Laxman Singh trained Malaala achieved a remarkable hat-trick in a splendid fashion. Dominating the 1200 meters Alaindair Plate, a race designated for horses rated 80 and above, Malaala effortlessly outclassed the competition in the highest-rated event of the races held at Malakpet on Monday. The current unpredictability in racing, influenced by both the inconsistency of horses and the professionals taking things for granted, has marked the racing landscape.

A notable development was the suspension of jockey Akshay Kumar from December 6 until the end of the season, attributed to his questionable ride on Fly Me in the concluding day`s races of the Monsoon Season.

Once a favourite among racing enthusiasts, Akshay Kumar enjoyed immense popularity not too long ago. Punters confidently backed his horses, expecting consistent success. However, over the past year, his performance experienced a downturn, a result of accepting subpar rides and engaging in questionable riding practices. Despite this, authorities extended a considerable leash, likely due to Akshay`s local roots and nationwide recognition. The suspension, spanning from December 6 until the season`s conclusion, is anticipated to serve as a wake-up call for him and others who may have taken the authorities for granted, as their actions may increasingly come under critical scrutiny as there is all-round disenchantment with the way results are accruing.

Turning back to the races, Malaala had secured two consecutive victories and was poised for another triumph. Surprisingly, the betting favour shifted towards Beauty Blaze, trained by N Rawal, who returned to sprinting after an underwhelming performance on an extended trip. Despite Malaala`s prime form, the odds were in favour of Beauty Blaze. Ultimately, apprentice jockey Ajay Kumar, currently in the spotlight, expertly positioned the long shot and surged ahead in the final furlong, securing a convincing victory over Soloist and Miss Little Angel. Beauty Blaze, ridden by Akshay Kumar, failed to secure a forward position, lingered at the rear of the field, and made minimal progress in the straight. This inability to manoeuvre a forward position mirrored many of Akshay Kumar`s rides over the past two seasons.

Donald Netto trained Maximum Glamour was another of the strongly backed horses to let down expectations in the 1200 metres Black Jack Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, Maximum Glamour was not in striking range and was a beaten cause well before the final furlong. Long shot Angelita who did all the running and shaped like a winner going to the final furlong but Tripurari, under a vigorous ride by Nikhil caught up with the faltering front-runner and got the nod in the concluding strides of the race. Star Racer was third ahead of Plethora. For the record, the first four place finishers were available at very long odds. Maximum Glamour was a dismal last. Though the horse had not won for a considerable period of time, the fact that the five-year-old mare had come down a category and the success of her stablemate in the previous race in similar circumstances had largely influenced the betting. The second favourite in the race Sopranos which had the services of Akshay Kumar did not raise hopes at any stage of the race.

Bellaque, from the stables of Donald Netto, had come down a category and was backed confidently to oblige in the 1100 metres Bash Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Bellaque was confidently ridden in front by jockey Imran Khan and the favourite had no problem in storming clear to win comfortably from late rallying Warwick. Coming Home was third. The lower division of the race too went the way of the heavily supported Magnum from the stables of trainer Sreekant. The favourite had no problem in staving off the challenge of Precious Gift and Calista Girl who chased the winner in vain.

The other horse of Sreekant who received disproportionate support was Creative Force in the 140etres November Queen Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 25. The favourite played truant, not seen with any chance to have a say at the finish. Lesser fancied Magan Singh Parmar`s Delhi Heights, under the riding of Nikhil, asserted her supremacy by the final furlong for a comfortable win.

Ananth Vatsalya trained China Town was backed with exaggerated confidence by the punters to win the 1800 metres Winter Star Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. China Town was handily placed at the top of the straight as Satheesh trained Role Model did all the front-running. However, China Town began to falter when asked to quicken and began to falter. Role Model spurted clear to win as she pleased from China Town`s stablemate Mauser. Alpine Girl was third. China Town who finished fourth reportedly came back lame after the race.

Trainer Satheesh had started the day on a winning note, saddling the winner through lesser fancied Club Queen who gave a dominant performance in the 1200 metres Diego Riveira Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest category. Like most horses of Satheesh, Club Queen too ran aggressively in front and held off the only challenge that came from Golden Inzio. Urgent was third more than eight lengths adrift of Golden Inzio. Sreekant trained Dali`s Champion obliged as a strong favourite in the lower division of the race, staving off the challenge of Canterbury. The rest of the runners were not in contention, finishing more than eight lengths behind the runner-up.