Vittal Deshmukh trained Maximise carried the top weight of 62 kilos to a comprehensive victory in the Deccan Chronicle Gold Cup, run over 2400 metres, thus advertising his credentials for the Stayers Cup, to be run on the Invitational Race Day. His four rivals in the race included the stable mate Vijayrath, who went into the race as the firm favourite despite carrying an overweight of four kilos. Orochi led the five horse field till the five furlong marker and made way to Maximise who was in all eagerness to go to the front. While Maximise drew away on the straight, Vijayrath started to tire out and fell back letting Orochi to take the second spot.

Deshmukh had earlier led in Combined Force in the Paradis Plate, the opening race of the day. After finishing last in his previous outing just a fortnight ago, Combined Force surprised everyone by drawing away on top of the straight. Casablanca was found to be running green and in his eagerness to get closer started to run in and out.

Prohibition won the higher division of the A.P.Heritage Cup. With Colourful making all the running in front, Gnaneshwar was quick to realize that he would face traffic problems and sensibly guided his mount along the rails where he got a clear run to and got the better of Colourful, in the dying moments of the race. The fancied runners in the race, Acciaccatura and Ruby Rouge took the minor placing in that order.

S.Habeebullah’s Global Emperor justified the favouritism in the lower division. Essence and Bakersfield finished behind the winner in that order with a late rally.

Gnaneshwar had to work his way on the half money favourite, Arabian Dancer, to win the higher division of the Almanac Cup. Victorous Sally came up menacingly but began to drift out in the last 50 metres with the jockey not able to give much assistance as he reportedly suffered from cramps. Queen of Sheeba ran a forward race and finished a close third.

Rank outsider Urbano took the lower division in a thrilling finish. Fire Blaze who was backed to the exclusion of the other runners, led the field on the straight and was being hard pressed by S.John to stay in front. She started to send distress signals 100 metres from home with Hunting Boy breathing fire on her neck. Al Jameel began to devour ground widest of all and it looked like he would sweep the field but his stride was hampered by Fire Blaze who began to drift out. Urbano in the meanwhile shot through the rails from nowhere to snatch the race, within the shadow of the winning post. As expected the hooter went up and there were two objections. The first one by the rider of Hunting Boy placed fourth against Fire Blaze and Al Jameel was overruled while the second one by the rider of Al Jameel against Fire Blaze was upheld and Fire Blaze was relegated to the third spot. Many of the knowledgeable race goers felt that if the rider of Al Jameel had been keener, he could have well wrapped up the race.

Sugar Lady received a lot of support in the betting, winding up as the favourite, in the Red Surprise Cup. Justifying the faith reposed in her by her avid supporters, Sugar Lady, made headway from third position rounding the final bend to draw away by a clear five lengths. Narwhal came in late to finish second ahead of Penumatcha.

The two divisions of the Sweet Memories Plate went in favour of public fancies. Amontillado got the better of Scorcher and Top Shape in the last 100 metres to claim the higher division. Leo’s Zulima took the lower division beating Golden Sabot, who had tried to runaway with the race.