Arabian Knight displayed his staying prowess, winning The Golconda St.Leger 2008 (Gr.II), the last of the monsoon classics at Hyderabad. Bred at the Kunigal Stud this Dhariwal trained 4 year old gelding repeated his Bangalore Leger performance trouncing the opposition and in the process breaking the sixteen year record of Classic Style by over 3 seconds. Chasing Power Ranger till 1200 meters, Arabian Knight shot into the lead and never looked back after that. Samuel Fargeat gave a few taps on top of the straight and that was enough for the Knight to stop the clock at 2 minutes 56.72 seconds which was better than the existing record of Classic Style by 03.29 seconds. Arabian Knight is the proud possession of Dr.& Mrs.Vijay Mallya representing URBB Ltd., and Arjun Sajnani. Sweeping Success finished a tame second while Orachi took the third slot.

ARABIAN KNIGHT

Trainer M.V.Narayan Rao was in the limelight again, winning three races for the second day in succession. He led in Classic Art, Classic One and Canadian Girl. Classic Art has been the pick of the stable this season, having won three races this monsoon. Changing his style of running, Classic Art went to the front at 800 metres and held on from Mission Chief who warmed up a bit late. Champ Forever who chose the shortest way was hemmed up badly and finished third.

Rao's Classic One sprang a surprise in The Smt.C.Mohana Kumari Satyanarayana Memorial Cup. Her stable mate Sugar Gold had taken charge on top of the straight with See You There and Clever Ploy beginning to get closer. Clever Ploy packed up early but See You There galloped well and overtook Sugar Gold and was shaping like a winner. It was at this stage Classic One moved with telling strides to win by half a length.

Rao completed his treble when his ward Canadian Girl won The Top Most Plate, the concluding race of the day. In fact it was 1-2-3 for Narayan Rao in this race with his other wards Kohinoor Star and Onera Onera Onera finishing second and third respectively. Stylish Lady was permitted to be withdrawn before the race.

The day started with Adorna repeating her performance, lifting The Regency Cup making every post a winning one. After jumping out, Adorna went to the front with Vannen Berg and Toledo in tow. Approaching the 600 metres jockey Chouhan stepped up the pace and increased the lead which could never be reduced by the other five runners in the race. Armstrong piped Toledo for the second place.

Bernardo from D'Silva's yard romped home a clear winner in The Raja Mehboob Karan Memorial Trophy. Apprentice B.Mukesh who is on the verge of completing 20 winners in his career took Bernardo to the front and approaching the final bend increased the lead and never looked back. Toofan Express finished second as Ice Candy who was a bit tardy at the start took the third spot.

Green Haven justified the favouritism claiming The Prince Khartoum Plate. Green Haven was the piping hot favourite at half money with the rest of the field at over 10s. Well positioned in third, Sequeira guided his mount Green Haven past the front runners

Al Malawi and Hunting Boy on top of the straight. Green Haven was not stretched and won comfortably from the late finishing Indradhanush. Al Malawi finished third.