Jockey S John landed himself in hot waters when he eased up the well backed second favourite Kohinoor Thunder to eventually finish last in the 1600 metres Cabaret Plate, a Category III races at the races held at Malakpet on Monday. After chasing the eventual winner Vijays Victory for a furlong, John on Kohinoor Thunder gradually fell back as he looked behind and stopped riding. Kohinoor Thunder dropped back to the last position and was on hack canter when passing the winning post a few seconds after the other horses in the fray had passed the winning post.

The Stipendiary Stewards questioned John as to why he eased up the horse. The jockey reportedly stated that the horse almost came down on his knees and he felt that something was wrong with the horse and took action to prevent any untoward incident. The Stipes were not satisfied with the explanation offered by the jockey as they did not find anything pointing to his factor in the video scrutiny. After the completion of races they asked jockey Ravinder Singh to give a strong gallop to the horse and Kohinoor Thunder came back sound. The Stipes have reported John to the Stewards and the matter will be heard next week. John has landed himself in a problem if the Stewards were to view his action seriously and don`t accept the justification given by the professional. For the record, Vijays Victory won untroubled by a widening margin of six lengths over Silver Cruise and Khalis Gold.

Leo D`Silva trained Golden Essence was in receipt of some strong support in the 1400 metres Mir Fazilath Hussain Memorial Cup (Div I), a Category II race. Golden Essence was kept a handy third as another market fancy Dads Dollar raced upfront. Golden Essence was asked to quicken at the top of the straight and the three year old colt readily responded by storming clear to win by over three lengths. Dads Dollar stayed to finish second ahead of Aware. Laxman Singh`s Ivanova improved places on the wide outside and was set alight by apprentice jockey Tanwar inside the final two furlongs. Ivanova quickened well and opened up a winning lead which helped the filly to keep at bay Amazing Approach who tried to make a spirited run from way off the pace but was found wanting in the lower division of the race. Amazing Approach had earlier won over a scurry and one could not understand why the jockey failed to get a favourable position early on as the horse was not short on initial speed as shown in the earlier runs.

Anupam Sharma trained Military Belle continued her good form when claiming the 1100 metres Soviet Star Plate, a Category III race with great ease from stablemate Amazing Weapon and True Scholar. Favourite Ein Ein Ein jumped out without his jockey John. Amazing Weapon led on sufferance till entering the straight before Military Belle asserted her supremacy.

Faiyaz Shaikh trained Marquise proved vastly superior in the 1000 metres Elusive Hero Plate (Div I), a Category II race. Despite coming off the rails and racing on the wide outside and looking vulnerable, Marquise produced that bit extra and held on to stave off the strong challenge of Komo Komo Komo. Yours Truly was not far behind. Satyanarayana`s Street Magic pulled off an improbable win in the lower division of the race. The well performed Street Magic had been getting left from the gates of late and this had hurt his chances. The horse was showing spark in workouts which was perhaps why the five year olds was well backed despite this negative trait. Street Magic yet again was lethargic and looked a last cause but once he caught up with the field by the final bend, he began to accelerate and appeared to have a slim chance going into the final furlong. He came up with a sparkling acceleration in the dying moments of the race to put his head in front at the post ahead of Homely Helo, Drum Beat and Big Boss in a very tight finish.

Srinivas Reddy trained Rock Baby Rock had no problem in disposing of the front running Golden Angel to win the 1000 metres Time And Place Plate, a race for two year olds. Golden Angel put up resistance till the final furlong before the favourite left her cold. Tokyo Bloom came up with a late flourish to claim the runner up berth from the long time front runner.

Torremolinos recorded an impressive win in the 1200 metres Bakranangal Plate, Category III race. Favourite Blue Eyed Babe was flat footed when Torremolinos essayed a strong challenge inside the final 300 metres. Torremolinos passed the front runner with ease and was stretching away splendidly while crossing the post. Blue Eyed Babe held off Always Together for the runner up berth.

Faisal Hassan`s Khoshgel looked a cut above the rest in the 1400 metres Rishi Konda Cup, a Category III race as she trounced the opposition. Favourite Crown Royal who went on a start to finish mission, shortened her strides in the final furlong as Khoshgel went away for a win by a margin of seven lengths. Crown Royal retained the runner up berth by a whisker from Upon A Star.