"Yes, I had butterflies in my stomach,” admitted Apprentice jockey Prabhu Naidu to Indiarace after returning triumphant from the first mount of his life! “I was keen to make a start in my career as a jockey and the night before I was too excited to sleep well. I kept thinking about the big moment in my life. When I left the paddock, I was trying to remain calm but as the gates flung open, I managed to remain focused on the task ahead. I remembered sir (trainer Narendra Lagad) telling me to hit the front. I shot out of the gates and pushed for the lead, the inside draw helped. Once in the lead, I settled my charge and in the straight, gave it my all. With the winning post in sight, I heard others closing in and pushed harder. I felt I had won the race but while returning I could hear people saying that I hadn’t. That set my heart thumping once again and the judge’s announcement came as a huge relief,” concluded the hero of the day.

Trainer Narendra Lagad was immensely satisfied that his apprentice had done a great job. “He did exactly what he was told to do. He followed my instructions to the T. Not many first timers can keep their nerves but this boy did not let the occasion faze him and handled the filly well. This victory will boost his confidence and do a lot of good to him. I am happy for the boy and wish him well for his future,” said Naren.

Alohamora (Black Cash – Angara) won warding off a late but strong challenge from both, Belligerent and Highland Music. Belligerent took too long to charge up while Highland Music was probably hampered due to his blinkers getting loose and flapping over his eyes at the crucial juncture. However, there is no doubt that young Prabhu Naidu gave it his best shot astride Alohamora and reaped rich dividends. Indiarace wishes the boy a bright future.

Yana (Razeen – Zaya) avenged her defeat to Antonios when they last met by etching out a magnificent victory in the Idar Gold Trophy (Gr 3), the feature of the day. Maseeha led the field of five striding ahead by over seven lengths followed by Nitrous. The saddle on Nitrous slipped during the race as a result jockey Neeraj Rawal was precariously perched but could not hold on all the way. He was dislodged in the straight but fortunately escaped unhurt. He is kept under observation though.

Yana stalked Antonios most of the way and at the turn was right on the haunches of Antonios. Maseeha loitered around with the duo until midway up the straight after which the pair drew away. Personified made little impression in the race. The duel began soon on entering the straight, Antonios was just ahead of Yana at the distance post but Yana got decisively stronger approaching the winning post and outpaced the Indian Derby winner in the final few strides. Jockey Srinath gestured triumphantly to the crowd as soon as the race was won.

Blue Danube (Diffident – Victory And Gold) won The Sakal Times Trophy assisted by some power packed riding from jockey M Narredu. Estevez hit the front early and had Phosphor for company till the turn. Blue Danube was next along with Pacemaker. Into the straight, Estevez pressed on ahead and soon was adding turf over Phosphor. Blue Danube was switched on the outside and started to chase down the leader. Estevez held on to the advantage until the final fifty which was when Blue Danube came by and sped past with a strong finish. Hymns To Freedom did well to come from behind and earn the place money clearly beating El Bunduq in the finish.

Malesh Narredu had, in the earlier race, scored a sensational victory after being at the tail end of the field in this six-furlong sprint. Ran Banka readily went to the front followed by Alaska, Centreofattention, and Chamberlain. Talk of the Town (Broto – Porsche Too) was dead last. Ran Banka led them in and had a handy lead as Alaska started to apply pressure. Talk of the Town poked through horses and made his way up between horses to join Alaska who was trying hard to shake off Ran Banka. Blue Ray meanwhile too slipped in though any narrow passage he found to be up with the leaders. Malesh, however, by then, had lit up Talk of the Town who galloped resolutely in the end to snatch a well-fought victory. Alaska stubbornly held on to finish second, while Blue Ray did a splendid job to run into place money.

Talk of the Town gave trainer Adil Daji his first double this season. Adil had earlier saddled Royal Hunter the winner of the first race of the day. Royal Hunter (Brave Hunter – Royal Standard), Classic Spirit and Easter Lily were closely followed in the betting trends. Easter Lily was the one to lead the seven with War Major, Classic Spirit, Romp Home and Royal Hunter following close behind. Royal Hunter took the shortest way into the straight and had no trouble in overhauling Easter Lily. In the final furlong, Royal Hunter bounded forward to notch up a facile victory implying that he is in fine shape and is capable of at least one more victory in his next outing. Easter Lily had met one better, while War Major came back to beat Classic Spirit for the third spot after the latter passed him midway in the straight.

River Blossom (China Visit – Austria) justified the cramped odds offered on her and won without raising any anxious moments whatsoever. Scenic Silver raced into the lead and River Blossom quickly moved behind with Lyrical Lass for company. The others were never in contention. At the turn, Scenic Silver simply failed to quicken and River Blossom did not wait to take charge. River Blossom led in the straight and looked a winner soon thereafter. Lyrical Lass tried hard to make a race of it but the favourite proved to be too good. River Blossom outclassed her rivals and clocked a brilliant timing (1:10.44) without being extended, indicating in no uncertain terms that trainer Sunderji had her in top condition for the race.

Dancing Glory flopped again and suffered his worst defeat yet this season. Sitting well up behind the front running Carlos, Dancing Glory’s essay petered out at the turn. He just could not find his feet and surrendered meekly to finish in the rut. Swahili shot ahead in the straight but was soon challenged by Saltoro. After a brief tussle, Saltoro surged ahead to post a comfortable victory. Chios was a faraway third.

Desert Dynamite (Storm Trooper – Iquique) put in a spirited gallop well into the straight to collar Manege a furlong or so from home. Manege shaped up well early in the straight but was clearly overwhelmed by the late dash of Desert Dynamite. Favourite Itspiritofracing never looked in the hunt and only managed to beat a retiring Brave Gun.

Notability opened the favourite then drifted out in the odds as Step By Step received strong support and was installed the new favourite. However, neither obliged and Musical Rhythm caused an upset in the concluding event of the day.

For the professionals, trainer Adil Daji and jockeys M Narredu and Imran Chisty scored a double each.