J Saravanan trained Sand Dune (Senure-Sandslash) raised a determined gallop when it mattered most to down the efforts of the race favourite Sofast in the Dr.M.N.Doreswamy Memorial Trophy, a seven furlongs race for horses rated 60 and above, that featured the card of ten races on Wednesday. Sand Dune which had found one better in its last two starts settled in about eighth position till turning for home. Absolute Pleasure was the first to take the initiative to head past the leader Miyarsprincess on top of the straight. The favourite Sofast started to pick up speed inside the last 200 metres and Sand Dude also made its move at the same juncture. The two flashed past Absolute Pleasure and with jockey R Vaibhav keeping his hands busy managed to get Sand Dune to hold off Sofast in a stirring finish. Absolute Pleasure, Color Me and Distant Promise filled the minor places in that order in a close finish.

The day’s races were not kind to followers of money, with only two first favourites, Secret Treasure and Azure Fire obliging in the long card of ten races. By the time their chances came the pockets of the die-hard railbirds were already drained out. Trainers Michael Eshwer, Zareer Darashah and jockey Y S Srinath scored a double each. Joining the party was lesser known rider S Mubarak who pulled off a brace too.

Eshwer and Y S Srinath combined to score a brace through Fink and Secret Treasure. Fink (Phoenix Tower-Fleurissimo) made an impressive debut in the Victory Zone Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for 2 year old maiden horses. Ayahuasca hit the front at start and was trying its best to hold on to the lead as the came in to the final furlong. Murcilago began to get stronger as the race got to a boil. Fink, which was travelling along the fence all the way till the last 300 metres was pulled out by Srinath to make its bid and the son of Phoenix Tower responded with a brilliant turn of foot to register a fine win. Murcilago finished second ahead of Ayahuasca. Keep Secret and The Back Bencher were non-starters in the race.

The vastly improved Secret Treasure (Hurricane Center-Secret Star) defied the 17 points penalty incurred for its win by scoring an encore in the higher division of the Avalanche Star Plate. Tracking the front running Amiable Lady till the bend, Secret Treasure took charge effortlessly on entering the final straight and won unchallenged. Words of Wisdom moved to be second near the 300 metres marker and stayed so till the finish. Herculean and Precept filled the frame in that order.

Mubarak piloted C V G K Kishore trained Napolean Dynamite in the opener and pulled off his double with Vikram Appachu’s Winning Desire. Napolean Dynamite (Storm Trooper-Pamela Bird) won the Mangalagangotri Plate. Will Star set out on a start to finish bid, leading by over four lengths as they turned for home. After passing the 300 metres marker Will Still started to lug out badly and the lead started to diminish rapidly. Napolean Dynamite travelling towards the rear till the last 800 metres moved to be eighth on top of the straight and improving gradually picked up speed to flash past Will Still to emerge victorious. Prost and Rich Rogue Filled the frame.

Winning Desire (Case Law-Capistrano) won the lower division of the Avalanche Star Plate from start to finish. The six years old was quick to get to the front at start and maintained a good lead till entering the last 100 metres. Rickety Rock came up with a big run towards the closing stages but failed to collar Winning Desire by a ‘neck’. Shubkamna and the favourite Beautiful Fin finished third and fourth respectively

Zareer Darashah’s double came through All For Cash and Brave Assault, both long shots at eights. All For Cash (Royal Kingdom-Am Capable) travelling towards the rear even on entering the last 400 metres, swooped down on almost the entire field on the extreme outside to win the division I of the Brig.C.D.Mohan Memorial Plate. Dance of a General and Cash is King were involved in a keen tussle right through the straight when All For Cash, on whom jockey M D Paswan looked more like a stuffed dummy, came tearing down to win by a length. Cash is King was second, half a length ahead of Dance of a General.

Brave Assault (Brave Act-Royal Assault) made every post a winning one in the lower division. Jockey Ryan Marshal rode out Brave Assault vigorously after jumping out of the gates to make sure that he got to the front to lead. Settling well thereafter, Brave Assault started to kick on well on the straight. The favourite Euphoria tried to get to terms with the leader but the 7 year old failed in its effort. Ice Splendour came with a fast run towards the closing stages but failed to collar the ultimate winner by a ‘neck’.

Feroz M Khan trained Harini (Juniper-Zaditen) which had scored a hat-trick on this course over a year ago, had indicated its return to form while finishing second in its last essay. The Western India import Javelin started off as the favourite at Evens the odds eased out to almost double. The filly was quick at start to hit the front and was joined by Queens Cruise. The two battled for the lead till rounding the final bend. On the home stretch Javelin moved away from Queens Cruise and was looking good when Harini navigated along the shortest way and came charging with jockey D Gnaneshwar giving his best to get the nod in the shadow of the winning post. Queens Cruise and Aerial Acrobat filled the judge’s frame in that order.

A quite touch by the known connections of Ranjeet Shinde trained Royal Prodigy (Royal Gladiator-Bountiful Gesture) paid rich dividends in the Planters Plate. A rather lazy type, Royal Prodigy was lethargic again at the start. Jockey M.A.Milan had to give four or five strong backhanders to get the 6 year old to gallop. The ‘prodigy’ was still at the tail as they entered the final run while Infinithoughts had grabbed the lead and Ensatus Elegans rallied along the wide gap along the rails to join the fight. Royal Prodigy weaved through horses in the last 350 metres and with a brilliant burst of speed despite lugging in badly, stormed clear of Infinithoughts and Ensatus Elegans.

Pratap Kamath trained Azure Fire (Tejano-Crown Secret) justified the staunch support in the Vani Vilas Plate, the concluding race of the day. Azure Fire set out in front from the word ‘go’ and Ace Princess was in chase till the final bend. On the final straight Azure Fire started to stretch out well and increased the leeway. Little Athena started to move up late but the winner was ahead by a clear three lengths. Time Flies finished third half a length in front of Impedimenta.