The speed and stamina of five fillies, who had just turned four, was put to test in the HPSL Golconda Oaks (Gr.2) run over a mile and half at Malakpet on Sunday. In hindsight, it was apparent that none of them were really prepared for this grueling test. While the form of the five fillies was of little use, most assumptions were based on the equines' pedigree and the reputation of their connections. Consequently, Maigira went out as the firm favourite to win this regional classic. Trained originally by Laxman Singh, who is facing a lengthy ban for a drug-abuse related offence, but saddled now by Srinivas Reddy, Maigira would live up to the expectations before the grey filly White Pearl decided to play spoilsport. Trevor Patel sent Maigira in chase of Freedom Touch and finally wore her down inside the final two furlongs. Maigira then led for about a furlong only to find White Pearl and Nyx closing in on her. However, it was K. Satheesh-nursed White Pearl (Sedgefield – Grey Mist), who uncoiled a spectacular run to surge ahead a few lengths before the winning line and record a gratifying victory for her connections. Jockey K. Mukesh Kumar gave White Pearl an awe-inspiring ride which fetched him his first classic success. Maigira ended a length in arrear of the winner with Nyx an identical distance behind but we'll clear of Freedom Touch and Disciple. White Pearl, who raced in the famed colours – Gold, brown belt, is the property of Dr. MAM Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust represented by Dr. AC Muthiah.

Entrusted in the hands of Akshay Kumar after finishing runner-up to High Command last month, Hugh Capet dished out a winning performance with the right money riding on him on this occasion. BR Kumar-partnered Decoy settled the early dispute for the lead with Windsor and then had an uncontested lead till the fag end of the seven-furlongs terms event, the Gajasimha Rao Memorial Cup. Hugh Capet raced in the mid-bunch and before the heads turned for home it appeared that catching Decoy would be an uphill task for the favourite. But G. Sandeep's ward came with a devouring run to knockout Decoy in the shadow of the winning post and register his fifth career success over a distance which he truly relishes. Decoy went down by half-length with Dali's Destiny taking the third berth ahead of Barbet.

Neelesh Rawal-schooled Uchchaihshravas found favour with the punters in anticipation of him avenging his previous defeat at the hands of Pleasant Star but he failed to turn the tables on his adversary in the Adala Raghava Reddy Memorial Million. After no-hopers Knotty Senorita and Toffee had shot their bolt in the final run-in, Akshay-partnered Pleasant Star burst into the lead even as Torch Bearer and Uchchaihshravas both threw a strong challenge at hin. However, the climax was restricted to Pleasant Star and P. Sai Kumar-steered Uchchaihshravas, who fought a fierce duel and went stride for stride before the former snuffed out his rival's challenge. Srinivas Reddy-groomed Pleasant Star (Fiero – In The Stars) triumphed over Uchchaihshravas by just under a length whilst Clara warmed up late to finish third ahead of Annhilator.

After a couple of disappointing performances recently, Secret Saint from Kolkata-based trainer Bharath Singh's string finally had his say when Trevor guided him to an authoritative victory over a mile and quarter. Top-weighted Yesterday was brushed into the lead after the field had travelled about three furlongs from the barriers and called the shots till the field had entered the home stretch whilst Secret Saint was ridden off the pace but had made steady progress by the time the heads turned for home. Trevor soon showed Secret Saint (Multitude – Secret Garden) the daylight following which the favourite lengthened his strides and the winner spotted a furlong away from home. Secret Saint sauntered home well clear of Yesterday, Carnival Lady and Sugar.

Both the divisions of the Deccan Prince Plate, a six-furlong sprint for horses in Class III, were annexed by well fancied contenders – Mikimoto and Lashka. With Minecraft withdrawn from the fray at the starting gates, Mikimoto's task was rendered a bit easy and Donald Netto's ward did not let this opportunity to slip away. Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) kept Mikimoto within striking range of leader Best Buddy, who led all the way from the start till passing the two-furlong marker. Kuldeep let loose Mikimoto (Dali – Harmonica) at this juncture and the filly was soon in the comfort zone. Runner-up D Minchu looked menacing when she started to get closer to Mikimoto, who had hit the wire before disaster could strike and won sparing three-part of length. Gatiman's hopes were alive till the winner overtook him in the last furlong following which he retired to be third, a length and half in front of Pontefract.

Lashka, with Trevor assisting her in the saddle, however had a relatively easy passage to glory when the Vittal Deshmukh trainee tackled early leader Runlikethewind about a furlong and half away from the wire. The bay daughter of Dali out of Lucky soon assumed command and won running away from Adbhut and Calista Girl. Runlikethewind ran fourth.

Instead of getting favourite Dream To Fly to talk to the winds, jockey Md. Ismail aboard the Robin Reddy-trained seemed to have lost in some sort of a dream till the final turn. Earlier, apprentice Ajay Kumar eased trainer G. Shashikanth-trained Colt Pistol into the lead and left his rivals headed by Quality Warrior chasing his shadow. Ismail woke up only when Colt Pistol (Saamidd -- Faustina) had the race sewn up. Although Dream To Fly was the fastest moving horse in the final stages of the race, she had to eat a humble pie, finishing over two lengths behind the winner. Nkalanzinzi managed to finish in the money, a neck ahead of Varaneek Gold.

Nine-year old Sun Dancer met a feeble opposition on relegation and obliged his supporters in the day's curtain raiser. Jungle Girl sprinted ahead from the gates but lost steam in the straight and handed over the baton to well-fancied Coming Home. Leo D'Silva-nurtured and S. Saqlain-ridden Sun Dancer (Ravel – Ekta Ekta Ekta) overhauled Coming Home, who flattered briefly and seemed to be in distress when dropping out of contention. However, Saqlain had to drive Sun Dancer vigorously to escape the clutches of Clefairy. Jungle Girl ran a game third with Desert Sultan completing the judges' frame.