Cooji’s other candidate Aquilo had suffered the same fate as Velvet Rope when Simply Gorgeous (Steinbeck-Oiseau de Guerre) unleashed a resolute gallop on the middle of the track to collar Angel Star, who adopted runaway tactics and had all but succeeded till being overpowered by the Arti Doctor trained filly. The piping hot favourite Aquilo finish a tame third.
The earlier two events at the start of day also saw the downfall of favourites Adam’s Star and Glorious Spirit. Adam’s Star caught a tartar in Imtiaz Sait saddled Waves of Glory, who announced her return to form with a gallant performance. The four-year-old daughter of Placerville out of Louise a La Plage took charge of the running in the home stretch and a confident C. Rajendra kept her going to ward off the threat posed initially by Adam’s Star and Love And Joy later. The sheer determination of both Fire God (Tecorno-Goldilocks) and jockey S. N. Chavan proved to be a frustrating experience for favourite Glorious Spirit. At one stage Fire God had caved in to the onslaught of Glorious Spirit but the never-say-die spirit shown by the veteran Chavan injected resurgence in the Narendra Lagad trained gelding who fought back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Irishman Richard Hughes, who was flown in especially for Rafaga, gave an inspired ride to Dr Anil Kumar trained filly Lara Croft (Concordial-Maid of Vision) and his decision to avoid the inner stretch and make his move on the "safe" territory eventually paid handsome dividends. Lara Croft gathered steam in the final furlong to collar Freedom’s Choice and Zante, who were busy sorting out the issue till then. Adam’s Beauty and Money Star put up a disappointing show in not figuring on the judges’ board.
With K. P. G. Appu replacing Zameer Sayyed atop King of Hearts (Razeen-Vision of India) the positive intentions connections of the bay gelding were loud and clear for the betting fraternity. Backed down to the exclusion of his rivals, the Mansoor Shah trainee did not let his supporters down. King of Hearts produced a sparkling run to go surging clear of Inner Secret and Some Time. Fantastic Knight flattered to deceive in the straight and ended a poor fourth.
Although making a late debut nothing could stop Girl From Ascot (Alnasr Alwasheek-Ascot Lass) from making it a winning one. The Imtiaz Sait nursed four-year-old filly responded positively to C. Rajendra’s call and put in a late burst to win a narrow verdict ahead of Naval Academy, Belle Chose and Star Divine. The failures of Adam’s Star, Adam’s Beauty and Star Divine would’ve surely caused some harrowing moments for trainer Bezan Chenoy but the veteran had some succour in the form of Adam’s Bank (Placerville-Mary Bankes) as the curtains were being drawn. Apprentice R. K. Mahesh, who substituted Anil Baandal in the saddle astride Adam’s Bank, spurred the filly and put her into top gear as she lay at the wrong end of the field at the turn. Adam’s Bank accelerated nicely to be in strong contention but encountered stiff resistance from Divine Romance on her way to her maiden success. The runner-up showed her dislike for blinkers as she took a smart jump on this occasion after Magansingh Jodha chose to discard the equipment.
