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Trained by Rakesh, O Hansini, known for her consistent performances, demonstrated her superiority in the 1200 meters Kakatiya Million, a race for four-year-olds and over, in spectacular fashion, defeating local contender Ashwa Morocco in the highlight event of Monday's races at Malakpet. Despite being the overwhelming favourite, Bangalore challenger Polished Girl from the Narredu family failed to live up to public expectations of continued dominance, delivering a disappointing performance.
While Polished Girl had credentials, the strong support she received may have been influenced by the successful streak enjoyed by trainer Rajesh Narredu and jockey Suraj Narredu. However, in a competitive race featuring horses with uninterrupted campaigns, Polished Girl's odds did not reflect the race's competitiveness, especially with the presence of O Hansini, the renowned sprinter from Mysore, whose odds significantly drifted out.
At the start, Candy Girl, known for her free-running style and recent victories over a mile, led the field, followed by Ashoka, Polished Girl, Ashwa Morocco, with O Hansini trailing in the penultimate position. Candy Girl maintained her lead for a long while in the straight while Polished Girl faded from contention without a fight. O Hansini was urged into action by jockey Vivek G swiftly covered ground and unleashed her trademark burst of speed to surge past the frontrunner and secure victory. Ashwa Morocco also finished strongly, narrowly edging out long-time leader Candy Girl to claim the runner-up position.
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Leo D’Silva trained Huntingdon, coming off a hard-fought victory in his previous outing, secured a more convincing win this time in the 1400 meters Rising Star Plate (Div II), a race designated for horses rated 80 and above. Despite Malaala's disappointing season, the horse surprisingly garnered significant support in the betting ring, while Huntingdon was offered at more generous odds. Jockey Mukesh Kumar unleashed Huntingdon with a powerful surge down the final furlong on the wide outside. The Deccan Colts Championship winner, previously victorious against contenders like Synthesis during the monsoon season, surpassed those in the lead to clinch a notable victory.
A bit of commotion ensued, with Beauty Blaze, who finished second, rolling in and causing a chain reaction that impeded the progress of Soloist who was running on the inside. Painted Apache, making a late dash, secured the third position.
Following an objection by Soloist's trainer, Hilton Sequeira, against jockey Sai Kumar, who rode Beauty Blaze, for shifting and obstructing the progress of his horse, the stewards upheld the objection. Consequently, Beauty Blaze was demoted to fourth place. Painted Apache was promoted to second, Soloist to third, and Beauty Blaze to fourth. The stewards' decision marked a departure from the usual leniency regarding interferences.
In the Rising Star Plate (Div I), a race designated for horses rated 80 and above, Akido, trained by Satheesh, built on his previous good showing and clinched a narrow win. Despite carrying the top weight, Siddharth was expected to return to winning form. However, the favourite faced obstacles in the final furlong when he was taken out by the front-running Strauss. Although Siddharth managed to break free in the last 100 meters, by then, Akido had already established a useful lead along the rails. Despite Siddharth's attempt to close the gap under the guidance of jockey Mukesh Kumar, Akido, ridden by apprentice jockey Md Ekram Alam, held on to secure victory by half a length.
The day's proceedings kicked off with Golden Inzio, representing Sreekant’s stables and considered an underdog by the market, making a stunning surge in the race's final moments to snatch victory from the heavily favoured Wandering Warrior in the 1200 meters Saroornagar Plate (Div II), a race for horses in the lowest category. Initially, Glimmer of Hope led the pack into the last stretch with Wandering Warrior in hot pursuit. However, under pressure, Wandering Warrior failed to maintain a straight course and veered off track. Despite this, the favourite managed to gain the lead with only 100 meters remaining and seemed on course for victory until Golden Inzio, guided by apprentice Ajay Kumar, unleashed a powerful burst from the wide outside, clinching victory by a narrow margin. Glimmer of Hope settled for third place, while Federer, the second favourite who had to cover a significant distance in the final stretch, finished fourth.
Trained by Robin Reddy Kondakalla, Park Lane entered the 1400 meters Kamareddy Cup (Div II) with strong credentials, following an impressive second-place finish in her previous outing. Despite being favoured, the fluctuation in odds and the generous prices offered on all horses indicated uncertainty among punters and bookmakers. Royal Pal, who had finished third despite the interference in his last race, took the lead within the first furlong and maintained it into the final stretch. Meanwhile, Park Lane, initially positioned in the rear group, was skillfully urged forward by jockey Md Ismail along the outer track. Covering significant ground, the favourite surged ahead just before the finish line, validating her favouritism. China Town, also a contender in the betting, gave chase to the eventual winner but eventually weakened to finish third.
Trained by Shashikanth, Colt Pistol emerged victorious in the 1200 meters Jangaon Plate, a race catering to horses rated 40 to 65, at favourable odds, marking a return to the winner's circle for the first time in the winter season after a considerable wait. Adbhut, the favourite, led the field well into the straight before Colt Pistol made a bid for the lead along the wide opening that was available along the rails. Colt Pistoldisplayed remarkable acceleration, surging ahead in the final furlong for a comfortable victory in the hands of jockey Hindu Singh. La Mirage, making a late charge, surpassed the tiring Silk to claim the third position, while the favourite Adbhut disappointed with a fourth-place finish. Silk reportedly came back lame after the race.
Beauty Flame, trained by Nilesh Rawal, lived up to expectations at favourable odds in the 1400 meters Kamareddy Cup (Div I), a race tailored for horses rated 20 to 45. As Jet Falcon led the pack into the home stretch, jockey N B Kuldeep guided Beauty Flame into a clear path, allowing the horse to surge ahead in the final furlong. Despite being well-backed, Power Ranger lingered at the rear with ample ground to cover. Despite Power Ranger's strong performance, he couldn't close the gap, and Beauty Flame emerged as a comfortable winner, with Sadiya securing third place.
NRI Superpower, a long shot from trainer Hilton Sequeira's stables, capitalized on a dream run along the rails in the final furlong, ultimately making a crucial difference in the outcome of the 1600 meters Vegavati Cup, a race designed for horses rated 40 to 65. Despite Sacred Bond, known for his struggles at the gates, being heavily backed as the favourite ahead of Blazing Gun, he lost all chances right at the start by staying put in the gates, emerging long after the other runners had cleared. Meanwhile, NRI Superpower, positioned around seventh place, was guided along the rails by jockey Kaviraj, while Blazing Gun made a move from well off the pace on the wide outside. The two battled fiercely down the length of the final furlong, with NRI Superpower narrowly holding on to secure victory after a wait of over 400 days. Conversely, Blazing Gun was aiming for a repeat victory. Toffee, who led the pack initially, weakened to finish third.
Trained by Sreekant, Blue Brigade made a late rally that proved sufficient to overtake the front-running Exter in the 1200 meters Saroornagar Plate (Div I), a race tailored for horses in the lowest category. Despite having bled through both nostrils in its previous race, American Flame received strong support from bettors. Blue Brigade, whose last performance was subject to an inquiry, also garnered significant attention from punters.
In the final furlong, American Flame led the charge but quickly faded as long-shot Exter surged ahead. However, Blue Brigade prompted to action at the top of the straight, unleashed a powerful run under jockey Kuldeep Singh, overtaking the front-runner comfortably within the final 100 meters to secure victory. American Flame settled for third place in a race mostly contested by horses with poor racing form.
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