Favourites ruled the roost at Malakpet on Tuesday. The horses which had run at Bangalore benefitted from the fitness and won their respective races without facing any opposition. The lack of rain had delayed the commencement of the track work also went against the horses which had stayed back in the local centre. The lack of fitness told on their performances as many of them, despite promising efforts, fell short.

Briar Ridge was one of the two horses that won against the run of expectations. The 1200 metres Osman Sagar Cup, a race for horses rated 60 to 85, had an open look about it in the absence of a Bangalore returnee. Beauty Blaze had a lot of takers but the four-year-old filly warmed up to the task rather late. Despite a strong ride by jockey Akshay Kumar, Beauty Blaze was unable to overhaul long shot Briar Ridge from the stables of trainer Prasad Raju. The winner had shot ahead approaching the final furlong and was not hard-pressed to keep the lead. Morior Invictus was third.

Leo D`Silva trained Kenaf had it easy in the 1200 metres P M Bokdawala Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Kenaf who had recorded back-to-back wins in her first season at Malakpet, had a run benefit at Bangalore where she had finished sixth to Long Lease and had the requisite fitness to go to the post as a strong favourite. The odds on the favourite slightly drifted as a lot money came on Garnet. However, Kenaf had no problem in winning the race, having absolute control, by a widening margin of five lengths. Garnet gave a chase without hope. Pal Cha was third. The lower division of the race went the way of Ravinder Singh trained Brilliant Star who had recorded a smashing win at Bangalore. Brilliant Star burst through the middle to take charge in the final furlong to win as she pleased by a margin of over five lengths. Rising Queen was second ahead of Malibu.

The parade of favourites was halted in the sixth race of the day, the 1100 metres Adilabad Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Adbhut and Command Knight who had both summered at Bangalore, with the latter being an impressive winner, were both backed with conviction. Adbhut showed lot of speed to go storming clear enjoying a break of five lengths over the rest. Adbhut shaped like a winner but apprentice Ekram Alam could not maintain a straight course even as the front-running effort told on the favourite. Under a vigorous ride by Sai Kumar, Commanding Knight closed the gap with a flourish and went past the post locked together with the favourite. Commanding Knight prevailed by a whisker. Its On was faraway third. The Bangalore sojourn had benefited Enabling immensely as the three-year filly made mincemeat of the opposition to win the upper division of the race in taking style. Reigning Beauty held off Yaletown to get the runner-up berth.

Prasad Raju trained Alexina had run twice at Bangalore without making an impression. However, the fitness of Alexina perhaps may be the reason why she was quoted at miserly odds against an opposition which lacked ideal preparation. Alexina provided jockey Sai Kumar with an armchair ride to victory as the favourite won by a margin of five lengths over Pontefract and Colt Pistol. Happy Soul who was in the betting veered out at the start and dropped his jockey soon after the jump out.



Leo D`Silva trained Worcester had been sharpened with the benefit of two race runs at Bangalore and was well backed to win the 1400 metres Scarlet Prince Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Lucky Zone was another which too came in for solid support in the ring. The favourite though was Ravinder Singh trained Proud Mary who received massive support. In the event, Worcester was not pressed to win from the second favourite, with Akshay Kumar driving out the favourite for a comfortable win. Proud Mary had all the chances but faltered under pressure, the lack of the required fitness affecting her chances.

Satheesh trained Blue Label proved overwhelming superior to the horses that he was taking on as he recorded a win from way off the pace in the 1200 metres Tenacity Plate, a race for horses rated 0 to 25 at nourishing odds. Blue Label who was loitering at the rear end of the field, took the final turn wide but produced a flourishing run to get the better of Sorry Darling close to home. Ar Superior was half a length behind the runner-up in the third position.