Donald Netto trained Rahul`s Pet who was once a rousing performer hadn`t won for 553 days but struck form to win the 1400 metres Air Command Cup, a race for horses rated 78 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Hyderabad races. Favourite Dream Catcher who had won five races during the last season over a sprint, was not his usual self over the extended trip and the sharp response which had characterised his performance was totally missing. He lost well before the race came to the boil.

Suraj Narredu eased Dream Catcher in the rear group after a slightly hesitant beginning and though he brought the favourite on the inner route, he had considerable leeway to cover when he was set alight. Dream Catcher was not up to the task. One is not sure whether it is because of the extended trip or due to his longish absence from the track which made him perform well below his known potential. Rahul`s Pet who raced up in the front, spurted ahead in the final furlong to record an easy win over That`s My Class and Breethofthesouth. Prospero nosed out Dream Catcher to finish on frame. While Rahul`s Pet showed the spark of old, one needs to ignore this run of Dream Catcher as he is sure to bounce back after this lung opener.

Faisal Hassan trained Platinum won the 1200 metres K Bhagavandas Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 42 to 62 after a longish break at big odds. Apprentice jockey Rohit Kumar had Platinum in front and the long shot had a big break over the rest as the others preferred to play a waiting role which resulted in the front-runner enjoying a decisive lead. Though favourite George Cross and Big Flash charged home, Platinum just about held on to win.

Lesser fancied Shiloh from the stables of Donald Netto bolted to the front from the word `go` and stayed out there to record a comprehensive win in the 1100 metres Cape Knight Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. Favourite Siyabonga was hard-pressed to bridge the lead and the filly could only achieve second place ahead of Smarty. Waseem Ahmed trained Honest Hunter got a good run along the rails and under a determined ride by Ashad Asbar, gained the upper hand inside the final 100 metres and managed to stave off the bid of favourite Amazing Script whose chances were hurt because of drifting out under pressure. Once More finished with a rush but missed the second position by a whisker.

Satheesh trained Ice Mummy won the 1200 metres Subramanya Bharati Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated up to 25 as a strongly fancied runner. In the hands of Nakhat Singh, Ice Mummy gained momentum in the stretch run and had everyone covered in the final furlong. Mountain of Light gave a chase but it was clear that it was going to be a futile one. Bahagar who did the early pace-setting was third. Faiyaz Ali Khan trained Royal Dancer was in command of the situation in the lower division of the race right from the start and jockey Suraj Narredu had no problem in steering the favourite to an easy win over late-rallying Golden Adara. All That Jazz snatched third place from Mastaani.

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Shiloh (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Cape Knight Plate (Div-I)

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Honest Hunter (A Ashhad Asbar up) winner of the Cape Knight Plate (Div-II)

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Royal Dancer (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Subramanya Bharati Plate (Div-II)

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Platinum (Rohit Kumar up) winner of the K.Bhagavandas Memorial Cup

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Rahuls Pet (Deepak Singh up) winner of the Air Command Cup

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Ice Mummy (Nakhat Singh up) winner of the Subramanya Bharati Plate (Div-I)

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