S.Rakesh trained Castle King (Hymn-Castle Beauty) produced a scintillating gallop to down the piping hot favourite Keturah in the Vidhatri Motors Cup, the feature of the day, for horses rated 80 and above. A winner in the lower class five weeks ago, Rakesh’s ward showed tremendous improvement to beat one of the best 4 year old at this centre. Keturah looked to be a cinch on paper before the race and the filly was sent in at cramped odds against her six opponents for the seven furlongs trip.

Spark of Beauty led the field with Keturah settling easily in second. Crrisp and Bold Police tracked the pair while Castle King was not far behind. Into the home stretch Keturah forged ahead to take charge as expected but the rider had to go for the stick when Bold Police began to apply pressure. Castle King also started to move up on the wider outside as they came into the last 250 metres and with apprentice Sarvan Kumar giving five strong backhanders the gelding produced a brilliant turn of foot to upset the apple cart of the favourite in fine fashion. Demanding Format ended up third in front of Bold Police.

Rakesh saddled a double to go ahead in the trainer’s tally for the season. His other winner was Devine Friendship (Sharp Attack –Bribe N Prejudice) in the lower division of the Nilgiris Plate. Devine Friendship and Beyond Thankful, both last outing winners were the market leaders among the dozen runners with the second named heading the money at 10-9 ‘on’. Oscar Sparkler in the lead from the start came in first on the final straight. The favourite Beyond Thankful was waiting to pounce on the leader and Devine Friendship also was closing up. The favourite took the initiative first and moved forward inside the last 300 metres but was no match when Rayan Marshall asked Devine Friendship for an effort. The gelding unleashed a remarkable gallop to score an encore. Beyond Thankful finished second while Ayman got the better of Oscar Sparkler for the third place.

Jockey J.H.Christopher was at the helm with a sensational treble. He won the first two races with Shades of Scarlet and Precious Replica respectively and pulled off a startling upset with Rebecca.

T.Natraj trained Precious Replica (Kingda Ka-Licata) won the Charmudi Ghat Plate, a 1400 metres race for 3 year old maiden horses. Settled well in second behind Phelalee till rounding the final bend, Precious Replica moved swiftly to grab the lead and stretched out to establish a clear lead. First Light finished on to be second. Touch of Romance improved late along the fence to snatch the third place from Silver Oak. Autum of Sylvanite was withdrawn on veterinary grounds before the race.

Bipin Salvi trained Shades of Scarlet (Inner City-Land Lady) on whom an enquiry is still underway into the  incident pertaining to the saddle shifting over the wither in its last run where the 6 year old had finished last, was given a determined ride by Christopher to snatch a win from Small Cruise on the last stride. Small Cruise hit the front early and set out on a start to finish bid. The top weighted Shades of Scarlet, in third till entering the straight started to move closer with a strong challenge but began to veer out under pressure. Chris gathered his mount well and riding out strongly put the mare on track and nosed out Small Cruise on the wire. Admiranda finished third. 

Bipin V Salvi pulled off a double with a stunning upset through Rebecca (Byron-Reflectance) in the Tuticorin plate, a sprint race for horses rated 60 and above. The favourite Secret Treasure disputed the lead with Flying Tricolour till turning for home and went clear on entering the straight. Secret Treasure looked good till the last 250 metres but was under pressure as they passed the distance marker. Rebecca which was along the fence in about seventh position till the top of the straight was pulled out by Christopher and when shown the daylight on the extreme outside, the 6 year old mare galloped resolutely score an upset. Alizadeh also ran on well to finish second. Scholar warmed up late to push back Secret Treasure to the fourth place.

M.Bobby’s 4 year old bay colt Secret Missile (Crown Jewels-Henna) justified the ‘odds on’ favouritism while completing a hat-trick in the higher division of the Nilgiris Plate. Secret Missile got straight down to business as the field was dispatched for the seven furlongs trip. Coming in well ahead of the rest on the home stretch Secret Missile was on its own and drew away easily. Jockey D.Gnaneshwar had the privilege of looking back and easing up his mount well before the winning post. Always on Top beat the rest to be the runner-up while Royal Shaan and Defining Moment filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Two eight year olds won both the divisions of the Yamuna Plate. A good touch by the connections of Byzantine (Warrshan-Seriously Nicole) paid dividends in the higher division. Sent in as the first favourite, Vishal Yadav’s Byzantine went into the lead as the gates opened and never looked back. Ice Brown, on whom the price kept climbing up, trailed the field till the last 500 metres and with a steady gallop along the shortest way, finished second. Rosie’s Dream finished third ahead of Game Face.

Virtuoso (Local Talent-Allocate) whose last win was as a 4 year old, won the lower division as the firm favourite to give trainer C.Girinath his first win after his return to duties. After a good beginning, Virtuoso settled well in fourth while Big Hero and Tornado Force disputed the lead followed by Amiable Lady. Inside the last 300 metres Big Hero started to drift out of the straight course and Virtuoso made good of the opportunity to take the inner path and forge ahead. Jaldi and Lake of Magic were withdrawn after being troublesome in the gates.

C.V.G.K.Kishore trained Concentration (Case Law-Cosmic Flash) scored a maiden win in the higher division of the Star Angel Plate. In a three way finish, Concentration edged out Brigade’s Passion and Youre Chilubuli. Brigade’s Passion was the first to take the initiative as they came on to the final straight and Concentration joined up on the outside. The two began to fight out as they came into the last 200 metres and Youre Chilubuli shifted out from the rails to make its bid and the three went past the winning post in a close finish. Jockey Mudassar Nazar had ridden Concentration to a ‘neck’ win. Brigade’s Passion finished second while Youre Chilubuli was third another ‘neck’ behind.

The last race of the day was declared Null And Void following a steward’s enquiry into the running of the race. The Alchemist ridden by apprentice Sarvan Kumar moved in very sharply immediately after the start thereby dislodging the riders of Mountain Glory and Black Dragon and also putting Guapo off the stride. The favourite Gayle’s Storm had prevailed over Real Potential in a close finish. The stewards were of the opinion that the race was not run ‘fair’ and declared it Null and Void.