Arizza, who has won twice during the season, went into the race as a cramped on-money favourite, with The Zamindar, his realistic challenger, at nourishing odds. Siberian set a fast pace and since the others were not inclined to chase him, it was clear that the front-runner would have his say till his reserves ran out. The Zamindar, who moved into a striking position at around the 800 metres marker, was put in top gear on turning for home by jockey David Badel even as Arizza was content to wait for her turn. This proved crucial in the end as The Zamindar, who had a good break, refused to give up. In the end, he spared two lengths at the finish to Arizza, with Mystic Heights taking the third slot.
Racing was lackluster on Friday and the only saving grace was the remarkable win recorded by Sriram Komandur trained Aura in the Savadatti Plate (Div I). The daughter of Tirol was backed spiritedly though Royal Assault, with a run benefit, too was expected to be in the thick of things. Aura did not take a good start from the gate, ran green, and was tending to run out approaching the final bend but showed striking acceleration to catch the front-running Royal Assault and record an impressive win. Aura is undoubtedly talented and should progress quickly on the handicap scale. Star Hopeful was there for an outing. There was a three-horse photo finish in the lower division, with Talk of the Devil showing that extra zip at the finish to win at the expense of Shining Gem and Cellisima.
Punters took a severe beating as horses on which they had no clue came and won. Springtide was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the 1200 metres Dharmasthala Plate but the favourite let down his supporters yet again. Gunmaster won at fancy odds from Braid Hills and Silver Cat. Beyond Limits won at the expense of fancied Kandalla in another upset of the day. Fancied Pine Forest was a disappointing fourth.
City of Angels was under pressure from the word `go’ and the favouritism on her was misplaced. Beauty Mission brought off a big upset despite veering out of a straight course and also hampering Baira to some extent in the process. The objection lodged by jockey Chandrashekar against Harish who rode the winner for taking him out in the final furlong was surprisingly upheld because in the past, such objections have been thrown out with minimum of fuss. The interference did not make a material difference and going by past precedent, the objection should have been overruled.
Parthenon, who was blazing the track, was a cut above the rest in the 1400 metres Gumbaz Cup. The son of Steinbeck led from the word `go’ and checked in a distance ahead of Sandokan who was content to take the runner up spot. In the day’s concluding race, Samyuktaa was backed spiritedly but the favourite was not sighted. One Touch Too Much won capably from a late-finishing Amber Prince.
