The curtains came down on the winter season on Wednesday at Malakpet, with punters bearing the brunt of the extended race day which in hindsight appeared to have been framed to help bookmakers add icing on their cake. Form was erratic as has been the norm and rank outsiders ruled the roost. The season was marked by poor quality stiping and no action was forthcoming barring the ones handed out to a few jockeys for activities outside the track. It is time the authorities in Hyderabad took a hard look at the category system and revamp it to bring it with the mainstream. In the present system, erratic form and questionable reversal of form can be easily explained away as the authorities are willing to buy anything as long the racing activity is generating revenue to the coffers of the club. The welfare of the punters hasn`t been exactly a priority.

The capabilities of Al Jouf were certainly not evident in any of his runs during the season but suddenly he sprouted wings as it were as he left the field for dead from the word `go` to win the 1200 metres Grey Magic Plate (Div I). Al Jouf opened up a big lead so much so that at the top of the straight the rest of the runners could not sight the front runner. Essence came up with a late dash to finish ahead of Alukkhas while the well fancied Music Express was not in the hunt. Integer who had let down a number of times during the season, found her bearings in the lower division of the race as she easily staved off the challenge of front-running Walk In the Park close home.

English India ran like a scalded cat in front and very nearly pulled it off in the Divine Colours Plate (Div I) but another long shot Al Jameel weaved his way from way behind to get the nod in the closing stride of the race to bring off the biggest upset of the day. There was inspired betting on Ninja Power who from a higher quote closed at even money but in the race itself, after racing in the fifth position, the favourite shot his bolt and finished poorly. However, the lower division of the race went the way of the well backed Ruben Stein who after a dozen runs chose to put his best foot forward. The supporters of Ruben Stein lost hopes early on as he was sluggish at the start but the progeny of Razeen picked up steam at the final turn and won quite easily in the end from Storm Command who failed to sustain his challenge. Fancied Canadian Girl disappeared without a trace after being prominent till the top of the straight.

Hospitality was another who won at nourishing odds. After racing a handy third into the straight, Hospitality went sailing clear in the final furlong and held on to win from Sugar Lady who with a better quality ride, could have made a difference to the outcome of the race. Favourite Onera Onera Onera was never in the hunt.

Both the divisions of the Cape Town Plate, a race for maiden three year olds, went the way of favourites. Ananth Vatsalya trained Secret Asset had it easy in the upper division of the race while Firebird was not hard pressed to win in the lower division.

Garrison Chief won the Temple Quest Plate at fancy odds while another poor performer during the season, Kohinoor Magic, cantered home in the Oxide Plate to win at fancy odds. Apprentice Nitin Singh who rode Kohinoor Magic had a rewarding season as he completed riding 40 winners during the season as he another winner during the course of the day on Al Jouf to become a full jockey.

With the equine influenza keeping off the outside challengers from all the plums, the classics and other graded races were robbed off their competitive fervor.