In another one-sided outcome witnessed in this season’s classics, both Indian and regional, Duke of Tuscany outclassed his five rivals in the HPSL Golconda Derby Stakes (Gr.1) at Malakpet on Sunday. Winner of the 2000 Guineas here last month, Duke of Tuscany was the overwhelming favourite to win the Derby with Secret Saint finding some support following his success over a mile and quarter trip recently. Leaving nothing to chance, Trevor Patel quickly settled Duke of Tuscany on the tail of Dapper Look, who was taken on a start to finish mission by Akshay Kumar. Nyx, Secret Saint, White Pearl and Seeking Alpha spread out behind the leaders. There was not much of a change in the order of running till Trevor stirred Duke of Tuscany into action and joined Dapper Look as the field of six approached the final turn. Duke of Tuscany (Cougar Mountain – Nicollini) cantered past Dapper Look once they straightened for home and won without raising a sweat. Dapper Look, Nyx and Secret Saint were assisted in the saddle by Akshay, David Allan and A. Sandesh respectively but that made no difference to their fate as they were left fighting for the minor places by the winner. Bred at the Nanoli Stud Farm, Duke of Tuscany, who is now being cared for by Pesi Shroff, is co-owned by Messrs KN Dhunjibhoy, ZK Dhunjibhoy, Rama Seshu Eyunni, Ms Anousha Meyers & Ms Anita Captain.

Punters literally hit a jackpot as eight out of the card of ten events framed for the Derby day saw favourite horses triumph. Dubai Touch, Romantic Grey, Catchme If You Can, Non Pareil and Duke of Tuscany scored popular victories while One N Only, Pleasant Star and Exclusive Star were also backed with enthusiasm. Trainer Donald Netto and jockey Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) were associated in achieving a successful back-to-back double through Double Bubble and One N Only when the day’s proceedings began. The bay filly Double Bubble, who had led all the way over the six-furlong trip till beaten by Cherie Chevalier two weeks ago, wrest the lead in the early stages of the five and half trip and lasted out to win narrowly. Racing Ruler and favourite Emerald Touch both warmed up late to put in a spirited run towards the end but the early arrival of the winning post helped Double Bubble’s (Lord Admiral – Shenliyka) cause. Racing Ruler ended a head behind the winner and half-length ahead of Emerald Touch with Victory Run finishing fourth. Emerald Touch was promoted to the runner-up slot after a successful objection lodged by her rider Neeraj Rawal against Racing Ruler.

The tenacity shown by One N Only proved crucial when he was engaged in a fierce duel with D Minchu, the joint favourites in the Turf Authorities of India Cup (Div-II). No sooner than he had led the field into the straight, Encore, D Minchu, One N Only and Hurricane Bay all pounced upon Adbhut. After Encore retreated, David Allan spurred D Minchu into the lead but found One N Only range alongside whilst Hurricane Bay was unable to quicken after Mohit Singh lost his whip in the straight. D Minchu and One N Only (Akeed Champion – Magical Night) went stride for stride for about a furlong and the thrilling climax saw the latter nail his rival a stride or two before the winning line. Netto’s ward thus achieved his fifth career success.
 
Srinivas Reddy-schooled Pleasant Star also continued to marvel as he defeated Uchchaihshravas for the third time in a row. Ajeeth Kumar-astride Imperia, who shared the burden of carrying the public purse with Uchchaihshravas and Pleasant Star, chased leader Runlikethewind aggressively while his two rivals raced in the rear bunch after being ridden well off the pace. Imperia tackled Runlikethewind in the last two furlongs and tried to break free but soon Uchchaihshravas and Pleasant Star both closed in on her as they started to make rapid improvement. The response that Akshay derived from Pleasant Star (Fiero = In The Stars) inside the last furlong put both Uchchaihshravas and Imperia under the shade. Barbet ran a faraway fourth.
 
Dubai Touch (Perfect Stride – Light Dubai) from Neelesh Rawal’s string made amends for her narrow failure last month and was guided to a pillar to post victory by Neeraj. Royal Warrior may have found the trip a bit sharp as he finished a length behind the winner. Calabasas ended in the third spot ahead of Philodendron.
 
Romantic Grey (formerly named Supreme Spirit), the recent migrant from Western India, struck in her very first appearance at Malakpet, Leo D’Silva-saddled Romantic Grey exploited her initial speed as G. Vivek pushed the mare to take the lead over the six-furlong sprint for the Bangalore Turf Club Cup and had a slender lead over Amboseli, Smart Boy and Dali’s Champion till entering the home stretch. Vivek then got Romantic Grey (Dali – Eternal Spirit) to stretch out under the whip and escaped the clutches of Perception (formerly named Jolly Jester), who found his rhythm quite late before ending a head shy of the winner. Cherish The Lady edged out Peanut in the closing stages to gain the third place.
 
Unlike her previous run when she was neglected in the betting, last-outing winner Catchme If You Can was backed to the hilt to register an encore in the Mysore Race Club Trophy. The Magan Singh Parmar-groomed mare lay in the fourth spot as Master Touch showed the way to Planet Super and N R I Skypower in the initial stages of the race. The moment K. Mukesh Kumar changed lanes with Catchme If You Can and showed her the daylight in the home stretch, the favourite galloped smoothly to tackle the front-runners and pull away from the pack for a convincing win. Once the favourite shot ahead, the pretenders behind waged a fierce battle for the minor places following which Bold Beauty took the second spot, a neck ahead of Blue Pantheress who had N R I Skypower finishing an identical distance away.
 
Netto achieved a treble when Non Pareil, who received sustained support in the betting ring, went wire to wire over the mile long Madras Race Club Cup. Akshay eased Non Pareil (Dali – Bravia) into the lead soon after the gates flew open and won untroubled all the way. China Town came from way back in the straight to finish runner-up beating Shah of Iran by a nose while Clara took the fourth spot, a neck behind.
 
The 20 to 1 longshot High Heels scored a major upset after unleashing a blazing run down the straight when Gaurav Singh asked her for an effort. Earlier, N R I Dheera called the shots till favourite Calistoga overhauled him in the last furlong and half. Just when Calistoga was being hailed as a winner, Ravinder Singh-groomed High Heels (David Livingston – Rani) was produced on the outside by Gaurav and the filly came with a big run to overwhelm Calistoga close home. N R I Dheera and Linda followed them home.
 
Mohit Singh-piloted Exclusive Spark put a resolute bid in the last furlong or so to earn a bracket after almost two and half years. Sadiya took charge of the running from Lucky Fiero in the straight even as Silver Arrow, Rani Ruckus and Exclusive Spark were gathering momentum. It was Jasbir Singh’s trainee Exclusive Spark (Sedgefield – Spark of Silver) who stretched out well and won warding off both Rani Ruckus and Silver Arrow. Balahaka warmed up late to finish fourth.