Laxman Singh trained Tejaswini who had been a prolific performer in winter, regained the winning touch while claiming the 1200 S Malakonda Reddy Memorial Cup, a Category II race, the highlight of races held at Malakpet on Friday. For the second day running, the day’s races were marked by the domination of favourites, some of them at unbackable odds.

Tejaswini’s big loss in winter season had come after four consecutive wins when the trainer ambitiously switched her to a distance of nine furlongs on the Invitation Cup weekend race day. The four year old filly was not up to making the transition after showing her domination over shorter sprints and finished dismally, 29 lengths from the Bangalore based winner Mannat. Now back to a sprint where she had excelled, Tejaswini was at short price. Jockey Deep Shankar had Tejaswini racing in about the fourth position, unhurried by the pace set in front by Fair And Square and steadily improved position in the final two furlongs. The daughter of Princely Heir left the field standing in the final furlong to record an emphatic win. Flying Spurt came from a long way back to edge out long time leader Fair And Square to take the runner up berth.

Vittal Deshmukh trained Decathlon hadn’t achieved the kind of heights that his debut at Pune where he had beaten the likes of Marinsky who went on to win multiple classics had promised. Now running against modest opposition in the S Malakonda Memorial Cup (Div I), a Category II race, Decathlon appeared immensely superior. He cantered home for a win by a widening margin of five lengths. The only point of interest was the fight for minor placings where three horses finished in a line. Beau Ideal, Over Shadow and Golden Arrow finished with a short head and neck separating these three horses in the order mentioned. Lesser fancied Greek Star shot into the lead along the rails and skipped away from the rest to record an easy win in the lower division of the race. Favourite Staying the Best couldn’t bridge the leeway established by the eventual winner. Two jockeys came a cropper in the race.

Anupam Sharma trained Brahmani proved vastly superior to the field in the 1400 metres Sri S Ramakrishnam Raju Memorial Cup (Div I), a Category II race. Apprentice jockey Mukesh Kumar kept Brahmani way off the pace but that was not a hindrance for the progeny of Hymn who covered the leeway quickly in the straight and was a hailed a winner well before the final furlong. Power Drive who held fort till then stayed on to take the second spot ahead of Black Bolt who faltered after a brilliant winter season. Imran Chisty, who had a treble for the day, drove out Azaiba to win the lower division of the race. After traveling half the distance, Azaiba rolled over to the rails causing Suraj on Palm Sprigs to check his horse and change course. Azaiba went ahead and held off the strong rally of Palm Springs. Suraj raised an objection against Chisty for interference. There was substance in the objection but since Palm Springs had all opportunity in the straight to overhaul the front runner, the Stewards decided to overrule the objection as the interference made no material difference. Favourite Racing Ahead put up a poor show.

Srinivas Reddy trained Olympus was at a cramped price in the 1000 metres Rani Laxmi Bai Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. However, Olympus did win in the manner the price suggested. Chisty had to work hard on the favourite to get him past the front running Fruit Roll Up which he did inside the final furlong. Olympus then quickened well and won from late rallying Golden Storm.

Chisty was also successful on another short priced horse Catherine who made mincemeat of the opposition in the 1000 metres Cupid Plate, a Category III race. Rock Heights got the second slot ahead of Lips Locking and Goldie in a three way tight finish.

Leo D’Silva trained Camborne proved his superiority with a start to finish mission in the 1100 metres Aristocracy Cup, a Category III race. Camborne had the field stranded well before the final furlong as he won with ease from favourite Panachecorn.

Anant Vatsalya opened his account with Golden Dash who had no problem in getting the better of favourite Ponte Verdi in the 1200 metres Sunny Blossom Plate, a Category III race. Golden Dash produced a sparkling run coming into the final furlong and stormed clear. Enigma beat Asta La Vista Babe to the third spot.