Centrestage (Noverre – Naivement) provided jockey Joseph O’Brien his first successful ride in India, in only his second attempt. He had finished a close second atop Shahenshah on his India debut a few days back. This time he seized the opportunity and tasted first blood on Indian turf.

The start was ominous for King Julien as he jumped out awkwardly leaving his jockey in the stalls. However, the rider less horse fortunately behaved and didn’t come in anyone’s way. Brave Vision led the small field until the turn with Arabian Fighter and Golden Memory in chase, Centrestage settled in fourth with Relic Hunter and Barringo not too far behind.

Brave Vision stuck it out and kept going when Centrestage began his surge forward. He ate up ground quickly to get to the leader with 300 to go. Once on the scene, O’Brien asked Centrestage to quicken and the Shroff trained filly responded well to get the measure of Brave Vision. Once into the lead, Centrestage looked good in her finish and won comfortably. Barringo worked hard and managed to pip Brave Vision for the runner up slot. Relic Hunter ran below par and ended in the rut.  

Jockey Dashrath Singh once again was the pick of the pros as he landed a fine treble on the day. He hit the right note on the day’s first race itself, partnering on money favourite Be Cool (Ontario – Be Mine).

Al Zamarud was quickly out and led the field at a decent pace. Nanina and Your Lordship were close behind with Be Cool a couple of lengths further behind alongside Victorious Cause. Al Zamarud had a handy lead coming into the straight and was hoping for the winning post to arrive soon. Be Cool lit up with 300 to go and was fast covering ground. He joined Al Zamarud at the distance post and drew away in the last 100 to post a facile victory.

After this victory over the five-furlong scurry, Dashrath struck again in the very next race this time over the Derby distance. His mount Danse Dabonaire looked much the part in the paddock and did receive attention in the betting ring as well.   They raced in a single file with Bonobo calling the early shots, Danse Debonaire, favourite Romantic Beauty, Flight to Freedom and Money for Nothing in that order. The pace of the race was too slow in the initial stages and picked up on ly past the 800 m mark.

Bonobo led them in but was soon countered by Romantic Beauty and Danse Debonaire making their move just at the same juncture. The duo battled on all the way to the winning post. They were going stride for stride all through the final furlong and Dashrath won it for the Narendra Lagad ward by the bob of the head.

Dashrath struck again in the ninth race when he partnered Sheer Romance (Oath – Romantic Notes) to victory. Prince and Blessed brought the field home with very little separating the two, Riding on the Storm soon began to chase the pair in front. Sheer Romance started to look prominent past the 400. In the final furlong, Riding on the Storm challenged Prince and Blessed and as the three were engaged in a battle, Sheer Romance stormed past then all to score an impressive victory.  Windmill Lady, hither to not in the picture, galloped gallantly when all was over. However, she did extremely wee to cover a lot of ground to snatch the second place from Blessed and Prince in a close finish.

Clinton (Razeen – Veena’s Pet) expectedly scored an encore. Swift Memories in her customary style darted into the lead with Angel Crown, Clinton and Red Baron in that order. Clinton was confidently ridden by jockey Zervan who took no notice of the runaway lead that Swift Memories enjoyed even after passing the half way mark. Clinton drew closer at the turn and once into the straight he cruised ahead to get past Swift Memories. Red Baron too put up a strong finishing effort but all he could do was cut the margin of victory.

Rekindle (Placerville – Mitzvah) picked up her maiden victory but not without struggle and apprehension. Veena’s Pet led them into the straight and soon Rekindle took over. Liam Jones was hard at work when Trance came alive with a nice run. Trance though, was a little wayward and shifted inwards making contact with Rekindle in the process. Jones never gave up on Rekindle and wrested back the initiative and kicked on to win by 3/4 L.

Dashrath Singh lodged an objection against Jones. The stewards watched the relevant footage and overruled the objection.

Masterofthesky (Major Impact – Matisse) was ridden confidently by Suraj Narredu and his start to finish essay got the desired result. As he led into the straight, Suraj kept Masterofthesky on a tight rein until the last 300 meters. Once he opened the throttle on the Dallas colt, Masterofthesky quickened well to stay safely ahead. Mahima did make a strong bid as she covered ground briskly from the rear, but Masterofthesky had it all covered. He won comfortably. Awesome Smile too made up considerable ground to finish in the money close behind Mahima.

Change of name proved auspicious for Winning Destiny (Ikhtyar – Willy Nilly) as he had not won a race as Cheponski in ten attempts! As Winning Destiny however, the Rehanullah Khan gelding, as if sporting a new pair of wings as well, darted home to score a maiden victory in style.

Winning Destiny took charge from the word go and was fighting against the odds with two fancied youngsters in Divine Inspiration and IL Moran. The five year old dark bay however, put up a spirited show to keep all and sundry at bay. He came with a handy lead and Sandesh kept it simple, going hands and heels all the way. Just one crack to stop her slight brief is all what it took to storm home for a convincing victory. Divine inspiration failed as a favourite yet again. Ibis improved to finish a good third. IL Moran ran down the field, I reckon this run is not his true run so best ignored.

New World (Razeen - Forest Paradise) produced a superlative run to humble hot favourite Winston in the straight. Winston had just taken over the running from Star Builder and Crrisp. Winston had hardly set sights on the winning post when New World came crushing down on the favourite. He streaked ahead in no time and was safe and away to notch up a convincing victory in the last race of the day.

For the professionals, Dashrath Singh scored a mighty treble and Naren was the lone trainer to score a double.