Given the truncated racing season, which limits any runner’s chances to score more than once, owners and professionals seem eager to capitalize on their horses’ winning form. Fresh from last week’s success, G. Shashikanth-trained Northern Waves defied the handicapper on promotion to register her second success this season in the lower division of the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate. Ridden now by Suraj Narredu, Northern Waves raced comfortably in the fourth position as Calistoga bolted to the front, with Baisa and Shadow Fax tracking him. Coming into the straight, Suraj eased his grip on Northern Waves (Dreamfield – Fly With The Wind) and the filly went ahead effortlessly inside the last two furlongs. She kicked on gamely under Suraj’s whip to win easily from top-weighted Cherie Chevalier, who warmed up late to finish a length and a quarter behind the winner. Secret Saint ran third but not before causing interference to Arabeska, who ran fourth, in the straight. Both Secret Saint and Arabeska are likely to improve after this exposure.

Bhairava (formerly named Mighty Sparrow) from Anantha Vatsalya’s string also earned a bracket in quick succession. Bhairava was the overwhelming favourite to replicate his previous week’s effort in the Mossy Bank Plate, though the bookies were unwilling to offer generous odds this time. After improving to race behind his main adversary Rival as the field led by Normui turned for home, Ajeeth Kumar-driven Bhairava found Rival had stolen a march in the straight. But the big striding son of Multitude out of Transformation rallied resolutely, just in time to beat Rival by a short head. Clefairy finished in the money, while Hoping Star ran a distant fourth.

Vyasa, a recent import from Bangalore and another debutant at Malakpet, proved far too superior for his rivals in the Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate (Div-I). Trained now by G. Sandeep, Ashhad Asbar-partnered Vyasa hugged the inner rails close behind Pacific Heights until the runners swung into the home stretch. As soon as the field came into the straight, Vyasa quickly joined Pacific Heights at the two-furlong marker. As Pacific Heights offered no resistance, Vyasa stormed ahead and the race was as good as over at that instant. Vyasa (Speaking of Which – Prussian Blue) was not fully stretched by Asbar as he cantered home, a distance clear of his nearest rival, Lucky Zone. Pacific Heights, who is better suited for sprint events, faded out to be third. Leather Back improved gradually in the straight to finish fourth. The rest were simply out for an airing.

Tuned to the moment by trainer A. Imran Khan, the bay rig Knotty Circuit made his fitness level count as he made a winning debut in the Hyderabad Plate, a sprint event for maiden juveniles. P. Sai Kumar-ridden Knotty Circuit was off to a brilliant start from the barriers and was clear of the field when he entered the straight. His earlier lead proved cushion enough as Divine Tiger inched closer with every stride close home. Knotty Circuit (Air Support – Cocktail Circuit) prevailed by a length and a half over Divine Tiger. Fugo may have found the trip a bit sharp for his liking as he took a long time warming up before finishing third, while My Day rallied late but could not overtake Anemara, who was fourth.

The use of a basket-bit on NRI Range seemed to have brought a turnaround in his career as the Srinivas Reddy trained gelding gained ground steadily to collar leader Knotty Senorita and went on to taste his maiden success at the age of five. NRI Range came well from the wide draw to be in touch with front-runners as Knotty Senorita slipped into the lead approaching the final turn and kept building on it as they entered the straight. Meanwhile, Afroz Khan sent NRI Range (Smuggler’s Cove – Constantinople) in hot pursuit of the leader and snuffed out her challenge in the final furlong. He won sparing a length to Knotty Senorita, who was clear of Dream To Fly and Smart Boy.

Trainer Laxman Singh, who had saddled winners in both the first and last race on Monday, repeated his feat. He led in Diligence, a recent migrant from Western India, who made her debut at Malakpet a successful one in the Narayanpet Plate (Div-I). Last-start winner Red Hot Punch flattered briefly as leader Blissful receded after setting the pace till the two-furlong marker. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) made a swift move to take a narrow lead with Diligence and managed to keep runner-up Red Hot Punch at bay. Suraj-piloted La Quinta, the prime favourite, was expected to improve on his last week’s performance but failed to live up to the expectations and could only finish fourth behind Fox Worth, who certainly benefitted from the extra equipment used on him by D. Netto.

Pitted against a set of moderate opponents, Laxman’s ward Authoritarian was heavily backed to claim the day’s last event, the Narayanpet Plate (Div-II). Apprentice Ajay Kumar-ridden Authoritarian (French Navy – Charging Tigress) duly obliged by raising a fluent gallop in the straight to collar runaway leader Ek (formerly named Tsarina) inside the last hundred metres and surged clear for a convincing victory. My Honey ran well with blinkers to be third ahead of Catchme If You Can.