Though the 1600 metres Telangana Formation Cup, the feature event of Sunday`s races, was reduced to a match race between multi-classic winner Machiavellianism and Acclaimed, the race turned out to be one the most absorbing one seen this season, with a nose separating the two. Trainer Donald Netto and his jockey Kuldeep Singh had a fruitful day recording a treble.

Machiavellianism led the field in the three horse race. After travelling a little more than a furlong, versatile Kohinoor Wish grinded to a halt in distress, leaving just Acclaimed to challenge the local champion. Machiavellianism had to be driven out throughout the stretch run as Acclaimed put up a valiant display but in the end fell short by the proverbial whisker. It was difficult to decide who the winner was even for an experienced race goer and even the commentator who normally hazards a guess took the safe out of saying that he would leave it to the Judge to announce the winner. In a desperately close finish, Machiavellianism was declared to have won by a nose.

Shezad Abbas trained Carlton has always proved formidable winning a bagful of races but made no progress in graded race company. Taking on a modest lot of horses in the 1400 metres in the Raja Mehboob Karan Memorial Cup, a Category II race. Carlton emerged from the pack and cruised into the lead inside the final furlong and stretched away for an effortless win over Alameda who made some rally towards the finish but found the eventual winner too strong for comfort. Symbol of Victory lost the runner up berth by a whisker to Alameda.

Satheesh trained Happy Guy justified the massive faith of the punters by easily winning the 1800 metres Epsom Plate, a Category II race for three year olds and upwards. Kept in handy third position as Kianoosh set the pace, Happy Guy smoothly cruised into the lead inside the final two furlongs and went away for an easy win over Wedding Gift and Westminster.

Kuldeep Singh drove out Donald Netto trained Parushram to emerge from the maidens ranks getting the better of front running Vista with a furlong out in the 1400 metres Adilabad Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. Vista ran green under pressure. Upon A Star covered ground towards the close but narrowly failed to get the measure of Vista for the second slot.

Shamshuddin`s Lady of Grace was another who gave an arm chair ride to victory for Kuldeep. Lady of Grace was the betting rage in the 1200 metres Sweet Memories Plate, a Category III race and she did not face any opposition en route to success. After taking over the running at the top of the straight, Lady of Grace travelled well within herself to finish comfortably ahead of Golden Flash who tried hard to catch up but fell short.

The biggest upset of the day was brought off by Laxman Singh trained Vijays Grandeur who burst clear from the pack inside the final furlong and got the measure of front running Mount Titlis and then held off the late charge by Nano Dame to win the 1200 metres Fire Arch Plate, a Category III race. Mount Titlis stayed on to finish third.

Kuldeep`s first winner of the day came through Netto trained Sterling Finish who was hard pressed by Macintosh to win the 1600 metres Red Surprise Cup, a Category III race. Sterling Finish engaged Macintosh in a battle for supremacy all the way in the final furlong and got better in the final moments of the race.

Netto`s Power Drive provided jockey Imran Khan with an easy win in the 1200 metres Charminar Trophy, a race for three year olds and upwards. Power Drive was ridden in restraint as Baazigar expended his energy in front and faded out in the straight. Power Drive then took charge and was not unduly extended to win from Aventus.