Satheesh trained Akido who had a strong rider in the form of jockey Akshay Kumar lived up to expectations while claiming the 1800 metres Belmont Prince Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 85, the highest-rated event of the races held at Malakpet on Monday. With rains rendering the track soft, horses that had a liking for the soft going were prominent. The day’s races though went according to the form book.

Akido had won the Ooty 2000 Guineas at Chennai two years ago and after that, his performance had been indifferent. However, during the last winter season, he performed consistently whenever he had jockeys of better calibre riding him. After recording back-to-back wins in the winter season, he had the benefit of a race run during this season. With Akshay Kumar to guide his fortunes, he was a strong fancy to win the race. NRI Superpower, though, was more supported in the betting ring. Akshay Kumar had to get busy on Akido well before the final turn and his persevering efforts ensured that the fancied runner stayed in touch with the pace-setters. Akido quickly assumed command after entering the homestretch and had enough cushion when Morior Invictus came home with a big effort from way off the pace. The long-time pacesetter Yesterday weakened to finish third. NRI Superpower was not sighted at the busy end.

Trainer Satheesh has made a habit of pulling off nasty surprises as time and again, the least fancied of his horses spoils the party. So, it was in the 1400 metres Bhongir Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Honey Girl was withdrawn on veterinary grounds resulting in the odds of Anab E Shahi crashing. However, the odds once again went up as money came pouring on Satheesh trained Grand Duke who hadn’t won for 553 days. Mr Perfect took charge within the first furlong with Anab E Shahi easing in about the fourth position. The favourite got a good opening along the rails as the horses took the final turn but Anae E Shahi appeared to be hopelessly one-paced and began to plod in the same position. Satheesh trained Exponent who went to the post at long odds picked up speed and sailed ahead in the final furlong to win with a measure of comfort from Anab E Shahi who failed to gather steam and looked a beaten cause all the way in the straight. Mr Perfect stayed put to finish third. Grand Duke who received huge support in the betting ring was not spotted. Incidentally, jockey Surya Prakash who had ridden Exponent on the last occasion, had been pulled by the Stipes for not being vigorous. Exponent hadn’t won a race for 756 days and this was the second win from 32 outings!

Ananth Vatsalya trained D Right Time was an eye-catching second last time out and he was expected to go one better in the 1200 metres Northern Dancer Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. His task became easier when Veneno was withdrawn on veterinary grounds. At the gate, two more horses, Santa Barbara and Silver Act were withdrawn because they were fractious. D Right Time went to the post at cramped odds and the returns on him were further reduced due to late withdrawals at the gate. In the race itself, D Right Time had no problem winning by a widening margin of five lengths over That’s My Love. Great Combo managed to pinch the third slot from Mix The Magic. Akshay Kumar’s tactical acumen helped lesser fancied Colt Pistol to win the lower division of the race. Colt Pistol seized the initiative by the final furlong and had a winnable lead when Fly Me made a late charge on the wide outside. Colt Pistol comfortably held off the challenge of the long shot. Calisson who led from the start managed to clinch the third spot from Bold Beauty. Deccan Spirit who received one-sided support was not spotted to have any chance during the race.

Akshay Kumar hugely contributed to the success of Srinivas Reddy trained Siddharth in the 1400 metres B Marideshwara Rao Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Siddarth who had the lead going into the final furlong was strongly challenged by Strauss who moved with raking strides from way off the pace and looked like sailing clear. However, favourite Siddharth fought back resolutely and the two fought all the way in the final 100 metres. Akshay Kumar’s power-packed riding ensured that Siddharth put his head in front at the all-important end. NRI Sport was third. Laxman Singh’s Barbet came in for big support but was a big letdown.

Ananth Vatsalya trained. Sweet Dancer was strongly backed to oblige in the 1100 metres Hyperion Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. There was quiet support for Prasad Raju trained Splendour On Grass to have a strong say at the finish. Sweet Dancer led in earnest but in the final furlong, Splendour On Grass came home with a powerful run which floored the front-runner. Divine Connection who raced up with Sweet Dancer for most part of the race, weakened to finish third.

Laxman Singh’s heavily backed have been a letdown on many occasions. However, Baisa did not belong to this category as the five-year-old mare bolted home in the hands of jockey Trevor Patel to win the 1200 metres Hidden Bloom Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. From the wide outside draw, Baisa had the speed to take charge from the beginning and checked in by a widening margin of four lengths. Cabello and See My Spark, both at long odds, occupied the next two slots behind the winner. Laurus who was in considerable betting made no show.