Racing resumed in Hyderabad on Monday, marking the start of the monsoon season. As usual, the trend persisted: well-backed favorites often clinched victories, while unexpected winners surprised even the professionals. Horses frequently defy the best-laid plans, often winning at long odds when their connections least expect it, frustrating attempts to time their successes perfectly. Monday`s races showcased a mix of favorites winning and long shots disrupting the punters` expectations.

Despite not winning for over 200 days, Hilton Sequeira-trained Miss Maya had all the credentials for a victory. Her last three races were commendable efforts, albeit with some bad luck. In her previous three races, she lost in close finishes. Backed to redeem herself in the 1200 meters Osman Sagar Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 60 to 85, the progeny of Roderic O`Connor met expectations under jockey Akshay Kumar. The speedy Best Buddy set a fast pace, but Akshay Kumar remained unhurried on Miss Maya, keeping her in a handy second place ahead of another fancied runner, Kenaf. As Best Buddy faltered in the homestretch, Miss Maya surged past effortlessly, widening the margin to five lengths over Maverick, who rallied late. Best Buddy held on for third, while Kenaf was not in contention.

The lower division of the race saw a major upset with NRI Superpower, also from Sequeira`s stables, pulling off a stunning last-stride victory after coming from the last position. This surprising win was against Bangalore import Last Wish, who had strong betting support. High Reward led for most of the race, while the favorite, Enabling, was positioned around fourth or fifth. As High Reward maintained the lead deep into the straight, the final furlong brought dramatic changes. Last Wish surged powerfully on the wide outside, prompting the commentator to prematurely predict a victory. However, NRI Superpower finished with a rattle, clinching victory in the closing stride. Enabling failed to accelerate as expected, ending in a disappointing third place despite high betting expectations.

Sequeira who had a big haul of four winners on the opening day, had an easy winner which was also his last for the day though favourite Divine Prophecy in the 1200 metres P M Bokadwalla Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Backed to the exclusion of the rest to complete an encore, Sandesh chose not to go with the frenetic pace in front and settled the favourite in about the fifth or sixth position before making his moving around the final bend. Divine Prohecy covered those in front with ease and sped clear in the final furlong to win as she pleased from Wallop And Gallop who ran on late to finish secnd best.Adbut who set the pace stayed on to take the third position. Barring Divine Prophecy who was a short priced favourite, the odds on others indicated that none was capable of challenging her superiority.

In line with the outcomes of the feature event, where both a favorite and a long shot won their respective divisions, the lower division of the Bokawalla Trophy also saw an unexpected result. Magan Singh Parmar-trained Blazing Gun claimed victory at long odds, despite being an unfancied runner based on the betting. Bharath Singh-trained Kalki, the favorite, looked promising as he surged ahead in the final furlong and opened up a substantial lead. However, Kalki had no response when Blazing Gun, ridden by jockey Mohit Singh, made a powerful surge from far back, overtaking him effortlessly. Kalki struggled to maintain second place, narrowly holding off a late rally by Encore.

Trainer Sequeira, who had a lean run in the last two seasons, started the day with a commanding victory through Star of Night, the short-priced favorite, in the Con Amore Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. Jockey Sandesh made his move at the top of the straight, and the favorite had no trouble overtaking the front-runners, including pace-setter Linda, to secure an effortless win. Nonparil finished second ahead of Desert Hero.

The lower division of the race continued the day`s trend of long-shot winners. Espionage, from Donald Netto`s stables, held off a spirited challenge from Uchchaihshravas to win by a narrow margin. Gatiman finished third, while the heavily backed Clarity, trained by Laxman Singh, performed poorly.

There were two failed favorites from trainer Laxman Singh`s stables, but he managed to secure his first win of the season with Duke of Tuscany, a short-priced favorite, who won the 1400 meters Scarlet Prince Plate effortlessly under jockey Trevor Patel. Duke of Tuscany chased Queen Empress into the straight before Trevor Patel allowed him to surge ahead, leaving the field behind for an easy victory. Oliver`s Mount and Warwick took the second and third spots, respectively.

Donald Netto-trained Born Brave picked up momentum in the final furlong under jockey Akshay Kumar, comfortably overtaking the front-running Deccan Spirit to win the 1100 metres Adilabad Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, at attractive odds. Imeria finished third, while the favorite Calistoga failed to make an impression.

Jockey Akshay Kumar rounded off his tally with a third win, riding the well-backed American Flame from trainer Srinivas Reddy`s stables to victory in the 1200 meters Tenacity Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. American Flame made a well-timed run from far off the pace to take the lead in the final 100 meters, securing an easy win over Nav Lakhaa and Bien Pensant.