Altamash Ahmed trained Scionic won the Gr 3 Deccan Bookmakers’ Fillies Trial Stakes, the first classic of the season, on Sunday. For young trainer Altamash, this was his first classic success in his short career. Incidentally, the Fillies Trial Stakes was a deemed classic all these years but with the graded status having been accorded since this year, the race is a classic in all respects. The success of Scionic should boost trainer Altamash’s career. He has won a fair share of races back home at Mumbai with a relatively small string. The fact that he is ambitious and wants to win big races is big plus point for Altamash who graduated from Rashid Byramji’s yard.

Pune challenger Sun Elegance was the favourite with Couleur Rouge who had beaten Kohinoor Wish in her last assignment also being strongly fancied. The race itself had a very open look about it as none of the runners had towering performance to back their credentials. Scionic had run a fair race in the F D Wadia Trophy and she had earlier won a race during the Bangalore Summer Season following a Stewards enquiry. The daughter of King’s Best Constantina was also expected to run a great race as her sire had two sired the Epsom and Japanese Derby winner this year. Vijay Damini who had proved her mettle over shorter trips was also expected to run a big race.

The speedy daughter of Elusive City, Vijay Damini led the field from the start with Scionic in close proximity, with the rest of the runners spaced out behind. Vijay Damini held the initiative till the final furlong but Scionic got stronger close home and stretched away from the long time leader to record a convincing win. Scionic is by Diffident out of Battle Star. Couleur Rouge ran on to finish third while Constantina appeared hopelessly one paced and struggled to pick up steam and was a disappointing sixth. Ice Bound ran on to finish fourth ahead of Golden Queen.

Laxman Singh trained Raj Veer who has always been known as a speedy customer, hadn’t tasted success for sometime now. However, the progeny of Mischievous Music brought off a stunning upset against the run of expectations in the 1200 metres Original Vel Mrs. Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup, a Category I race. Scubario had more supporters than the rest to land the spoils. After Dancing Touch held sway till the final furlong, Red River Rebel who was in hot pursuit, surged ahead but her foray in front was seriously threatened by Raj Veer who surged ahead inside the final 100 metres. There was a cluster finish, with Raj Veer managing to head the late rallying Aphrodisiac who in turn was a neck ahead of Red River Rebel. Scubario was a length behind the third placed horse.

Laxman Singh’s other ward Caligatae who had twice let down as a fancied runner, produced a shock verdict in the A Krishnaswamy Memorial Cup (Div I), a Category II race. Apprentice jockey Harinder Singh took Caligatae on a start to finish mission and the rank outsider sprinted away from the rest in the final furlong to win with a great deal of comfort. Pythagoras necked out Paymaster and Rosemead who dead heated for the third spot. The lower division of the race too saw punters get a rude shock as Metaforce led all the way and survived by the skin of his teeth. Tell Me A Tale finished with a big run only to miss the berth by a whisker.

Faisal Hassan trained Samsonite was the overwhelming favourite to win the Blue Max Cup and the favourite did not disappoint as he easily held off his opponents for a comprehensive win. Samsonite overhauled the front running Flashy Conquest inside the final 150 metres and comfortably won from late finishing Alexander Square.

Vittal Deshmukh trained Fleet Commander, who was at miserly odds, was driven out to get the better of front running Alybro in the 1600 metres Raja Sahed of Ityal Memorial Cup to record a repeat win.

Favourite Jabel Queen left the field standing with a furlong out to win the Diablo Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. Aficionado held off Retaliate for the second spot. Dream Deal also justified favoritism in the lower division of the race with a powerful run on the wide outside to get the better of Zarina.

The well backed Forest Flame had no problem in disposing of the opposition in the 1100 metres Scenic Royale Plate to win the five and half furlong race with ease from Man On Fire.