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Laxman Singh trained Beyond Limits swamped the opposition in the 2000 metres G V Rao Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65, the feature event of Monday`s Hyderabad races. The favourite faced no opposition from the rest who were totally inadequate paving the way for a runaway for the public fancy.
Beyond Limits had finished behind Ayur Shakti in his last essay over seven furlongs with a late charge from the rear. Now racing over the extended trip of a mile and quarter, Beyond Limits was expected to come into his own. Mind Reader did the customary front-running with jockey Ashhad Asbar settling Beyond Limits in the rear. Approaching the final turn, Asbar began to improve position on the favourite and by the final 300 metres it was clear that Beyond Limits would trounce the opposition. Beyond Limits had the race sewn up in the final furlong winning by a widening margin of four lengths. Artistryy headed Mind Reader at the post to snatch the runner-up berth.
Hilton Sequeira trained Kesariya Balam was the betting rage in the1800 metres Step Aside Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45 and deservedly so as the others in the fray did not command any decent racing form. The second favourite Royal Treat was erratic in both his outings and had raced wide and finished way behind. This itself indicated that Kesariya Balam who had run a close second to Guiding Force would have things his way. Glendale set a comfortable pace with Royal Treat behaving better this time out and racing close to the rails in about the fourth or fifth position with Kesariya Balam relaxed in the rear group. Approaching the final bend, jockey Nakhat Singh made his move on Royal Treat who was still inclined to run wide but under this control this time. The moment jockey Akshay Kumar got busy on the favourite, Kesariya Balam easily overtook Glendale inside the final 300 metres and stormed ahead to win by a widening margin of five lengths. Royal Treat managed to keep the second position ahead of Lancashire.
Lombardy made an impressive debut in the 1100 metres Wishful Thinking Plate, a race for maiden two-year-olds. Backed strongly to make a winning debut, the Vittal Deshmukh trainee chased Aintree into the straight before storming ahead to provide jockey Nathan Evans with an easy win. Aintree had to be satisfied with the runner-up berth for the third time in a row. Royal Romance was third.
Akshay Kumar drove out Ravinder Singh trained Royal Dancer to measure favourite All Star General in the closing strides of the race to land the spoils in the 1400 metres Sangam Plate, a race for horses rated up to 25. Jockey Irvan Singh pushed All Star General to take over the running on turning for home from pace-setter Cowboys Delight and bounced clear and shaped like a winner. However, Royal Dancer who had some lengths to cover when Akshay Kumar made his move, covered the leeway aggressively and got stronger close home to win with a measure of comfort in the end. Recumbentibus ran on to take the third position.
Srinivas Reddy trained Mahashakti who had a reasonable form to go by duly obliged in the 1600 metres Cyndy Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Exclusive Art came in for one-sided support perhaps based on the impressive mock race, but the favourite struggled and managed to finish fourth. Mahashakti chased Let It Be well into the straight before assuming command going into the final furlong and easily staved off the strong bid of Gazebo. Minnelli who was loitering in the rear covered good ground in the stretch to finish third. It was later reported that Exclusive Art reported bleeding.
Robin Reddy trained Ashka Ashka Ashka proved too good in the 1200 metres Starry Scene Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Ashka Ashka Ashka came into strong contention in the final furlong and had no problem in keeping the challenge of Marina Del Rey at bay. Vancouver was third. Ravindra Singh had two horses running in the lower division of the race with Akshay Kumar declared to ride on Scooby Dooby Do which perhaps sent a confusing signal to the punter because Shandaar had better racing form. The former opened as a favourite before weakening in the betting ring with smart money coming on Shandaar. Top Contender was another who attracted significant betting. After Prince Caspian led well into the straight, Top Contender came into strong contention with a furlong left in the race but was effectively challenged by Shandaar who got strong close home to win with a measure of comfort in the hands of apprentice jockey Surya Prakash.
Satyanarayana trained Mr Shanghai who was running over a sharp trip and Laxman Singh schooled Sublime came in for strong support in the 1200 metres Haridwar Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Sublime had the lead going into the final furlong, but her hopes were put paid by Mr Shanghai who finished on powerfully, clinching the issue in the final stride of the race. His Excellency was a close third ahead of Darshish.
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Lombardy (Nathan Evans up) winner of the Wishful Thinking Plate
Royal Dancer (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Sangam Plate
Mahashakti (A Ashhad Asbar up) winner of the Cyndy Plate (Div-II)
Kesariya Balam (Akshay Kumar up) winner of the Step Aside Plate
Shandaar (Surya Prakash up) winner of the Starry Scene Plate (Div-II)
Beyond Limits (A Ashhad Asbar up) winner of the G. V. Rao Memorial Cup
Ashka Ashka Ashka (P Ajeeth Kumar up) winner of the Starry Scene Plate (Div-I)
Mr Shanghai (Rohit Kumar up) winner of the Haridwar Plate
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