If Saturday`s Hyderabad card had been a test of the market`s judgement, the punters would have walked away smiling. The favourites swept all six races, leaving the bookmakers with precious little to celebrate. The only race that demanded a little more than a glance at the betting board was the last, where Onslaught had to work overtime to justify top billing.

The star of the afternoon, however, was Zuccaro, who added another impressive chapter to his growing credentials by landing the Gr 2 President of India Gold Cup over 2400 metres. Having demolished the opposition in the Maharaja`s Cup at Bangalore, the Pesi Shroff-trained gelding showed that a step up in distance was hardly a reason for concern.

Jockey Vivek was in no hurry, keeping Zuccaro quietly parked at the rear while stablemate Duke of Tuscany did the pacemaking. Duke of Tuscany had produced a shock result at Pune but this time out, made sure the early running rather than the finish was his concern.

Miracle Star briefly took over in the straight before Dyf moved up to take charge. That, however, was when Zuccaro decided the waiting was over. The favourite swept into contention with a devastating burst and quickly settled the argument, winning in impressive fashion.

The victory gives Shroff a particularly pleasant problem ahead of the Invitation Cup at Mysore in October. With Zuccaro now adding a 2400-metre Group race to his résumé, the trainer has more than one card to play. For a trainer, some problems are worth having.

Vyasa ran on smartly to edge out Miracle Star for third, while Duke of Tuscany, having completed his pacemaking assignment, came home a further distance behind in fourth.

The rest of the afternoon was almost too predictable for racing purists. All six winners were favourites, with the market leaders apparently deciding that there was little point in keeping their backers nervous.

Donald Netto-trained One N Only justified strong favouritism in the 1200 metres Totaram`s Cup, a terms race for three-year-olds and over. The favourite took charge in the final furlong and looked to have the race under control when Emerald Touch produced a late burst. The filly gave the favourite something to think about but could manage only second. Black Onyx finished third ahead of Uchchaihshravas.

The 1100 metres Falaknuma Trophy (Div I), for horses rated 20 to 45, produced a more significant moment for apprentice Sohan Kumar. Donald Netto-trained She`s A Bomb, sent out at a short price despite having the inexperienced apprentice aboard, came through strongly in the closing stages to beat La Quinta, with American Affair third.

For Sohan Kumar, the odds may have been short, but the milestone was anything but small. It was his first career winner, and one suspects the photograph from the winners` enclosure will be treasured for a long time.

The lower division was even more straightforward. Imran Khan-trained Cosmic Gift, another short-priced favourite, treated the 1100 metres Falaknuma Trophy as little more than a morning stroll, powering away to win by four lengths. My Way My Rules was second ahead of long-shot Beverley.

The opening 1200 metres Rock of Gibraltar Plate for maiden three-year-olds also followed the script. Vittal Deshmukh-trained French Lieutenant, available at odds of over even money, had no difficulty disposing of front-running My Touch in the final furlong and drew away to score by four lengths. Bacchanmansvin held off Costa Mesa for third.

Then came the Nelston Plate, and finally the favourites were made to earn their keep.

Valledonna hit the front in the straight and stubbornly refused to surrender. Top-weighted favourite Onslaught, driven hard by Iman Chisty, appeared to be running out of time as the second favourite continued to hold her ground.

But Onslaught had other ideas. Chisty kept pushing, the favourite kept responding and, almost at the last gasp, Onslaught necked out Valledonna, who had looked the likely winner until the final few strides. Hoping High finished third.