Arjun Mangalorkar trained Salento fought a stiff battle for supremacy before eventually prevailing in the Gr 2 Golconda 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season on Sunday. Salento who was a dual classic winner on the same track in the monsoon, showed his fondness for the track when he put behind his poor run in the Mysore Derby with a spirited performance which saw him and jockey Anthony Raj, win their third classic.

Salento had all the credentials to be the firm favourite. However, the presence of Dyf from Adhirajsingh Jodha stables ensured that both these horses were well supported in the betting ring. Dyf was a fair performer during the recent Pune season. Though Salento was the obvious favourite, it was not going to be an easy one for him as most runners were within striking range and any mistake on the part of the jockey could have seen the result change. Anthony Raj rode with confidence, did everything right and ensured that his power-packed driving finish would enable Salento to stay ahead at the post. Five horses were almost in a line at the finish.

Ture Marshal set the pace followed by La Mirage, Dyf, Salento, Keep Faith, Kancha and Arthur. True Marshal held lead till the final furlong before being overhauled by Dyf. Salento showed up on his outside with a brisk effort. All Attraction who was making his run between these two horses was denied a clear run and jockey Srinath had to check his horse to prevent it from clipping Dyf. Salento managed to put his neck in front inside the final 100 metres and then staved off an aggressive effort by Kancha to prevail by a shade less than a length. Arthur too covered acres of ground from the last position to finish in the heap. Dyf was third a neck ahead of Arthur while another neck separated the third-placed horse from All Attraction. The last named was a trifle unlucky.

Apprentice jockey Sonu Kumar induced a late burst of speed on long shot Nightmare who came from the last position and managed to nose out favourite Hoping Cloud who was bidding for a hat-trick in the 1800 metres 1 EME Centre Rolling Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Just Incredible showed up in the final furlong with a powerful effort even as Hoping Cloud and Nightmare made their bids from way off the pace. Mohit Singh went all out on the favourite. Hoping Cloud managed to edge past Just Incredible in the dying moments of the race but was surprised by Shashikanth trained Nightmare who won by the proverbial whisker in the hands of the apprentice who ended up with a double for the day.

The benefit of a race run was expected to be an asset for Rising Tycoon who was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Step Aside Plate, a race for maiden two-year-olds. Rising Tycoon appeared to be on course when he shot ahead in the final furlong but was reigned by the late charge of Siddharth. Reigning Beauty got the better of the favourite by a neck to pinch the second spot.

The first race of the day, the 1600 metres Next Move Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category, saw My Way Or Highway and I Am Superman come in for spirited support. I Am Superman who came in three horses wide into the straight quickly assumed command with My Way or Highway who came wider in hot pursuit. The two fought out the length of the final furlong, with jockey Nikhil keeping I Am Superman ahead by a diminishing margin over the other fancied runner. The verdict was a head. Survivor headed Janasu to save place money.

Prasad Raju trained Clefairy who was an eye-catching second last time out was widely expected to make amends especially since jockey Akshay Kumar was in the saddle in the 1400 metres Sangam Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Clefairy was surprisingly off-colour finishing down the field. The well-fancied Acrobat from the stables of Vittal Deshmukh had no problem in winning the race with ease from stablemate Ivanhoe who held off Role Model for the second berth.

Jockey B R Kumar gave a confident ride to Shashikanth trained favourite Vision of Rose in the 1100 metres Vikarabad Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Vision of Rose chased the speedy gusty Note into the straight before assuming command down the final furlong. Vision of Rose won untroubled from the late rallying Cabello and Above The Law. The lower division of the race was also claimed by Donald Netto trained Garnet who proved too good for the field. Apprentice jockey Sonu Kumar took the favourite to the front and had no trouble in finishing well clear of Nucleus and Coming Home who fought for the minor spoils. Shashikanth won the Division III of the race as well. Favourite Bellaque was easily overhauled by Malibu in the final furlong and was shaping to win. A strong challenge by Silk in the hands of jockey Anthony Raj saw Silk put her neck in the closing strides of the race. Bellaque was third.