If the Hyderabad Winter Season had a scriptwriter, he would probably claim credit for suspense, chaos, and the occasional traffic jam. Vittal Deshmukh trained Walking Thunder supplied the drama, producing a thrilling win in the 1200 metres Common Land Plate, the top event of Tuesday’s truncated Hyderabad Winter Season.

The season itself deserves a polite round of applause. After a five month pause thanks to the unwelcome appearance of glanders, the authorities managed to stage at least a short racing programme in March, a month when Malakpet usually rolls down the shutters for the summer. That alone qualifies as administrative optimism of Olympic standards.

Despite the usual handicap of missing track work data, the races behaved themselves and largely followed predictable lines. Form from the previous season held firm, proving once again that racehorses occasionally respect history more than speculation.

The feature event looked all but signed, sealed and stamped for the strongly backed favourite Cherie Chevalier. Unfortunately, the favourite had other plans. A hesitant start planted him at the rear and jockey Yash Narredu was forced to negotiate a maze of horses that resembled evening traffic at a Hyderabad junction. Just as daylight appeared, Walking Thunder, launching from even further back, arrived with the subtlety of a monsoon cloudburst.

Narredu angled Cherie Chevalier out for a late run but the damage was done. Walking Thunder surged ahead to prevail by a neck from Timeless Vision, while the fast finishing favourite ended a short head away in third. With a kinder start and fewer traffic obstacles, the favourite might well have obliged. Racing, however, rarely issues refunds.

The 1200 metres Srisailam Plate for maiden three-year-olds was a puzzle largely because every horse was making its debut. Master Class, Modin, Toshiro and Dardanus attracted attention in the betting ring, with Master Class enjoying slightly louder applause from punters.

Modin set the early pace while Dardanus overcame an outside draw to settle prominently. Master Class jumped reasonably but then seemed to remember something important behind him and drifted to the rear, forcing jockey Imran Chisty to remind him about the race in progress. Warming up midway, Master Class swung wide into the straight and even collared Dardanus briefly. The latter, however, fought back gamely to score by a length, while the ground covering effort of Master Class probably extracted its price. Toshiro finished on to be third.

Trainer Bharath Singh, who saddled Dardanus to victory, had earlier opened his account through Sharanga in the 1200 metres Jangaon Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Sharanga, strongly backed, disposed of the opposition with professional efficiency, giving jockey Anthony Raj and the trainer a double for the afternoon. La Quinta offered token resistance before settling for second ahead of the well supported Analysis.

The short priced favourite Greif from the stables of trainer Prasad Raju adopted a patient approach in the 1100 metres Aberader Plate. After spending most of the race in the rear, Greif unleashed a sharp burst in the final furlong to collar the front running Aditya and win comfortably. Aquatone finished second while Catch The Worm dead heated with Aditya for third place.

In the 1400 metres Crown Treasure Plate, Northern Waves from Shashikanth’s yard carried solid credentials, having kept respectable company earlier. The betting ring, however, displayed a curious fondness for Knight Regent. On the track, Northern Waves rendered the debate unnecessary. Positioned handily by Anthony Raj, the gelding took charge on turning for home and drew clear to score decisively. Knight Regent finished second ahead of Corde Madera. Anthony Raj thus ended with a treble for the day.

Trainer Ananth Vatsalya appears to be enjoying a particularly lively phase of form and his Red Hot Punch delivered accordingly in the 1200 metres Saroor Nagar Plate. Ajeeth Kumar kept the four year old restrained in second before letting him loose in the straight. The result was emphatic. Red Hot Punch stormed clear long before the finishing post appeared in the distance.

Exclusive Luck, trained by Imran Khan and backed enthusiastically despite not having visited the winner’s enclosure for 890 days, rediscovered only part of his old enthusiasm and settled for second. Deccan Ranger completed the frame.

The 1400 metres Sir Bruce Plate witnessed the disappointments of fancied runners Lego and Cape May. The latter even raised hopes briefly by striking the front in the straight, but Hilton Sequeira trained Wolf Creek arrived with a powerful late run to sweep past and win decisively. Cape May held on for second while long shot Sadiya finished third. Lego trailed home a well beaten fourth. Jockey B R Kumar partnered the winner.