Shashikanth trained NRI Doublepower received sustained support to land the spoils in the 1400 metres K Mahipathi Rao Memorial Golconda Juvenile Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Sunday’s Hyderabad races. The progeny of Gusto readily obliged such an expectation despite the scare of a poor start at the gates with a last-to-first effort in the hands of jockey Akshay Kumar. A number of rank outsiders ruled the roost causing a dent in punters’ fortunes.

NRI Doublepower had all the credentials to be a favourite having run about five lengths off Jamari in the Gr 1 Fillies Championship Stakes at Bangalore. That effort had come about despite being disadvantageously placed at the top of the straight. On the other hand, High Command who had imposing first-season credentials had flopped at Bangalore during the summer season and had a lot to catch up on the eventual winner. Long Lease had won two back-to-back races against modest opposition while She Can who had won twice during the summer season had her share of supporters.

NRI Doublepower did not get a good start but Akshay Kumar did not panic as he steadily improved the position of the favourite and was in a handy striking position approaching the final bend. NRI Doublepower circled around the field and midway through the straight, had taken command over the race. High Command ran on strongly to take the second position ahead of a well-beaten Long Lease while She Can ran below expectations.

Prasad Raju trained Commanding Knight had pulled off a last stride win last time out and this time out, was confidently backed to record an encore in the 1200 metres hyderabadraces.com Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Commanding Knight was at the rear of the field at the final turn, but under a vigorous ride by jockey Sai Kumar, covered a lot of ground and asserted his supremacy over Avancia in the final stages of the race. Stoic Hero too ran on strongly in the homestretch to save place money.

Trainer Satheesh has been striking it rich this season and most of his horses winning at long odds so much so that the punters rarely get a chance to back these horses. Team Player was one such horse to oblige at odds of over 15 to 1. In what appeared an open type of betting race, the fancied Despang narrowly failed to collar the winner. Team Player was taken on a start-to-mission by apprentice jockey Md Ekram Alam. The front-runner desperately clung to the lead to win by a dwindling margin of half a length. Miss Marvellous too showed some resolution when finishing a close third. The lower division of the race went the way of favourite Painted Apache from the stables of trainer Vittal Deshmukh. Painted Apache who had the benefit of a race run, was brought into contention with a well-timed run by jockey Trevor Patel. The progeny of Ampere had no problem in covering the leeway and then take charge down the final furlong for an easy win over Wallop And Gallop. Sun Dancer necked out the front-running Thanks to save place money.

Laxman Singh trained Indian Sniper had run a noteworthy second behind Golden Glow at Bangalore. In the fitness that he was in, he towered over the opposition that lined up for the 1100 metres Malakpet Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Indian Sniper who raced a handy second into the straight as Shadow Fax set the pace, quickly asserted his supremacy in the homestretch, winning the race by a widening margin of three lengths over Morning Mist and Only The Brave who disputed for minor positions.

Star Medal was another upset winner saddled by trainer Satheesh. Star Medal held off favourite Miracle Mary in a thrilling finish to win the 1400 metres Salar Jung Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Miracle Mary did not get a good start and was shuffled back to the rear in the early part of the race. Though Miracle Mary covered ground and shaped to collar the front-running Star Medal, the latter fought off gutsily to ward off the favourite who was a good thing beat. Life Is Good ran on strongly to finish third.

Both the divisions of the Fairway Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, were won by long shots much to the chagrin of punters. Prasad Raju trained Cabello swooped on the front runners with a decisive run down the final furlong to get past the battling duo of Exclusive Luck and Sopranos. The last named was the favourite and had all the chances but failed to produce that bit extra in the closing stages of the race. Exclusive Luck was hampered between Cabello and Sopranos and could not make an aggressive dash to the post. Jockey Ismail put an objection against apprentice Ajay Kumar who rode the winner for interference but the same was overruled. Satheesh trained Plethora was the third long shot saddled by trainer Satheesh. Favourite Its On appeared to be on course despite veering out of a straight course in the final stages of the race but this waywardness went against the horse as Plethora finished powerfully on the wide outside to snatch the victory in the concluding stride of the race. Jockey Dhanu Singh Deora may have been caught by surprise by apprentice R S Jodha.