The curtains came down on the Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2008 after twenty eight regular and two extra days of racing. Racing during the season turned out to be competitive with lot of close finishes. The monsoon track turned out to be a fast one with records being reset on almost all distances except the 1000 and 1200 meters. Arabian Knight was the Champion Horse of the season, winning The President of India Gold Cup and the Golconda St.Leger. L.D’Silva and Harish bagged the professional honours.

CANNON SCOT

A small card of six races was framed for the second extra and the concluding day. Cogent won The Commando Plate run over 1100 meters. Cogent with R.Umesh up, hit the front from the start and kept going with no signs of tiring till the finish. Dancing Touch ridden all out by Suraj Narredu covered lot of ground towards the finish but could not get the better of Cogent. Apprentice R.Umesh has shown a lot of promise this season and if he keeps his head down and rides you’ll hear more about him. Al Zahara was permitted to be withdrawn early and Fabulous Crown was withdrawn after he reared up inside the gate and hurt the rider in the process.
 
Flash Flares won the opening race of the day with ease from Corps Command who tried to make it start to finish. Flash Flares was improving his position throughout the race and came alongside Corps Command on top of the straight and sped past to score an easy victory. Madho finished third ahead of Grand Act.
 
Cannon Scot lost about two lengths at the start in The Nagpur Plate. Unperturbed by this D.Singh brushed up his mount quickly to pass the entire field and settled in front by the time they approached the 800 meter marker. The favourite Vijay Marg tried his best to catch the leader but failed by a length.
 
Navija went past the winning post victorious under the strong handling of Suraj Narredu. Navija had to work his way to pass the relentless Page Three who was trying to make it start to finish. Speed Motive managed to finish second pegging Page Three to third place. Al Tai was withdrawn after he refused to move into the gates.
 
Vijay Lakh won The Hyperion Plate from Greatballofchina. Having positioned himself well Vijay Lakh passed Ocean City near the distance post and opened up an useful gap of over three lengths. Greatballofchina, who was found to be hanging on the straight, came up in snatches to finish second. Ocean City took the third spot. Speedy Boy spun around after the start and dislodged the rider.
 
The concluding race was a handicapper’s delight. The first seven places covered within three and a half lengths. Fifty meters from home, it looked like Sprint Champ would land the spoils from Hunting Boy and Blend of Beauty but the entire complexion of the race was changed in a fraction of a second. Nandanvanaa looked to be plodding in the rear around 100 meters from the finish when Suraj Narredu pulled her out and showed the daylights to his mount and that was enough for this three year old filly to literarily fly to take the race. Sprint Champ, Blend of Beauty and Sweety Boy filled the frame. Indian Brave Heart drifted out alarmingly and finished close to the outer rails.
 
India Race wishes all its readers a Happy and Safe Diwali and we would be getting back to you with all the excitement of the Hyderabad Winter Season scheduled to commence on the 2nd of November.