Like it or not, horseracing continues to be a mug’s game almost at every racing centre in India and Hyderabad is no exception. A case in point is the outcome of the Godolphin Barb Million, Sunday’s main attraction in the seven races that were conducted at Malakpet. Laxman Singh-trained Brilliant Lad was the overwhelming to win the event reserved for two-year old juveniles and not without reason. Brilliant Lad had made a smashing winning debut in the hands of Suraj Narredu at the start of the current season, inflicting an eight-length defeat on Dontblockmyway, who won two weeks later. Dontblockmyway beat debutant and joint favourite Northern Waves by nearly four lengths. In this million event, Brilliant Lad was once again entrusted with the public's purse while Northern Waves was second in demand. G. Shashikanth-groomed Northern Waves dashed into the lead as the gates opened and the bay filly enjoyed an uncontested lead all the way and left her rivals stranded in the final stages of the seven furlong journey. Jockey K. Mukesh Kumar guided Northern Waves (Dreamfield – Fly With The Wind) to a convincing victory over Ayushman and Mystical Dawn, who finished a neck apart while Brilliant Lad suffered the ignominy of finishing fourth. For the record, Brilliant Lad ran hopelessly throughout and never raised any hope for his supporters. Well, everybody knows that horses are not machines and there is no dispute that Northern Waves enjoyed a 4kg advantage over Brilliant Lad yet the margin of defeat for the latter defies logic.

After Knight Crusader and Newfound Glory had obliged their supporters in the first two events of the day, the other favourites did a vanishing act but for King Immortal, who pulled up lame during the race in the supporting event of the day. Rank outsider Brooklyn Beauty, who had never travelled beyond nine-furlongs, was quickly off from the blocks as the field of nine took off for the mile and quarter journey for the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Memorial Cup with Imran Chisty settling King Immortal within striking distance of the leader. However, just after crossing the six-furlong marker, the hot favourite wobbled, forcing his rider to pull him up gradually. Ravinder Singh-trained Brooklyn Beauty (Whatsthescript – Sudestada), meanwhile, remained unconquered as she staved off the attack of Nightmare and Barbet both and went on to register a shock victory. Fly Tothe Stars improved late to finish a head behind Barbet. Painted Apache also suffered the same fate as King Immortal. King Immortal had reportedly broken his fetlock while Painted Apache his shoulder following which both horses were euthanized on humanitarian grounds.

KSV Prasad Raju-saddled Diablo, a failed favourite in his previous outing, was neglected in the betting as the demotee Rolls Royce suddenly caught the market’s fancy. Ekram Alam-steered Rolls Royce’s slipped into the lead from the barriers with That’s My Mission in pursuit and his chances remained alive despite the latter’s aggression which he shrugged off inside the final furlong. Rolls Royce, however, could not repel Diablo’s assault. Diablo raced in close contention behind the two front-runners and unleashed a powerful run when alerted to his task by P. Sai Kumar opposite the grand stands. Rolls Royce tried to cling on to the slender lead but Diablo (Roderic O’Connor – Devoted Eyes) finished on strongly to snuff out the former’s chances close home. Shooting Star warmed up late to finish in the money while That’s My Mission retired to be fourth.

Soon afterwards it was Espionage’s turn to play truant. Donald Netto-schooled Espionage raced alongside Windsor, who seized the initiative early into the seven-furlong trip, till they turned for home and then divested the latter of her lead. Espionage appeared to be on course to victory as Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) kept her going to ward off Kalki’s threat but both of them were vanquished by the 15 to 1 longshot Darling’s Boy. MF Ali Khan-nursed Darling’s Boy (Surf Rider – That’s My Darling) showed scant respect for the credentials held by both Espionage and Kalki as apprentice Kuldeep Singh drove him out and collared them close home. Kalki finished second, half-length in front of Espionage while Star Forever woke up too late and could only finish a close fourth.

At the start of the day’s proceedings, Knight Crusader gave no anxious moments to his supporters and justified the cramped odds against him by recording his second straight win at this centre. Imran Chisty allowed Linda and Clarity to race in front, waiting for an opportunity to pounce on them with the shortest priced runner of the day. Knight Crusader (Speaking of Which – Adiella), who was saddled by Ravinder Singh after Hilton Sequeira’s suspension, picked up pace and was never off the bridle when sailing past Linda in the straight. The three-year old bay gelding had something in reserve when passing the winning post nearly four lengths clear of Linda. Peanuts came with a late run to run third with Cherish The Lady completing the frame after Clarity faded out.

Newfound Glory from Prasad Raju’s yard, who was carrying the same weight as when she quit the maiden ranks earlier this month, won end to end in the hands of P. Sai Kumar over the six furlong trip. Newfound Glory (Air Support – Striking) faced no threat from her rivals, who were a beaten lot before the race came to a boil. Bellingham managed to finish runner-up while N R I Star finished a faraway third. Shoolin, who chased the winner in the initial stages of the race, ran out of fuel in the last furlong and ended fourth.

S. Sreekant-saddled Just Incredible gave a respite to the punters, who had received a drubbing in the preceding events, when justifying their faith in his ability to deliver an encore. Apprentice Shivansh took Quality Warrior on a start to finish mission with Muaser in chase while Shah of Iran and Just Incredible were not too far away. Quality Warrior fell back in the last furlong following which Shah of Iran slipped through the shortest way home to lead briefly. Soon afterwards, Just Incredible put in a gallant effort after taking some sharp cracks of the whip from Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) to overwhelm Shah of Iran inside the last hundred metres. See My Attitude tackled Quality Warrior close home to finish third.