River God was the smashing winner of the J B Mallaradhya Cup that featured Saturday's races. The son of Razeen who was once fancied to win the Indian Derby had been plagued by problems, the most serious one of them being that he was a bleeder. Ever since being relocated in the stables of Michael Eshwer, River God was seen to be on the upgrade as evidenced by his brilliant run the previous run where he had the luck of the race going against him. He was expected to improve on that effort and the conditions too favoured him. The weather was pleasant and River God was not expected to come under undue pressure as he had a postage stamp weight to carry on his back. Jockey Harish who has been in good nick ever since returning from South Africa rode a copybook race on him, having River God covered behind the field and bringing him on the outside in the homestretch to enable the son of Razeen to stretch out in resplendent style. River God won by a widening margin of over six lengths in an excellent timing of one minute 38.6 seconds over Ching Mai.

Taipan did the job of pace making, with Perfect Venue racing in the second position along with Ching Mai. Rounding the final bend, Taipan weakened and Ching Mai managed to surge ahead even as Perfect Venue faded out of contention. Ching Mai went ahead but the lead was short-lived as River God devoured ground when given the galloping ground and settled the issue without much fuss.

River God has failed to realize his true potential thus far. Now that River God has come into his own and appears to be better than before, the trainer could think of exploiting him in terms races where he will be well placed in scales. The potential is there and it has to be cleverly utilized.

The Col Rajkumar C Desraj Urs Memorial Cup, a race over seven furlongs for horses rated 20 to 35, had one of the most competitive fields for a race of this nature. Royal Affinity towered over the rest because of her sensational win in her previous essay where she had called the tune from the word `go' and won in splendid fashion. She was the firm favourite ahead of Starzaan and Metalique. Starzaan went into the race with the benefit of two mock races but he still looked far from the desired fitness level as could be made out from the paddock looks. Metalique had run a brilliant race over an identical distance where she had buckled down to Ramjet but finished ahead of eventual Derby winner Glorious Colours.

Appu on Metalique appeared to have stolen the race when he had a break of over four lengths inside the final furlong over her adversary Royal Affinity who was taking her own time to find foot. But Royal Affinity devoured ground in the manner of a top class horse and won close home. Taurian and Defiant surpassed all expectations by finishing third and fourth, perhaps highlighting the fact that the runners behind the battling duo were pretty ordinary. Starzaan's poor show was not entirely unexpected as he was badly in need of this run. Royal Affinity did perform below expectations but is understandable because the filly had been the medium of a big touch on the Derby day and she would have gone into the race in super fitness. As such, this race come too soon, might have diluted her performance a wee bit. Nevertheless, she can shape as a classic contender during the monsoon season.

Centralito, owned by tennis stars Mahesh Bhupathi and Enrico Piperno, showed good improvement, winning the 1400 metres Santorini Star Plate with ease. Favourite Just Amazing made no show and plodded home ahead of Khalsa after Centralito had shot through the rails and sealed the issue.

The odds on Imtiaz Sait's Sun Seeker drifted so much in the betting ring that alarm bells started ringing. Sun Seeker was obviously cut above the opposition and the son of Don't Forget Me won untroubled, belying the market trend, the jockey having the luxury of easing his mount well inside the final 100 metres. North Berwick chased without hope. Love Me Do who had served notice of an imminent success, won at the expense of favourite Cybergenic and 'Candramukhi. Fantasy Strip found the trip sharp but the filly will have a decisive say very soon. In the day's other action, Acquaintance won untroubled from Enduring Freedom. The latter showed encouraging signs of ending the sequence of disastrous runs by finishing a noteworthy second. Apprentice Jagadeesh had little problem in driving out Black Ocean to a start to finish victory over Classic Time who chased the front-runner in vain.