Neil Darashah trained Sun Divine fought out a resolute battle in the straight and successfully held off the late rally of favourite Desire to win the 1200 metres Governor`s Cup, a terms race for three year olds and upwards, the feature event of Sunday`s races held at Malakpet. Jockey Arshad Alam was quite forceful on the Bangalore challenger and his tactical excellence ensured that the second favourite would take home the rich prize and the prestigious cup.

Trainer Neil Darashah is one of the ambitious trainers at Bangalore. He doesn`t hesitate to race his awards outside the comfort of the home centre if he smells a chance. He has made successful foray in Hyderabad and this was the second time that Sun Divine had obliged his huge expectation. The six year old Sun Divine had won a sprint race on the monsoon track three years ago and came up with a repeat performance against one of the best four year old horses currently racing at this centre.

Trainer Srinivas Reddy is going great guns and enjoys the confidence of the punters as his horses always perform to their optimum capability. Desire had maintained her sublime form having notched up four wins in a row and was backed to the exclusion of the rest. She went to the post as odds on favourite while Sun Divine who was coming with the benefit of a hard fought win during the summer season at Bangalore was quoted at liberal odds.

C Eleven set a fast clip followed by Mysore challenger Cosmic Touch with Sun Divine settled in a handy third position ahead of Desire, Super Falcon, Vijay Viraaj and Gaarswood. Rounding the final turn, C Eleven showed no signs of weakening as she kept going strongly in front with Cosmic Touch losing pace. Arshad Alam rode Sun Divine forcefully to get the desired response as the six year old sun of Burden of Proof shot ahead inside the final furlong. Desire who was alerted to the task too picked up momentum. It was a battle royal between Sun Divine and Desire but the former who held the advantage going into the final furlong, held on gutsily to win by half a length. C Eleven stayed on to finish third ahead of Vijay Viraaj.

Prasad Raju trained Aventus had produced an eye-catching run in his last run and was well placed in scales to make an impact on the outcome of the 1600 metres Basalat Jah Memorial Cup, a Category I race. However, one of the best performed horses of the local circuit Machiavellianism was installed the favourite despite the weight of 63 kgs that he was assigned to carry in the hope that his class will overcome the handicap. In the event, though Machiavellianism produced a gallant effort, he could not catch Aventus who made merry in front and recorded a facile win. Sheer Genius did the pace setting with Aventus handily placed. Jockey N Rawal pushed Aventus to take charge on turning for home and the progeny of Ace quickened nicely to establish a good cushion. Machiavellianism was baulked for a clear run for a while and though he produced a strong gallop in the final furlong, the effort was bound to go in vain as Aventus had gone beyond reach. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan who once enjoyed glorious success is now a pale shadow of himself as repeated injuries owing to racing mishaps appears to have softened him as he is no longer riding with the same confidence that had taken him to the elite league. He appears to be struggling.

Satheesh trained Columbus produced a big upset in the 1600 metres Diablo Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. Masti with Chouhan astride was backed strongly to win but the favourite made no show. Masti shot into the lead soon after the field settled down for the mile long trip followed by Columbus and the rest. Masti raced flat coming into the straight and was easily overhauled by Columbus who stormed away from the field to win by a widening margin of four lengths over Silvassa who just about held off the late rally of Bellatrix for the runner up berth. Columbus returned a fancy dividend of more than 30 to 1 on the tote.

Sprint Legend received solid support to win the 1100 metres P G Reddy Memorial Cup (Div I), a Category II race. Rapidest set a fast pace with Sprint Legend in chase. The latter looked like he was cantering and he would easily overhaul the front runner. But under pressure he did not find an extra gear as he began to plod. Last start winner Rubyonrails showed up on the wide outside with a devastating effort and in no time established his supremacy well before the final furlong and had gone clear of the rest to record an emphatic win. Symbol of Glory rallied late to stave off Kohinoor Punch and Sprint Legend for the runner up berth. Favourite Numinous went on a start to finish mission in the lower division of the race and looked like a safe prospect going into the final furlong. However, Vista who was loitering in the rear, began to pick up speed and improved position along the rails with great alacrity and produced a powerful effort which took her past the front running favourite close home.

Satheesh trained Racing Ikon won the 1100 metres Starsky Plate, a Category III race, at lucrative odds. Racing Ikon chased front running Mount Titlis all the way in the straight before getting the better of the front runner in the shadow of the post. Favourite Bouquet appeared well poised to strike but under pressure began to struggle and ended up a tame third.

Favourite Meheran was ridden out fully to measure the front running City Tex to land the spoils in the 2000 metres Con Amore Cup, a Category III race. City Tex appeared to have stolen a march on Meheran who had plenty of ground to cover in the final furlong but the favourite responded well and produced a strong effort in the nick of time to save the day for the backers of Laxman Singh trainee.

Srinivas Reddy trained Fabulous Jewel proved a cut above the rest in the 1400 metres Ongole Plate, a Category III race. Fabulous Jewel unleashed a terrific burst of speed down the final two furlongs and overhauled the front running Flower Drum with great ease, with jockey Dashrath Singh not having to move a muscle. Fabulous Jewel thus completed an encore in great style, having the race sewn up long way from home. Tinsel Town ran on from behind to take the second spot.