Rashid Byramji trained Appeaser who had shown a marked improvement since winning the Golconda Derby and Madhu Mangalorkar’s Hello Brother whose best runs had been over staying trips and Perceived Value were more favoured than the rest to win. The early pace of the race was slow, with the momentum picking up only in the last 600 metres. With most jockeys electing to keep their wards in the rear, Stone Ridge and Astromer had their moment in the sun till the last 600 metres at which time Alameda sneaked ahead. With the field packed at the bend, it was clear that those who had made the mistake of keeping their wards too far behind, were going to pay dearly for their error of pace judgment. And it proved so as Endorsement who was racing a handy fourth, got a dream opening along the rails, and shot clear to win in the hands off Ruzzan, to win with a measure of comfort. Alameda kicked on to take the second spot from a late-finishing Appeaser who moved from the last position, covered lot of leeway and finished third, a poor consolation indeed. Satish Narredu on Hello Brother had to force his way through to get his mount out of the packed field, had to be content finishing fourth when the runner-up berth would at least have been a realistic target considering the fact that everything worked to the advantage of the eventual winner.

It is possible that the big field of 15 runners worked on the minds of these seasoned jockeys who seemed keener on keeping out of trouble. Narredu said that jockey Rajesh on Al Dente kept him on the inside despite calling out for close to two furlongs and finally he had to force his way by pushing him out. Narredu was fined Rs 3,000 for causing interference to Chevalier and Al Dente.

For owners Dilip Jangiani and Sunil Jangiani, this was their first big win and it was natural that they were elated at the success. ``I am beginning to enjoy racing my wards in Bangalore,’’ said Dilip.

Perceived Value who looked gross in the paddock, should strip fit after this run and she should be a live force in the St Leger. Appeaser appears to have bridged the leeway that existed prior to the season as Perceived Value had thrashed the latter by a distance in the Indian St Leger. Hello Brother, who is a stout stayer, will relish the extended trip.

Trainer V V Abdullah who was going through a bad patch, had a double, the first of which was a well brought out coup. Rock Party who looked a cut above the rest in the Pune Plate (Div I) was assigned Narendra, disguising the intentions of the connections, as the jockey had not won a single race. Rock Party was slammed in the ring at a lucrative price and the Excalibur’s Lake progeny who was taken on a start to finish mission, just about held on from a late-finishing Guide. Kool Kruiser who lost some ground at the finish, could have troubled the winner had it not been for the tardy start. Favourite Believe made no show. Incidentally, the favourites for both the divisions were Sydney Moses trained horses. In the lower division, Sydney Moses trained Sinatra was backed to the exclusion of his rivals as if his defeat was out of question. The punters paid dearly for their folly, as the favourite who was slowly off, did not improve a wee bit and finished where he had begun. Silver Spring, who cut an erratic course in the run in for home, was shifted in from outside and the Cassis progeny shot through along the rails to bring off a big upset. Lake Baikal staved off Royal Satsuma for the runner-up berth.

The other win for Abdullah came in the R Shamlan Memorial Plate (Div II) where lesser fancied Trivia, in the hands of veteran Shafiq, produced a sparkling run to contain the challenge of Our Ambition. Fancied Sher Khan and Blushing Heart put up a doleful performance. In the upper division, favourite Dee Emm bolted before being stalled and was withdrawn from the fray. With Golden Estate too having expended his energies by similar antics, Acceptor became a favourite by default. The Razeen progeny won at the expense of Carnival Craze, with Silvano who did the front-running job, packing up inside the final 350 metres.

The Stewards, who had opened an enquiry into the poor running of Silvano, closed the same after this run of Irfan Ghatala ward as the trainer could establish consistency in its inconsistency! One good run followed by a bad run. After the poor performance of Silvano as a fancied runner, the Excalicubr’s Lake progeny had showed out in the company of top class horses in a mock race and he let down all over again. One has to accept the argument of the trainer who has put forth his reasoning logically. But what begs to be answered is this: The trainer is convinced that Silvano is ungenuine. It has given him headaches and heartaches to the punters. Then why is he not discarding such a troublesome horse?

Ponnappa trained Saujas who has been pretty consistent, recorded a long overdue win when he moved from the rear to overhaul the front-runners with ease. Favourite Priceless Ally and fancied Rumplestiltskin flattered to deceive. The run of Akasaka was noteworthy.

Ganapathy’s Touch of Silver was backed to the exclusion of her rivals and the daughter of Serious Spender who got stronger at the finish, shot past the front-running Street Smart to win as she pleased. Top-weighted Prowl warmed up late to miss the runner-up spot narrowly. Sriram Komandur who saddled Street Smart, however, had led in a winner earlier in the day, when lesser-fancied Pristine Beauty had won the Young Rajput Plate (Div I) from Swinging Conquest and Little Genny. The fancied pair of St Lucinda and Different Ballgame was not sighted. In the lower division, Darashah’s Native Red settled the issue at the top of the straight itself, going clear to win by a distance. Abroach was a suggestive second. Hyderabad’s French Gandolier who came in for money, shot his bolt well before the race took a serious turn.