Trainer Padmanabhan's gamble of taking a shot at the Knock Out Million with Royal Gladiator despite his ward having to concede weight to all his adversaries would have come through but for a tremendous finish conjured up by India's most successful jockey of the moment B Prakash on Snow Dew. In an exciting battle which was fought the length of the home stretch, Snow Dew edged out Royal Gladiator in the shadow of the winning post. A mere neck separated the battling duo.

Affability whose half sister Six Speed had won this event last year, had the terms of the race in her favour but she went into the race, trifle underdone, which put paid to her hopes. Nevertheless she was a game third. 

Padmanabhan was in a dilemma whether to run Royal Gladiator in the Knock Out Million where he had to take on formidable contenders, with the terms of the race loaded against his ward or give a easy lead up race. So much so that even at the acceptances stage, he was undecided and left in his ward in both day's races. Finally, he plunged for the Knock Out Million albeit at a fine of Rs 2000 but to his credit, it must be said that he took the right decision. Royal Gladiator despite this narrow loss, proved silenced all the critics who were doubting his classic ability. The got-abroad colt is the one everyone has to beat in the Colts Trial Stakes, the second classic of the season, to be held next month. 

By Honour And Glory who was the first season leading sire at America, Royal Gladiator has improved with each turn and considering the fact that he has scope for improvement, he should go places.

Affability looked a cinch to win but for the fact that she lacked solid preparation. With trainer Jaggy Dhariwal returning only last week after a month long holiday at England, the filly was not fine tuned for the race. The trainer was rather reluctant to run her in this race, preferring to give an easy lead up race. However, the filly was not disgraced in defeat and she can turn the tables on Snow Dew in the Fillies Trial Stakes. She is sure to improve by leaps and bounds after this run.

On the other hand, Snow Dew proved that her poor run in the Poonawalla Million was only an aberration. The temperamental filly who is by Razeen out of Snow, showed remarkable improvement when winning the Million under adverse circumstances. She was tuned to the minute and it remains to be seen how much more she will improve after this energy-sapping  effort which would have taken a quite a toll on her. The Fillies Trial Stakes is headed for an exciting match race between Snow Dew and Affability.

Coming back to the race, Affability, despite pre-race talk of being short on preparation, went into the race as a favourite, with Ansbach next in demand. Royal Gladiator and Snow Dew were at generous odds.

Jockey Ruzzan took Affability on a start to finish mission, with Rich Crown hassling her on the outside. Royal Gladiator raced in close attendance, with Ciel Fleuri traveling three horse wide. Ansbach raced along the rails with Snow Dew ranging alongside. 

Approaching the final bend, Malesh Narredu made his move on Royal Gladiator even as Ciel Fleuri who had blazed the track, sending distress signals. Ansbach was slightly hampered for room along the rails as Prakash on Snow Dew tightened him slightly.

Inside the final 300 metres, Royal Gladiator appeared to be edging ahead of a battling Affability whose reserves of stamina was being tested to the hilt by her challenger. Aslam Kader on Ansbach tried to push his mount through the rails even as Prakash brought Snow Dew on the wide outside, to essay his challenge. The trio battled an exciting battle but with Affability tiring out,  Royal Gladiator and Snow Dew were left to fight the finish. The latter just about got the nod at the finish. Ansbach finished fourth ahead of Spirited Effort who should make his mark in a handicap race.

Much was expected of Calcutta challenger Ansbach who had run a close second to Royal Gladiator in the Nanoli Million and the terms favoured him here but he may not measure up to the competition obtaining at this centre. Jockey Prakash was fined Rs 1,000 for causing interference to Ansbach while Narredu coughed up the same amount for a similar interference on Affability.

The Paddiwick Plate, a seven furlong race for maiden three-year olds was run in two divisions and the results came in contrasting fashion, in differing conditions. In the upper division, jockey Aslam Kader had to drive out on money favourite Arristo with all the resources at his command to get the better of Dover on the post, the lower division saw Star Chieftan swamp the opposition in the manner of horse with immense potential. While Dover could have won with better handling than that offered by visiting jockey S S Bhati, Arristo perhaps was done in by soft underfoot conditions which resulted due to heavy downpour prior to this race. Fire Crest, a well bred horse, was a faraway third. Firecrest is by Southern Halo out of Steal A Kiss and the dam is a Group race winner at the USA. Firecrest should improve on this run.

Star Chieftan is undoubtedly a horse with classic potential. With inspired betting coming on Royal Russian, the price on Star Chieftan slightly drifted in the betting ring. But how wrong the connections of Royal Russian got their calculations was proved even before the final bend as Star Chieftan drew clear of the opposition, without being fully extended, to win by a distance in conditions which were not affected by rain. Royal Russian plodded on to be second ahead of Charente and a late-finishing Authentic Power.

Jockey Prakash cornered all the glory as apart from Snow Dew and Star Chieftan, he had two other winners for the day through Projection and Our Ambition who both won their races with ease. Prakash had to stretch himself a wee bit on Our Ambition who had to fight a resolute battle  with Exstream before surging clear close home. Projection's style of winning suggested that an encore is well within his reach.

Mrs Silva Storai guided Adelante to the second slot behind Projection and the difference in her riding style was obvious. Adelante lay a handy second, then took charge in the straight but was done in by the superior ability of the favourite. When Silva is not serious like when she was astride Rusticana, she trails the field and gives her mounts no chance whatsoever. Like in the second race of the day when she rode Rusticana who trailed the field by about two lengths and then finished out of sight. Not that Rusticana had any great chance in a set of poor contenders. The race was won by Beautiful Bird, ridden by R Shelar, who at last found a winner in Bangalore. The jockey could improve with some guidance and may be jockey Warren Singh who is grooming him, might bring out the best in him. Lake Baikal lost to Beautiful Bird close home which enabled the latter to land a well-priced  coup.

Madhu Mangalorkar trained Special Request was backed to the exclusion of his rivals but jockey Satish Narredu on the Brave Hunter progeny failed to take a good position early on and then traveled wide, to finish in the rut. Big And Blonde who showed plenty of speed, surprised, with a comfortable win over Hyderabad challenger Six-Flags. Persian Goddess finished third but could have finished closer but for the poor assistance offered by apprentice Md Shafiq.

Jockey Appu seems to revel in adverse conditions. For the second week running, he guided home a winner in pouring rain. He drove Augill Castle to victory over Mr Belvedere by a whisker in the 1600 metres Charles Todhunter Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 35. Bottom-weighted Blushing Heart had the first run on her rivals but she failed to sustain. Appu drove Augill Castle to establish a useful lead at the top of the straight which held him in good stead as Mr Belvedere finished on powerfully. The winning post came to the rescue of the front-runner. Blushing Heart who is a full sister to the celebrated Congratulations has been a big let down though she could pick up a race or two before she is retired to the paddock.