K.Satheesh trained Champ Forever beat his four opponents in the Ghulam Ahmed Memorial Trophy, the main race of Monday's racing at Hyderabad. With the initial pace being slow, Flying Rudolph set out in front, in the seven furlong trip. Imran Khan who has mastered the art of guiding his mount through the shortest way along the inner rails once again made his way between the leader Flying Rudolph and the rails, stretching out well in the last 100 metres to win the race. Dorabella stumbled passing the 400 metres and dropped back rapidly.
 
Trainer Ananth Vatsalya is having one of the best seasons of his career. He has done well this Winter, especially with the youngsters. Bringing down Choksey Ruzaan from Western India to ride his runners on Monday, Ananth scored a brace, winning on Iki Tombi and Rostock. Iki Tombi moved quickly to stay on the heels of the leader till the final bend. On the straight Pygmalion shot through along the rails, Ruzaan who rode with his head down, pushed Iki Tombi to overhaul Pygmalion on the straight. Emerald Bay and Firebird made a brief appearance and fell back, not able to match strides.

Champ Forever

Rostock, with a sustained run claimed the lower division of the Red Rocket Plate from Toofan Express. Chief De Mission and King of Hebashe came up very late to take the minor placing in a close finish.
 
The seven year old gelding, Shikra devoured ground in the final 150 metres to win the higher division from Clever Ploy and Super Brand. Shikra was a bit tardy at the start and had gradually improved his position before launching an assault on the straight.
 
The Jockey V.Rajasekhar Memorial Trophy was divided into two races. The two races were won in contrasting fashions. It was a runaway victory for Indian Storm in the higher division, while Celtic Shot claimed the lower division on the post. Dandiya had shot into the lead on the straight but began to shorten her stride in the final furlong. Dating who was closest to the leader went past and was shaping like a winner when Celtic Shot, being badly placed in second last, on top of the straight, flew in from out of the blue to snatch the race on the last stride. Jockey Ashhad Asbar never gave up riding and persisted with Celtic Shot throughout the straight and that paid rich dividends.
 
Greek Fire was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the lower division of the Common Knowledge Plate, a race for three year old maidens. He made it to the winning post effortlessly right from the start. Mighty Prince chased the winner, throughout the five and a half furlong trip to finish second.
 
The favourite Allegation won the opener with a comfortable margin from Millenium Queen, coming in with a late dash to get Royal Light and Our Opinion close home.
 
The only outsider of the day, Autmn Gold surprised everyone, winning the concluding race from pillar to post. Flourshien and Parineeta were in hopeless chase throughout the race, It was erroneously printed in the official race card that Impact would sport Blinkers. The error was corrected and Impact ran without Blinkers.