El Paso returned home victorious, vanquishing the opposition, in the Sri Shamlal Gupta Memorial Cup, a race for horses in the highest category. El Paso rallied in about fifth position till the final bend and shot ahead to the front as they entered the straight, without any hitch, to win convincingly. At about 100 metres from home, Hurricane Bay was about four lengths adrift, with the rest struggling behind. Reconnect started to make his move six horses wide, covering ground quickly and was found to be finishing on, taking the runner-up berth. The Winter Derby winner, who had lost his shine during Monsoon, seems to be striking form and it would pay to follow him this season.

Trainer Prasad Raju dictated terms, winning a fine treble on Monday, thus reaching double figures in the season’s tally. Triple Nine opened the account of the day, in the Cabaret Plate, beating the public choice Royal Bay, after a gruelling fight throughout the home stretch. Shoban Babu could not get the stick on Royal Bay as his mount was hanging in, on the straight but Gnaneshwar used the stick freely to make sure Triple Nine put his head in front at the finish. Lord Nelson was permitted to be withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

The other two winners were in the hands of A. Ashhad Asbar, lifting both the divisions of the Time And Place Plate. Col. Nair’s Light Brigade put in a scintillating performance to win the lower division. Jet Express led gamely till the last 200 metres with English Indian and Superfluous joining the fight. As the three were involved in the tussle, Light Brigade, moved swiftly from the sixth position to score an encore. Phar Lap was permitted to be withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the gates.

Page Three and Red River Rebel did the early running, in the higher division. Dancing Touch who was tracking the duo surged ahead on top of the straight and staved off the late challenge of Ivory Snow and Splendid Scot.

Netto’s Hussler was ridden to victory in copy book fashion, by Pradeep Chouhan, in the C. Sathyanarayans Memorial Cup. Coming up from a handy third, Hussler hit the front and drew away for a comfortable win. Nano War finished second while Fly by Wire, Copertina and Scamper ended up in a close finish behind Nano War in that order.

Ananth Vatsalya’s Da Xia got into the winning bracket but not before getting a scare from Alexander Square. With Alexander Square bowling along in front, Chocksy Ruzaan had to goad Da Xia to get into rhythm and it was only after the son of Epicentre got the feel of the stick that he responded. Alexander Square, a handsome type, should pick his medal early.

Vittal Deshmukh lifted both the divisions of the Bakranangal Plate. Storm Force, who had surprised everyone in his previous outing, scoring as an upset, was sent out as the firm favourite in the higher division. Flaming Ruby had slipped into the lead and had got the better of Baywatch Babe, Al Malawi and Anemometer, passing the distance marker. Storm Force was not sighted at that point but came up with an electrifying run in the last 100 metres to snatch the race close to the winning post, much to the relief of her supporters. The Beatles Angel was withdrawn after she bolted from the starting area.

Jia Yoh Jia Yoh, with Imran Khan up, trounced the field in the lower division. Jia Yoh Jia Yoh overhauled the early leader Just Be Cool without much fuss. Smarty Prince took the second spot ahead of Just be Cool. Ted Lapitus was withdrawn before the start.