taken by surprise, renewed his bid astride the KSV Prasad Raju trainee. Briar Ridge (Strong Suit – Midnight Cruze) swooped down on Lifes Song and literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Unsung Hero, who was always lurking behind Briar Ride, gathered momentum late and almost sprang a surprise on the fancied duo. Unsung Hero eventually ended a nose ahead of Lifes Song, who has failed thrice as a favourite following her impressive win last season. Lifes Song probably does not relish carrying too much weight on her back and could make amends if she is allowed to take a tilt in the upper albeit after some rest.

The outcome of the opening event of the day was a perfect example of how smart money brings about a transformation in a given horse’s ability.  Ravinder Singh saddled Glimmer Of Hope, who ran off the board in all his nine outings during the monsoon season, had a lot of money coming his way in the betting ring despite Fatuma being installed as the favourite. The fortune hunters were not disappointed as Glimmer Of Hope (Excellent Art – Heiress) got straight down to business as the gates opened and made every post of the six furlong trip a winning one in the hands of Gaurav Singh. Ajeeth Kumar ridden Fatuma refused to put her best foot forward and ended up meekly in the runner up slot. Inside Story and Sweet Melody followed her home.

The three-year-old filly Picture Me (Smuggler’s Cove – Azarenka), with just two runs under her belt, caught the fancy of the moneybags ahead of her experienced rivals, Wind Sprite and Precious Gift, in the next race. Ajeeth had Picture Me in close attendance of Shazia and Wind Sprite till the straight and took charge and guided D Netto’s ward to her maiden success. N R I Fantasy ran on topple Wind Sprite from the second berth while Flaming Falcon finish fourth with a late rally.

Trainer LVR Deshmukh had three contestant in the first division of the Florina Plate of which Path Of Peace received one-sided support in the betting ring. Entrusted to Afroz Khan, Path Of Peace (Sedgefield – Star Of Peace) allowed stable-mate Ivanhoe to show the way to field and joined the issue after turning for home. Path Of Peace took some time getting into his stride but streaked clear of his rivals when he found his rhythm. Ivanhoe was happy to play second fiddle with Role Model and Black Opal completing the frame.

With Akshay ridden favourite Good Tidings and second in demand Saint Emilion deciding to play truant yet again, it was K Satheesh trained Lights On (Net Whizz – Perpetual Glory) who showcased her ability in the lowest class. Lights On, with apprentice RS Jodha in saddle, went in chase of Space Time and launched her assault in the last furlong. Lights On was hard ridden by Jodha to gain the upper hand over and surged clear when she gathered momentum. Saint Emilion failed to measure the winner despite his late rally. Space Time ended third ahead of My Way Or Highway with Good Tidings ending close behind giving another flop show.

Suraj Narredu ridden Avancia was expected to romp home as there was no credible threat to her chances in the maiden company. However Avancia was upstaged by the speedy Stay Smart (Ivory Touch – Lopamudra) who shot into the lead as the gates opened and made her rivals chase her shadows all the way. The B Nikhil ridden and Ravinder Singh saddled Stay Smart won warding off the late bid put in by Avancia. Milton Keyes and Stoic Hero filled the judge’s frame. Akshay partnered second in demand Urgent raced prominently till entering the straight but faded out of contention to finish dead last.

The well-bred filly Despang (Multidimensional – Amore Mio) stormed into the lead in the last two furlongs after going in pursuit of Vision Of Rose from the word go. LVR Deshmukh’s candidate Despang was heavily belted by Surya Prakash to sustain the lead and stay beyond the reach of Akshay steered favourite Char Ek Char. Salisbury and Unmatched ended close behind.

The friendless Deccan Ranger (Ampere – Veritas) showed remarkable improvement to achieve his maiden success in the last race of the day. Sound Echo was taken on a pillar to post mission by DS Deora and almost made it before going down in the last stride. SSF Hassan trained Deccan Ranger unleashed a powerful run when alerted in the straight by Santosh Raj and put paid to the hopes of Sound Echo. Favourite Voice Of A Dream ran on but her effort was kind of ‘too little too late’. Ajeeth ridden Voice Of A Dream finished a close third without really posing a threat. She had It’s My Life following her home. This effort of Voice Of A Dream deserves to be taken with a pinch of salt and she can definitely strike when the “conditions” are more conducive to her chances.