Malesh Narredu trained Godspeed lived up to the expectations of being a horse of classic potential when she claimed the Gr 3 Deccan Bookmakers Fillies Championship, the first classic of the season at Malakpet on Monday. Suraj Narredu who was back from Macau to guide the talented daughter of Multidimensional rode a tactical race, dictating a slow pace and then driving out the filly to stave off the persevering Culebra.

With local sentiments being strong on the possibility of local contenders Supreme Fairy and Culebra capable of winning, the odds on the experienced Godspeed who had last won a graded race over a mile at Bangalore during the summer season were lucrative to say the least. Suraj Narredu took Godspeed on a start to finish mission which is how she has won on all three occasions. Luckily for Suraj, there was none to contest the lead as the rest preferred to keep their races behind which made it easy for the jockey to dictate the pace that suited him fine. However, Godspeed who races like a horse who would relish a longer trip would have been adversely affected if there were more experienced horses in the fray.

Rani, Zenofic, Supreme Fairy, Desire, Connemara, Feliciana and Culebra raced behind the front running favourite. At the top of the straight, Supreme Fairy showed up prominently but did not display the speed that was associated with her and fell behind. Srinath in the meanwhile had worked Culebra through the shortest home along the rails and had the daughter of Phoenix Tower come up with a mincing run. Feliciana showed up on the wide outside. Into the final furlong, Godspeed had a good break which held her in good stead as Culebra closed up the gap but fell short by a shade less than length at the finish. Feliciana ran on to finish third ahead of Supreme Fairy who disappointed with a timid performance.

Anant Vatsalya trained Kohinoor Wish bounced back with a thrilling win in the 1200 metres Original Vel Mrs Radha Balasubramani Gold Cup, a Category I race. The veteran seven year old who has been a prolific performer, having won 19 races, had gone winless for 344 days. The winning experience of Kohinoor Wish stood him in good stead as jockey John improved places from the penultimate position and went for a narrow gap along the rails. Most horses would have shied away in such situations but the veteran gustily went through and just about managed to pull it off from favourite Magical Spell who finished with a powerful run. Secret Angel who led till the race took a dramatic twist finished third while Odalis who raced upfront had to settle for the fourth slot.

Gentle Chief whose chances were not considered good in the betting ring brought off an upset in the 1400 metres Scenic Royale Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. Pour Vous went on an end to end mission but in the final furlong, Gentle Chief began to gain strong momentum and managed to overhaul the front runner in the shadow of the winning post. Favourite Vijay Viashnavee finished third without ever giving hopes of justifying the favouritism. Possibly the filly can make amends if given a longer trip to tackle.

Satheesh trained Modern Sniper justified the favouritism in the 1200 metres A Krishnaswami Memorial Cup, a Category III race with a start to finish dash. Modern Sniper won uncontested though the late charge by Montauk added an element of excitement to the race. Make Your Day had all the chances but could not quicken enough in the final furlong and settled for third position.

Favourite Rosemonde came under intense pressure in the final furlong of the 1200 metres Raja Saheb of Itkyal Memorial Cup, a Category III race but pulled out that bit extra to skip away from Green Jewel who came menacingly close at one stage. Rosemonde thus completed an encore while Altruist who led the field before weakening stayed on to finish third.

Prasad Raju trained four year old filly Rock Heights who was backed confidently to win the 1100 metres Ongole Plate (Div I) despite being a maiden even after running 24 times just about managed to pull it off from Nano Dame and Sterling Finish. Horses with modest credentials also get good chances to win races on the local circuit but the fact that the filly went without winless for so long was surprising. Rock Heights led all the way and held off the challenge of Nano Dame who stayed glued to the rails but produced a good burst when pulled out and given a free run. Sterling Finish was a suggestive third.

Favourite Stolen Date put up a strong challenge inside the final 200 metres and got the better of front running Citi Supreme to win the 1400 metres Delage Plate, a Category III race. Novaya Zemlya flew home and snatched the runner up berth from Citi Supreme by a whisker.