Jockey B Prakash rode a gem of a race astride the grey Bountiful Talent to lift the Colts Trial Stakes from Lycia Falcon while the favourite Agios Nikolaos was a poor fifth. A heavy shower prior to the day's first race had left monsoon track a trifle soft in the early part of the afternoon but as the day progressed, the water drained out and the track began to run true. The races were delayed by half-an-hour.

With none of the six runners in the Calcutta Colts Trial Stakes showing much eagerness to hit the front, Suraj Narredu astride Rutherford Alford-trained Lycia Falcon took his mount to the helm of affairs while Prakash gradually improved his mount from a lethargic fourth to a handy second. A battle royale ensued opposite the grandstand with the grey coming out on top by half a length. The 'Falcon' was however not disgraced and should be a different proposition next time out which is likely to be the Monsoon Derby on Sunday, October 5. Agios Nikolaos (China Vist-Allaire) is also likely to enjoy the extra distance.

In the earlier race, The Richie Rich Cup, Prakash had ridden another Daniel David ward to victory with great aplomb. The chestnut Dance Music was allowed to lie third while Secret Hero called the shots. After the turning for home, it was a different story as he made it a one horse race. The disappointment was the other fancied runner Obelinna.

The well-bred gelding from Pesi Shroff's yard, Arktouros (Diffident-Girl from Ipanaema) made mince-meat of his six rivals to bag the Schwarzenegger Cup. Though running with a fly-weight on his back, the three-year-old gelding looks to be another candidte for the Derby. Top-weight Echoes Of Light finished runner-up and may need more ground to give his best.

The afternoon commenced with a bang for trainer Javed Khan as he picked up both divisions of the Arezzo Handicap with Fast Love and Royal Ballerina. Aided by a mock race, Fast Love put his best foot forward to get the better of the pair of three-year-olds Super Flash and Aymaras. In the lower division, trainer Shafiq Khan's Lizzy Arden was bowling along merrily in front till the bend where she drifted out to the outer rails while apprentice Imran Khan used his 5kg allowance to good effect and urged his 'Ballerina' down the centre.

The heavily fancied Chardin in the Brush Aside Handicap found the speedy Beauty of Man too hot to handle. With this triumph, trainer Jasbir Singh opened his account at this centre. What was surprising was the earlier run of the same horse in a weaker field. Farley Rodrigues-trained Scorsese at last came good after knocking on the door for the entire winter season. He won the six-furlong sprint for the Pendragon Handicap from the favourite Disco Star while Lady Pepperoni was a fairly unimpressive third. The filly may have needed this run and may give a better account of herself next time out.

The curtain came down with the facile victory of recent western India import Black Dahlia, who made it a no contest in the hands of Christopher Alford.