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L.D’Silva and K.V.Srinivas led in three winners apiece on the opening day, both completing hat tricks. The second, third and fourth races were won by D’Silva’s wards. Jockey M.F.Ali Khan partnered the first two of them. Atahualpa and Gallant Prince had returned from Bangalore and proved to be fitter when they justified the favouritism. Smrithiman led till the last 100 metres and surrendered to Atahualpa’s onslaught in the first division of the Welcome Plate. Nitin Singh, the rider of Smrithiman was suspended for three days for failing to persevere with his mount in the final stages, thereby losing the second place. Gallant Prince led till 800 metres in the Nelston Cup and was in no hurry when Al Malawi, Indian Army, Queen of Hebashe and Pay Master started to push themselves for position in the front. Once they appeared on the straight The Prince went ahead gallantly to win the race. Clever Ploy who was not in the reckoning in the betting came up with a late flourish to snatch the C.R.Bhoopal Memorial Cup. Fly By Wire warmed up late and finished a close second ahead of Iaepetus who was always there on the straight but failed to accelerate.
Srinivas’s treble was all at lucrative odds. The higher division of the Act in Time Plate was won by Golden Flame beating Many Thanks and Kohinoor Diamond. The lower division was won by Hospitality who had to survive an objection by the second placed Jugnu. Hospitality and Jugnu fought out the last 100 metres and the rider of Jugnu objected that the winning jockey had hit the head of his horse with the whip and the whip had got stuck in his bridle and therefore his mount was hesitant to take the gap which ultimately was the reason for his finishing second, was overruled by the stewards. Keep an eye on Regents Park who finished a close third coming from out of the blue.
Christopher rode out Walk in the Park to claim the higher division of the Wandering Star Plate. Since finished second, ahead of Leo Dvij, who was full of running in the final stages of the race. Christopher picked up the lower division on the fancied Blazing Bounty, to complete a double. Settling well behind the early leader Hari Har Priya, Blazing Bounty went ahead in the final furlong to score an encore.
The much fancied Pythogaras failed to show promise in any part of the race and finished third in the lower division of the Welcome Plate, the opening race of the season. Prasad Raju’s Party Doll made it a start to finish affair with the Beatles Angel taking the second spot.
A few new innovations, which would benefit the racing public, have been started this season at Hyderabad. The Penetrometer reading is being officially announced and the reading on the first day was 4.84 cms. The electronic timer which would be displayed on the television monitors as the race is run, has been installed. However this is in its trial stages and should be put into use in a couple of weeks. The weight of the horse in comparison to its previous weight is being displayed during every race.
