Anant Vatsalya’s star mare Imperia delivered a majestic performance, completing a hat-trick of wins in the 1400m K Srinivas Reddy Memorial Cup at Hyderabad, leaving both her rivals and the punters in shock. Despite her stellar form, most eyes—and wallets—were on Uchchaihshravas, trained by Nilesh Rawal, who was expected to continue his own winning streak, especially with Suraj Narredu in the saddle. The money flowed for Uchchaihshravas like water in a drought, but in the end, it was Imperia who quenched her thirst for victory, galloping away with the win in commanding style.

Jockey Ajeeth Kumar had one plan: take the lead and never look back. Imperia lapped up the role of front-runner, cruising along with ease while Uchchaihshravas, sitting in third, looked like he was waiting for a dramatic final act. Sadly for him, when the curtain lifted, his performance fizzled out. Despite a late surge, Uchchaihshravas's response was not up to expectations. Meanwhile, Imperia soared to a four-length lead, leaving her challengers in the dust. Uchchaihshravas, reportedly battling a wind issue, wheezed into second place, while Decoy trailed a distant third, perhaps wondering why he even bothered.

Trainer Satheesh, a man with the patience of a saint, believes in running his horses relentlessly, hoping that someday, the stars will align. His three-year-old, Rolls Royce, had raced nine times without a win, placing in the runner-up spot only once. But in the 1400m Nalagonda Plate, against a field of maidens, Rolls Royce finally shifted into high gear. Jockey R S Jodha sent him bolting to the front, and the progeny of Planetaire turned the race into a Sunday drive, winning by an eye-watering six lengths. Blazing Saddle and Varaneek Gold followed at a safe distance, perhaps appreciating the sight of Rolls Royce’s taillights.

In the 1200m Lady In Lace Plate, money talked and Assured Success walked—or rather, stormed—away with the race. Though Federer began as the favourite, a late surge of bets on Sreekant-trained Assured Success sent punters scrambling. Apprentice jockey Ajay Kumar had no trouble piloting his mount to victory, with Assured Success living up to his name, winning by a street-length six lengths. Ambitious Star claimed second, while Fortunatus recovered from a slow start to grab third from the fading Federer, who may need to reassess his service game.

Trainer Ravinder Singh, known for throwing curveballs in the betting ring, did it again as his Calista Girl bolted to victory. Punters had piled onto Sangreal, but the favourite looked like she was running in glue until the very end. By the time she found her stride, Calista Girl was already home. Divine Connection led the way early but ran out of steam, finishing third, much to the dismay of those expecting a holy intervention.

Ariette, trained by Nilesh Rawal, made good on her status as the favourite in the 1200m Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup (Div I). Moved from Sunday to Monday to round out the card, the race saw Ariette warm up late but powerfully under jockey Akshay Kumar, chasing down the front-runner Challenger, who wilted when it mattered most. Challenger hung on for second by a neck, but by then, it was Ariette's name shining in lights.

Trainer Nilesh Rawal and jockey Akshay Kumar teamed up to complete a day’s double with a smooth victory aboard Anemoi in the 1600m Gimcrack Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Despite eight previous runs without a win, Anemoi finally decided it was time to show the field who’s boss, pulling ahead by a commanding three lengths. Definite managed to pip Politics for the runner-up spot, while the well-backed London Bell? Nowhere to be seen when it mattered, as the favourite failed to make an appearance at the business end of the race. Looks like London Bell was playing up when the start was given which put paid to his hopes.