Just over a year ago, the KSV Prasad Raju-trained three-year old Strauss was a piping hot favourite to win the Kaleshwaram Cup in the hands of Suraj Narredu. As the start was given, Strauss ducked in resulting in Suraj being dislodged from his seat. The bay gelding made amends in his next appearance but had a chequered career thereafter. He trailed the field when participating at Mumbai in the Indian Racing Carnival, where Prasad Raju saddled him for the last time. Strauss went down by a head to Siddharth in his first run under trainer Magan Singh Parmar’s charge last month.

But ill fortune continued to hound Strauss. Ridden by Akshay Kumar, Strauss was the firm favourite to claim the Rani Rudrama Devi Cup on Monday. Strauss was racing in the mid-bunch behind Malaala, who had Lucky Zone in pursuit with the rest settled behind. As the horses ahead of him spread out at the turn, Akshay brought Strauss through the wide opening towards the rails. Meanwhile, Ajeeth Kumar astride Lucky Zone, who was racing on the outside of Malaala, suddenly took a deep dive towards the inner rails. Strauss was bumped badly and this mishap brought the curtains down on Strauss’s chances. Not aware of the incident behind, apprentice Ajay Kumar atop Malaala (Kingda Ka – Ashtoh) kept driving Laxman Singh-nursed mare, who sauntered away for an emphatic win over Lucky Zone, Worcester and True Icon. Ajeeth was definitely careless and his riding was on the fringe of being termed as dangerous. But the HRC stewards felt that Ajeeth was guilty only of careless riding. Given the fact that he almost brought down Akshay and, more importantly, caused a heavy financial loss to the punters, Ajeeth must thank the HRC stewards for their leniency in giving him a mere four race-day riding ban.

In the second race of the day, a few moments after the gates opened, Suraj was thrown off the saddle after the Laxman Singh-saddled favourite Morning Mist veered out towards his left. The race was won in a start-to-finish bid by SSF Hassan’s ward Fly Me (Top Class – Pfeiffer), who was entrusted to Akshay. Fly Me took off smartly from the blocks and won untroubled over the six furlong sprint. Magical Power and Crown Witness took the other two minor places on the judge’s board.

Suraj was slated to ride another hotly fancied runner, Proud Mary, in the third race. It was unclear whether it was a coincidence that Proud Mary was declared withdrawn on veterinary grounds after Suraj’s fall. Garnet found majority support in the betting ring following Proud Mary’s exit and the MR Chauhan-saddled mare raised some hopes when tackling See My Spark in the straight. However, apprentice RS Jodha-steered High Reward (David Livingstone – Ultrasonic) from K. Satheesh’s barns gain momentum steadily in the last furlong to overhaul Garnet about 100m from home. See My Spark came with a renewed effort to take the second place ahead of Pinatubo whilst Red Snaper taking the fourth spot from the tiring Garnet.

Akshay had partnered another successful favourite, Blazing Gun at the start of the day. Backed to the exclusion of his rivals in only the second outing of his career, the MS Parmar trainee raced behind Magnum, Final Judgement and That’s My Love till entering the straight. Blazing Gun (Planetaire – Mandavilla) was set alight by Akshay and made steady progress to overhaul Magnum close home. Magnum finished second whilst Final Judgement just holding on to be third ahead of Bold Beauty and Rocket Man.

The 20 to 1 longshot Saint Emilion got lucky in the race for maidens who were four-year old and above after unleashing a terrific run in the final stages of the six-furlong sprint. Top-weighted Classical Music showed plenty of initial speed to grab the lead at the start and called the shots till joined by Pancho opposite the stands. Both Classical Music and Pancho fought a pitched battle and the latter was ridden vigorously by Akshay to gain the upper hand in the last half furlong. The winning post was within kissing distance of Pancho when Ravinder Singh-groomed Saint Emilion (Lord Admiral – Jeux De Danse) was encouraged by whipless Shivansh in giving the best performance of his career. Saint Emilion swooped down on both Pancho and Classical Music to fashion a neck victory over the former. Classical Music ended a length away and an identical distance behind was Burgundy Black, who raced prominently in the front bunch but failed to quicken when required.

MR Chauhan-saddled Clare (Excellent Art – Meohmy) was steered confidently by A. Imran Khan to score a fluent win over favourite Golden Gazelle. The bay filly moved resolutely when alerted to her task by Imran and easily overhauled the front-runners headed by Fresh Hope. Akshay atop Golden Gazelle tried hard to collar the winner but had to settle for the second place. Happy Soul ended third ahead of Fresh Hope, who retired after a forward run to finish fourth. Honourable Lady seemed to be out for an airing.

Amalfitana (Vadamos – Darkyila) swept her rivals off their feet in the concluding race after apprentice Kuldeep Singh eased the LVR Deshmuk-nursed mare into the lead and made every post of the mile trip a winning one. Amalfitana established what turned to be a winning lead in the straight and won handsomely despite the late charge of Sundance Kid. The latter raced in the rear but was full of running when S. Saqlain asked him for an effort in the straight. Amalfitana, however, won unruffled in the end and finished well clear of Sundance Kid. Grand Duke and Master Touch took the other two minor places.