For the third time, in a short season spanning less than three months, Sharat Kumar trained Lionheart put up a fine display while lifting The VT Velu Memorial Cup at the Bangalore Turf Club on Thursday. He completed winning three top class races during the said period. This stout-hearted galloper continues to defy the handicapper, and makes light of the penalties imposed on him. This was the same horse which was discarded by a leading stable in Western India, and picked at a modest price by Sharat for his sporting owners. Since Lionheart was a five year old at that time, he had to be raced at Mysore. The long and happy journey started from a moderate win in class IV, and was capped by a ninth win for his connections on Thursday. The most amazing part of this victory was the fact that Lionheart had been handicapped at 68 Kgs in a well-represented Class I field. By winning a third race from four starts this season, Lionheart surpassed the Rs 2 Million mark in career stake earnings. It needs to be mentioned, that this brave horse has been available at more than 20/1 with the bookmakers on all three occasions. The connections decided to claim allowance on this top-weight, and declared Gaurav Sapra to ride him. Star Wave was an obvious odds-on favourite, while there was stray support for Dancing Highness, Einstein and Rio Bravo. The early running was made by Einstein and Jersey Pride, while Dancing Highness was a close third. Star Wave seemed to be in early trouble, as she was finding it difficult to keep pace with the front-runners. Lava, Rio Bravo and Lionheart were running detatched from the leading group as the heads turned for home. The scene changed rapidly, as Einstein and Dancing Highness began to shorten their strides. Star Wave had already packed-up and faded from the picture. Lionheart was making rapid progress on the rails, while Rio Bravo was galloping strongly through the middle. In the end, it was the stronger Lionheart who slipped away from Rio Bravo and stunned those present at the race course. Einstein stayed on to be third ahead of Lava. In his present form, the winner shall be a live force in the "Terms " races that he may target in the coming months. The Narredu family cornered most of the glory, by displaying immaculate riding skills and winning four of the eight races during the afternoon. Mallesh began it all, by steering Firezone to an easy victory in The Track Lightning Trophy. Irfan-trained Firezone was looking a picture in the paddock. He had been sporting bandages in his first start, but there were no signs of them today. There was serious support for Firezone, and the odds against him were shortening with each passing moment. Mallesh settled him behind the speedy Chinab, and showed him daylight near the distance post. Firezone sped away from Hall Mark and Flair Queen. The winner is a good type, and more should be heard of him in the coming months. Mallesh completed a quick double in the very next race, when he drove Sunny Colours to an impressive victory over a staying trip. The setting was a Class IV race over a mile and a quarter. Allowing Bennythebull, Touch of Magic and Sanqusar to lead till well into the home stretch, Sunny Colours was produced on the wide outside and taken to the front. Mallesh rode her hands-and-heels thereafter, and increased her margin of victory. Attaturk came with a strong bid to finish second ahead of a late finishing Jersey Rock. Sunny Colours has shown her staying capabilities, and can be earmarked for further successes in long distance races. Champion jockey Suraj Narredu added to his personal tally, by scoring a quick double for the Byramji's. In an excellent display of saddle artistry, Suraj brought Top of The Class from a seemingly impossible position, and collared the front-running Mucho , Welcome Back and Snob Value. This sprint race produced such an exciting finish , that the first six horses were within two lengths of each other while flashing past the winning post. His next victory on Succeeding Star was relatively easier. Allowing Little Splendour and Spark Of Isis to make the early running, Suraj pushed Succeeding Star into the lead near the final bend, and drove him to an easy victory ahead of a late finishing Equidae. The latter was the victim of an insipid ride from Wayne Smith. Equidae was drawn on the extreme inside in an eleven horse field. After taking a lethargic jump, and not making any effort to improve his position in the backstretch, Wayne Smith and Equidae were almost last as the field straghtened for home. The filly showed her Class by making up a lot of ground and coming through a packed field. Equidae finished a good second and can be earmarked for many successes in the near future. Royal Amber and Salsera filled the rest of the frame. After two unsuccessful efforts, Arjun's ward Abs Fabs faced moderate opposition in the day's opener. She was a half-money favourite to win this race. Abs Fabs ran true to form while romping home to an easy victory over Affirmed Crown and Royal Zen. Appu held her back for a while before letting her go. She responded gamely and clocked a good timing while extending the margin of her victory. The last race of the day was an open betting affair. Olivia Valere and River Island cornered early morning support, but a rush of money on Logan's Run close to race time, saw the picture change dramatically. Irfan's horses always run well when they are strongly supported, and it was no different today. B Paswan had Logan's Run in box seat, as Panchakshari made the early running and led till the 300 metres marker. Logan's Run was taken to the front thereafter and he ran away from Callista and River Island. The connections of the last named have supported their horse strongly on many occasions. She seems to be ungenuine and should be left alone from a betting perspective.