Although the overall standard of racing at Hyderabad these days may not appeal to every racegoer, those who follow the sport primarily for betting opportunities have little cause for complaint. Occasionally, an event comes along that lifts the spirits of the ardent followers of the sport. The outcome of the Nizam’s Gold Cup (Gr.2) may not have been to the liking of the small-time punter, but the finish undoubtedly provided an exhilarating experience for everyone. Horseracing does not always conform to performance theories. When it does not, you find horses like Prokofiev and Vyasa overshadow the likes of Mayne Magic and Alfonsine. Since Prokofiev had finished far behind Mayne Magic and Alfonsine both in the Maharaja’s Gold Cup just last month, punters were not expecting him to turn the tables on them so soon.
 
Regardless, when the field of twelve took off from the gates, Get Lucky rushed to the front to grab the lead from Nonpariel while Prokofiev lay handy in the second position, with Alfonsine not too far away. As the horses reached the vicinity of the final bend, Antony Raj took the initiative and eased Prokofiev into the lead, a slender one to work with at that stage. Alfonsine, Nonpariel, and Vyasa too were forced into action at the same juncture and they threw down the gauntlet to the leader, However, Antony’s reminders made the Prasanna Kumar-trained Prokofiev (Leitir Mor – Balmoral Castle) realise that he was not to yield under pressure. The bay gelding did just that and held on tenaciously for an upset win over Vyasa, Red Bishop, and Alfonsine, who ran in a close bunch.
 
Donald Netto-nurtured Ashoka proved his versatility yet again when carrying the top weight of 62-kg and giving a royal beating to his ten rivals in the Royal Windsor Plate, a terms event for horses four years old and upwards. Espionage took charge shortly after the start with Lux Aeterna in pursuit while Ashoka settled into third, eager to stage his entry and dominate the scene. Ashoka (Gusto – Epsilon Orionis) started to prey on the pair ahead and Akshay Kumar kept him focused until the old warhorse asserted his superiority, about a hundred metres from home. Black Onyx ran on late to take the runner-up slot ahead of Lux Aeterna while Brilliant came fourth.
 
Earlier in the day, the piping hot favourite Fortis was seen biting dust at the hands of Gloria, 15 to 1 outsider steered to victory by Akshay. SS Attaollahi-trained Fortis appeared to possess the best credentials among the runners vying for the top spot in the lower division of the B. Marideshwara Rao Memorial Trophy. Dubai Touch seized the initiative with Gloria racing within striking distance while Trevor Patel-ridden Fortis raced keenly along the inner rails. As Dubai Touch started to retreat after leading the field into the straight, Akshay spurred LVR Deshmukh-schooled Gloria to join the leader and was soon in the front. Despite Trevor switching lanes and driving Fortis forcefully, the colt could not find his rhythm in time as the race was in the safe-keeping of Gloria (Sanus Per Aquam – Dancer’s Fan) till then. Dubai Touch weakened to finish third while Federer ran fourth.
 
Trainer Robin Reddy and jockey G. Naresh had a rare brace of winners, claiming the first and last race of the day with Flying Fury and Rani Ruckus. Flying Fury, who had last won during the monsoon two years ago and was on the repair list since then, was the odds-on choice to win in the second division of the Himayat Sagar Trophy and he duly obliged. Last-outing winner Ek made a start-to-finish bid, with Inderdhanush unsuccessfully trying to match strides with her before weakening in the straight. Flying Fury (Smuggler’s Cove – Fiorelle) made a determined effort, picking up momentum after Naresh urged him in the home stretch. The favourite won comfortably and had Ek, Her Ladyship and Inderdhanush trailing behind. The rest of the runners were simply out for an airing.
 
Aos Si, who had a lung-opener last month, was the prime favourite to claim the Brown Jack Plate and she seemed on course to achieve her goal after taking over from Iconic Star in the straight. However, Rani Ruckus entered the straight very wide from the rear and the moment Naresh showed her the daylight, she unleashed a splendid run in the home stretch. Rani Ruckus (Sedgefield – Ballade Danon) caught up with Aos Si and Hoping High in the last hundred metres of the seven-furlong journey and cantered away for an easy victory. Hoping High beat Aos Si for the second place while Fortune Art finished a distant fourth.
 
S. Sreekant’s ward Ojas Maximus registered an encore and proved that his maiden success was not a flash-in-the-pan. Pitted against older rivals, the on-money favourite Ojas Maximus (Well Done Fox – Szable) jumped out smartly from the starting stalls to take charge of the running and made every post of the five-and-a-half furlong sprint a winning one in the hands of AA Vikrant. Linda held on to finish second, a head in front of Bold Beauty while Swiss Girl, after following the winner into the straight, retired to be fourth. Double Bubble lost considerable ground after a slow start and finished way down the field.
 
Emerald Touch from Neelesh Rawal’s string was the overwhelming favourite in the B. Marideshwara Rao Memorial Trophy (Div-I) and she managed to oblige the bettors, albeit narrowly. Ridden by Neeraj Rawal, Emerald Touch lacked initial speed and raced in the mid-bunch as Foxy Girl went sailing into the lead over the six-furlong trip and had Home Run in chase. Shadow Fax and Emerald Touch were close behind. Foxy Girl, with apprentice Kuldeep Singh in the saddle, maintained the lead and was overpowered by Emerald Touch, who was required to be ridden all out by Neeraj to gain the upper hand. Warwick finished strongly towards the end but lost by a head, finding the winning post had already come to Emerald Touch’s rescue. Foxy Girl ended third while Strauss was fourth. Zuza planted in the gates and took no practical part in the race.
 
Punters believed that the Hilton Sequeira-mentored filly Queen Eternal would be third time lucky when contesting in the Doncaster Plate, reserved for maiden juveniles. But Queen Eternal flopped once again, playing the role of bridesmaid to K. Satheesh-saddled Love In Paris. No-hoper Miri once again hit the front while Ashhad Asbar-partnered Queen Eternal close on her heels. Emergent ran thereabouts with Love In Paris keeping her company. Queen Eternal stormed into the lead in the last furlong and a half. However, the favourite was found wanting when challenged by RS Jodha-piloted Love In Paris. Full of running towards the end, Love In Paris (French Navy – Translation) humbled Queen Eternal, who capitulated in the last fifty metres or so. Classy Touch and Gacchanmanasvin improved late to take the other two minor places.