Sandesh rode a good tactical race to guide Vishal Gaikwad trained Germanicus to a thrilling win over late flashing London by a whisker in the Gr 2 Golconda 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season at Malakpet on Monday. Germanicus thus provided the first season stallion Whatsthescript with his first classic. Whatsthescript stands at Manji Meadows and is owned by Faruq Rattonsey and his partners.

Germanicus who had finished second best in the Pune Derby was strongly fancied to win. London also had his share of supporters. Star Councillor went at a good clip in front followed by Emperador with Germanicus and London both settled in the rear. Star Councillor battled on in the straight while Emperador failed to quicken and despite his good credentials, was the first horse to get beat in the straight. Sandesh elected to choose the inner path on Germanicus and for his good fortune, he found his way without any hurdle and was in striking position behind Star Councillor well before the final furlong. On the other hand, London took the final turn wide and had to duck towards the inner side late in the day. Germanicus measured Star Councillor in the final furlong and opened a crucial lead which held him in good stead. London came up with a powerful charge in the final stages of the race but fell short by a whisker as Germanicus reached the safety of the winning post before he could be overhauled. The fact that London had veered out wide like he had done in his last run at Pune cost the progeny of Phoenix Tower of a possible win. Local challenger City of Harmony finished on very well to take the third place.

Anupam Sharma trained Military Belle who had come down a lot in scales further benefitted from the five kg allowance claimed by B R Kumar, looked to have a solid chance in the1400 metres Zurbaran Plate, a race for horses rated 46 to 70. The consistent Oathofyourdaughter, Valerian Steel and Canberra were also the ones in consideration by the punters. Despite not getting a clear run immediately on straightening, Military Belle charged home on the wide outside to go storming clear in the shadow of the post to record a comfortable win. Valerian Steel held off Canberra to get the runner-up berth. Golden Arrow was a close fourth.

Donald Netto trained Rahul’s Pet was quoted at cramped odds to record her third straight win in the 1200 metres Own Vision Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 46 to 70. Jockey Beuzelin Louis had Rahul’s Pet racing in front along the rails along with Seven Colours. The favourite bounced clear immediately on straightening and won by a widening margin of three lengths over Ans Ans Ans who rallied from behind to take the second position ahead of Legacy Machine. Favourite Dream Girl had no problem in obliging in the lower division of the race. Jockey Suraj Narredu had Dream Girl chase Catherine into the straight before assuming command. Dream Girl quickened well and was comfortably ahead of Little Smart Heart who finished on well in the end. Preciosa lost precious ground at the start, moved up steadily and was found wanting at a critical stage of the race and had to settle for the third place.

Shezad Abbas trained Princess Rose readily justified the favouritism in the Osman Sagar Cup, a race for horses rated 26 to 50. After chasing Sir Walter Raleigh well into the straight, Princess Rose asserted her supremacy and went storming clear to record an easy win. Rose D Mumtaz finished on well but narrowly failed to overhaul Sir Walter Raleigh from the second position.

The 1200 metres Zoom Zoom Plate, a race for horses rated up to 30, had an intriguing look about it with winner-picking being a hazardous guess. Brioni appeared to be better than many horses in the fray though the onus of being a favourite fell on Racing Ikon. In the event, it was long shot Yet Another who pulled off an upset at the expense of Brioni who found foot on the wide outside rather too late in the day to be of any help. Racing Ikon who was well positioned, failed to change gears and plodded on to be third.

Apprentice Gopal Singh stole the race on Red Rambble in the 2000 metres RWITC Cup, a race for horses rated 66 to 90. Gopal had Red Rambble run freely in front getting a lead of more than 10 lengths from the start without having to expend the horse which stood him in good stead. Red Rambble came into the straight well clear and since he was not exerted to get that lead, he had enough reserves to exploit that opportunity into a winning one by finishing six lengths clear of Greek Star. Tiger was third. Bangalore challenger Amazing Charm who flopped on a consistent basis, yet again was out of depth even against the local horses and finished a tame fourth.

Faisal Hassan trained That’s My Class looked the best prepared to win the 1200 metres Crack Regiment Plate, a race for maiden two-year-olds. After Warrior Supreme took over the running and shot ahead, That’s My Class steadily began to gain momentum and overhauled the front-runner in the final furlong to record an emphatic win. Star Gazer was third.

New Comer enjoyed the lead till the final moments of the race in the 1600 metres Birthday Girl Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated 26 to 50 but closer home, Hard Fought finished on strongly. The two went past the post locked together and could not be separated even by the magic eye. A head-heat was declared. Al Sadr was third.