Jockey Suraj Narredu drove out Hurricane with all the resources at his command and his persevering effort ensured the victory of Prasad Raju trainee who managed to edge out Doing My Best and late finishing Bold Blast close home to clinch the S Ramakrishnaraju Memorial Cup, a Category I race which was one of the highlights of concluding day`s Hyderabad Winter Season held on Wednesday.

Both Prasad Raju and Leo D`Silva were fighting hard for the championship till Suraj wrested the point which decisively swung the championship stakes in favour of the former. Though Leo D`Silva had two fancied runners in the next few races, his poor run of luck continued to haunt him as both Canopus who was a firm favourite and Scubarioo ended up second best. Leo has had the frustration of seeing more than 40 of horses finish second best during the season. The winter season has always favoured Prasad Raju and yet again he emerged as the champion with just one point lead. Jockey Imran Khan on the other had a clear lead over Harish while among apprentices, Nitin Singh who had a dream season, was a runaway winner.
Hurricane Bay was backed down spiritedly to record an encore and the progeny of Young Senor picked up speed in the final furlong to get the better of Doing My Best who had shaped to cause a big upset. Bold Blast was also covering up the leeway significantly but the winning post settled the issue in favour of Hurricane Bay as a few strides latter, he too might have been overhauled. Adamant Approach led the field into the straight but his spark was missing as he weakened at the final turn, allowing his stablemate Doing My Best, a free run in the front. Doing My Best opened up a useful lead of over three lengths even as Hurricane Bay was put in top gear to cover the considerable leeway on the front-runner. Doing My Best slackened in the shadow of the post and was passed by the eventual winner in the closing strides of the race. Bold Blast came up with a big run but by the time he run could assumed threatening proportions, the post had been reached by the Prasad Raju trainee.

The Gr 3 Alcock Arabian Stakes saw Vendetta and Siph Salar getting backed to the exclusion of the rest. However, the son of Exceed And Excel who was a leading freshman sire at Australian a few years back, Sipah Salar was withdrawn at the gate as something was amiss with him. This resulted in Vendetta running at very cramped odds. Vendetta was taken on a start to finish mission by jockey Imran Khan and the progeny of Valid Concept checked in well clear of Scubarioo who failed to make any impression on the front runner. Ruby Crown ran on to be third.

Canopus was the betting rage in the Bonzer Cup and if this horse had managed to win, then the trainers championship would have been shared. However, Canopus who took charge of the proceedings about two furlongs from the start had a useful lead over the rest in the straight but he did not appear to be in great shape as he led by sufferance. Apprentice B Mukesh whipped the horse excessively in desperation but all that he could achieve was to retain the runner up berth as rank outsider Adorna came from way behind to win with something to spare. Flaming Ruby edged out fancied stablemate Citi Dancer for the third slot.

Blue Magic opened as favourite for the Universal Star Plate but there were confusing signals as stablemate Star Favours came in for spirited support. But in the event, Blue Magic raced keen at the top of the pack and then kicked clear in the final furlong to win as she pleased. Star Favours did not have a great start and loitered in the sixth or seventh position, taking some smart money down the drain. Festivals of India and Autumn Gold occupied the next two slots more on sufferance.

Leo D`Silva trained Chesapeake readily obliged as favouritism in the 1400 metres Fire Dance Plate. After tracking Archon into the straight, Chesapeake went sailing clear inside the final two furlongs and comfortably held off the challenge of Kohinoor Delight who was making a late rally.

Ultra Violet Ray made the entire running and hoped to keep his pursuer Sprucespringstein at bay in the 1800 metres Coin of Silver Plate (Div I). However, the latter got strong close home to prevail in a close finish. Hyper Kinetic came through with a tremendous burst of speed in the final 300 metres to join issue with Dash on Regardless in the lower division of the race. After an exciting tussle for supremacy, Hyper Kinetic got better close home to land the spoils. Maximum City who had four wins in a row to back his credentials, made no show.

Pygmalion led the field in the 1200 metres Donegal Plate, chased by Kansas City Mac and the order the same till the final furlong when Queen of Sheeba and Splendid Act came into contention, leaving the front-running duo behind. Queen of Sheeba held the lead from Splendid Act till the closing stride of the race but the latter managed to get the verdict in the dying moments of the race. Kansas City Mac finished on strongly and wrested the third slot to save place money for his backers.