Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2018 Race No 155
Star Superior trained by Rajesh Narredu with Suraj Narredu up wins The Deccan Derby Gr-1 2018 at The Hyderabad Race Club
The atmosphere was electric and the crowds thronged the Hyderabad racecourse for their biggest event of the season, the Deccan Derby (Gr1). Traditionally held on the 2nd of October each year, a national holiday in fond memory of the occasion of the Mahatma’s birth anniversary, the huge holiday crowd was treated to some exciting races and thrilling finishes showcasing Hyderabad races in all its splendour. The feature race of the day saw hot favourite Star Superior (Excellent Art – Ramjet, Poonawalla Stud) emerging supreme to bag the coveted trophy for joint owners Dr Cyrus and Zavaray Poonawalla, Rajesh Narredu and Mr Sanjay Kumar Shinde.
Jockey Suraj Narredu bravely hit the front soon on start making his own pace and leading the field of four all through. Star Superior led comfortably with My Opinion in second, Corfe Castle followed this pair with Evon Von Brando at the tail end, this order of running never changed and that’s the line in which they finished as well.
Star Superior entered the straight with a handy lead and just when it looked he would have it easy all the way, jockey Akshay Kumar atop My Opinion drew a bit closer to Star Superior. Akshay Kumar has been the darling of the crowd particularly this season due to his high strike rate and impeccable riding. So when it looked like My Opinion was gearing up for a fight, the roar from the stand rose to high decibels, particularly when Star Superior started to drift out a tad under pressure. However, My Opinion flattered to deceive as he too veered out considerably making it a lot easier for Star Superior to skip away and bag the prestigious race. It was ‘mission accomplished’ for the connections of Star Superior having bagged both the Hyderabad Classics, the Deccan Colts’ and the Derby.
