Vittal Deshmukh trained Tintinnabulation who simply towered over the opposition by sheer magnitude of his achievements duly won the Gr 2 Nizam`s Cup, the feature event of Monday`s races held at Malakpet in a record time of two minutes 03.91 seconds. With the track not receiving its share of rain during the season, fast timings have become par for the course.

The Nizam`s Cup has generally favoured classic placed horses enjoying pull in weights. However, Tintinnabulation, despite having to give weight to the rest was still made the on money favourite as the others in the fray for the 2000 metres race were either a tired lot or not having enough class to upset him. Striking had been in indifferent form and as such, an upset by her was possible only if she was at her best. The fact that she finished so close to the winner after losing considerable ground at the start clearly highlighted the fact that races as these; top weights have to be really lucky to pull it off unless they are of exceptional talent.

Super Storm as is his wont went on a start to finish mission with Charlatan, Always Bullish and Vijays Champ for company while Arrogant Approach was eased in fifth position ahead of Tintinnabulation and Striking. Pradeep Chouhan on Tintinnabulation made his move approaching the 800 metres marker to come into striking position while Striking too had made significant forward move. Tintinnabulation slowly began to assert over the opposition and had a healthy lead going into the final furlong. Striking closed the gap with a big run only to find the front runner reach the safety of the post. Striking has run some of her best races at Hyderabad though she has been unlucky.

Serious action in the 1400 metres P R Khade Memorial cup, a Category II race, was confined to the outer part of the track. Aventus shot through in the middle to take a lead in the final furlong but he hardly looked the part. Rahul`s Diamond who had broken off level from the gates and Greek Star were engaged in a stiff battle for supremacy with the flared nostril tilting the result in favour of the former. Aventus weakened to finish third managing to thwart Golden Arrow from the third spot.

Apprentice jockey Tanwar rode Macintosh with gusto to get the lesser fancied runner ahead of the rest in the 1200 metres Elusive Hero Cup. Mount Titlis who led from the start, had a useful lead going into the final furlong but a strong effort by Tanwar saw Macintosh cover up the leeway swiftly and stave off Graceland`s late bid. Mount Titlis was a close third ahead of Nano Dame who also showed some flourish at the finish.

Favourite Ray of Hope tracked front running Kianoosh into the straight before storming clear inside the final 300 metres to win the 1800 metres Democracy Plate, a Category II race, with minimum of fuss. Princess Cruise was driven hard but could not find anything extra and had to settle for the second spot ahead of Ice Barrier.

Faisal Hassan`s Panachecorn improved on her runner up effort by winning the 1400 metres Khammam Plate, a Category III race with a start to finish dash. Favourite Vijay Vidyut drifted out under pressure and even though the jockey tried to correct the drift by using the whip, it hardly made a difference. Time for Smile was third.

Apprentice Tanwar drove out Enigma for an easy win in the 1800 metres Donegal Plate, a Category III race. Kohinoor Revanta attempted to win the hard way by trying to win in runaway fashion but in the final furlong found his reserves running out. Nevertheless, he managed to stave off the late bid of Silver Cruise to stay on in second position.

Lesser fancied Golden Adagio won the 1400 metres Subramanya Bharati Plate, a race for lower rated horses. Silver Arnage led till the final furlong but was displaced by the eventual winner who responded to the urgings of apprentice jockey Sameeruddin and easily kept at bay Classic Emerald who came up with a late charge.