Satheesh trained Time For Fun produced a stunning acceleration in the final furlong to get the better of Aika Aika Aika in the waning yards of the race to win the 1600 metres Telangana and Andhra Sub-Area Cup, a race for horses rated 74 and above, the feature event of races held at Hyderabad on Sunday. When Aika Aika Aika stormed into the lead, it looked as though the race had been well sewn up, but the classic winner slackened perhaps feeling a physical niggle.

The big field that was in the fray looked competitive as at least half a dozen horses had a realistic chance of pulling it off. Prospero was expected to be the horse to beat but the fancied runner who has never been a model of consistency or reliability, packed up after being in touch with the pace-setter Baashagar till entering the homestretch. Aika Aika Aika appeared well prepared and this was also indicated in the spirited betting on the classic race performer. Aika Aika Aika burst through the pack with about 300 metres left in the race and sailed clear. However, the filly began to send distress signals in sight of the post. Time For Fun, with a spirited run, put paid to the hopes of Aika Aika Aika. Ashwa Raftar who was at the rear end of the field, made rapid ground along the rails and came into strong contention but had to settle for the third place. Western Wind was third while Red Ramble who ran detached from the field, made big progress in the homestretch to be a suggestive fourth. The extended trip may see him better light next time out.

Vallee Romance had the benefit of a forward run and this two-year-old was backed to the exclusion of the rest to win the 1100 metres Nagarjuna Sagar Plate, a race for maiden two-year-olds. A race of nature can always prove unpredictable as it is difficult to predict the performance capability of first-timers. Valee Romance led in earnest deep into the straight but Shimmers who chased the favourite all along, got steam in the final furlong and easily collared the favourite to record an impressive win. The progeny of Phoenix Tower have always proved to be good precocious type of horses. Air Salute, with a late flourish, edged out the favourite from the runner-up berth.

Satyanarayana trained Dream Catcher was unlucky to lose the race by a whisker last time out and on the basis of that effort, looked a cinch in the 1200 metres Ardent Knight Plate, a race for horses rated 26 to 46. Jockey Akshay Kumar kept Dream Catcher in a handy position till going deep into the straight before unleashing the progeny of Green Coast. Dream Catcher at once left the fielding gasping to win by a widening margin of seven lengths. Shandaar took the second position ahead of a battling duo of News O’Star and Gladstone.

Laxman Singh trained Vijay’s Dynamite broke into a handy lead right from the start of the 2000 metres Elusive Hero Plate, a race for horses rated 42 to 62 and this held the lesser fancied runner in good stead. Vijay’s Dynamite held off the strong challenge of late rallying City of Sails to land the spoils. Tootsie’s Toll staved off Exclusive Striker to save place money. Favourite Dahlois was not spotted at the busy end.

Ananth Vatsalya trained Kohinoor Legend produced a winning performance in the1400 metres Bhongir Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated up to 30 with a spirited run down the final furlong. Patron Saint and Sunday Carnival occupied the next two slots on the frame while favourite Mountain of Light failed to justify the expectations. A quiet touch was brought off on Arjun Anne trained Recumbentibus in the lower division of the race. Recumbentibus moved with raking strides approaching the final furlong and thereafter broke clear to win easily in the hands of jockey Sai Kiran. Cannon Grey, Ice Mummy and on money favourite Flowersfromabrook occupied the next three slots on the frame in close order.

Sk Kassam trained Citi Colors brought off an upset in the 1400 metres Vegavathi Plate, a race for horses rated 26 to 46, keeping the challenge of General Salute at bay. The contest was closer for the minor placings with Golden Xanthus heading Secret Art for the third position.

Satheesh trained Sweet Story proved to be far too superior to the opposition in the Time And Place Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated up to 30. Despite being interfered by a riderless Friendly Gesture, Sweet Story made progress on the wide outside to provide Boppanna with an easy win. Jasmine Garden was second while Tough Sussex saved place money finishing a short head ahead of Indian Knight in the cluster finish for minor placings.

*******************

---

Time For Fun (Nakhat Singh up) winner of The Telangana And Andhra Sub-Area Cup

---

Vijay's Dynamite (Gopal Singh up) winner of The Elusive Hero Plate

---

Shimmers (Prashant P Dhebe up) winner of The Nagarjuna Sagar Plate

---

Recumbentibus (K Sai Kiran up) winner of The Bhongir Plate (Div-II)

---

Dream Catcher (Akshay Kumar up) winner of The Ardent Knight Plate

---

Citi Colors (A A Vikrant up) winner of The Vegavathi Plate

---

Kohinoor Legend (Deepak Singh up) winner of The Bhongir Plate (Div-I)

---

Sweet Story (C P Bopanna up) winner of The Time And Place Plate (Div-II)

---