K.V. Srinivas-trained Surya Lakshmi (Burden Of Proof-Indian Endeavour) lifted the VIF Godolphin Barb Million (Grade III), in an emphatic fashion. Surya Lakshmi had won on debut and was withdrawn in her subsequent effort as she was found to be suffering from fever. Recovering from her illness, she finished third to the in-form Windsor Manor just a month ago. Trainer Srinivas confided that he needed a good pair of hands that could settle the filly well in the early part of the race and not let her bolt in front. P.B. Beggy was chosen for the job and the Irishman gave a splendid ride.

Surya Lakshmi settled behind Bright Spectrum during the early part and as they started to take the final bend, the daughter of Burden Of Proof showed splendid turn of foot to cruise ahead, leaving the rest cold. The favourite Vijayshaurya finished second, eight lengths adrift. In a chat with Indiarace, Jockey P.B. Beggy said that the filly moved like a bomb when asked for acceleration and she definitely has a bright future. K.S.V. Prasad Raju’s Kohinoor Wish (Gaswar-Blue Sonata) won the H.P. Mistry Memorial Cup, a race for horses in the highest category. Kohinoor Wish improved to be third at the final bend and with a good gallop surged ahead opening a lead of about four lengths from the rest. The eleven-year-old Coral Gables gave Kohinoor Wish a run for the money, improving from the rear to bridge the gap at a fast pace.

Imran Khan had to ride out Kohinoor Wish to survive Coral Gables’ onslaught by three parts of a length. Multiple wins on a day has become a habit for jockey P.S. Chouhan, who took his individual tally to 61 with a treble but trainer M.V. Narayana Rao’s three wins was the talk of the day. Toli Toli Toli, Oru Oru Oru and Carson Troy were the victors from the stable. The first and last named were ridden by apprentice G. Sai Vamshi while the other by P.S. Chouhan. Toli Toli Toli (Mid Town-Big And Blonde) flew from the rear, covering plenty of ground to lift the lower division of The Chaitanya Chakram Plate. Anacostia led till beaten by the winner while Grande Comore took the third spot, chasing the runner-up throughout the straight. Girnar was very feebly handled by the rider and his fourth should be taken with a pinch of salt. An eye on this Sathyanarayana’s ward should be fruitful early.

Oru Oru Oru (Rebuttal-Belinda) took charge at 250 metres and romped home in the higher division. Refinement got into a good gallop in the last furlong but the winner was too hot to handle and settled for the runner-up berth. Kohinoor Glory and Caladium were fighting for supremacy in the final furlong of the Rayalaseema Cup. Royal Sword and Carson Troy were picking up speed very fast, with apprentice Sai Vamshi having to pull out Carson Troy to give him a free run. Once shown the daylights, Carson Troy (Hymn–Apache Star) galloped resolutely to win while Royal Sword towed in to take the second spot. Kohinoor Glory and Caladium filled the frame. Retro Magic was withdrawn before the race. P.S. Chouhan rode Chal Bhai Chal (Greensmith-Racing Dream) to a fine win in the opener, the Red Rufus Plate.

Chal Bhai Chal forced his way in-between Art Connoisseur and Devil’s Advocate as the field straightened up and shot ahead. Chemeli and Dazzling Act moved fast towards the closing stages to take the second and third places respectively ahead of Art Connoisseur. Chouhan rode Anupam Sharma’s Al-Jabal (Hammerstein-Classic Flight) to a popular victory, in the Silver Academy Plate, the concluding race of the day. Setting a fast pace from the start, Al Jabal won by a big margin of six lengths. Wining Rays came under pressure when asked for an effort and settled for the second place. This was Anupam’s second win of the day, having claimed the lower division of the Artillery Cup with Enchantment (Hammerstein-Queen Of Education).

Jockey Nitin Singh had Enchantment in front to make every post of the seven furlong trip a winning one, while Glorious Bay was in a futile chase. The higher division was won by rank-outsider Golden Tricks (Don Micheletto-Scholarship). The win turned out to be one of the biggest upsets of the season and the race being the first leg of the Jackpot Pool, the tickets came crashing down and eventually the pool went unsolved.