Satish Narredu trained Wind Wonder (Noverre-Scarborough / Sohna Stud) won the F.K.Irani Memorial Trophy in the most convincing way. Nine horses lined up for the seven furlongs contest after Talisker was withdrawn on veterinary grounds. Winston received the popular support, going into the race as a short priced favourite while the quote on Wind Wonder eased up to close at 11-2.

Winston set off in front with Visionist and Castle King in close attendance. Wind Wonder had settled well in fourth along the rails and the rest in tow. Inside the last two furlongs Winston came under pressure from Visionist and Inquisition also getting stronger from the outside. Wind Wonder was held back behind them with jockey Y.S.Srinath waiting for a split. Not finding the gap opening up, Srinath rode out Wind Wonder to force his way between horses and once shown the daylights, the 5 year old settled the issue well before the winning post. Winston finished second two lengths behind while Inquisition ended up a ‘neck’ behind in third.

Satish Narredu had in the earlier race; the higher division of the SD.Gopalaraj Urs Memorial Cup led in Son of Stars (Mount Nelson-Karasiyca / Hazara Stud). The youngster completed an encore in fine fashion. Jumping out smartly from the gates, Son of Stars hit the front early, but was held back in second when Beautiful Effect forged ahead passing the 800 metres pole. Into the last two furlongs Son of Stars took the path along the fence to take charge readily and stretched out to keep Thejaguar at bay till the winning post. Beautiful Effect finished third.

Country’s Beauty (Roi Maudit-Jazz Dancer / Country Stud) from the stables of Feroz M Khan score a sweat less win in the Mysore Jewellery Mart Trophy. Getting a flyer from draw one, Country’s Beauty shot ahead to lead the field. Inside the last 400 metres Country’s Beauty still enjoyed a sizable lead and increased it to 6 ¾ lengths at the finish with jockey Saddam Hussain not having to move a muscle on the straight. Albatros finished second while Rising Little Star and Sa Famous filled the judge’s frame in that order in a close finish.

Jockey Kiran Rai was in his elements, booting home a treble. The biggest upset of the day was his third win, Indian Royalty (Royal Kingdom-Our Royal Highness / Nanoli Stud) in the higher division of the M.B.Appaya Memorial Trophy. Racing towards the rear in about eighth position as they turned for home Indian Royalty manoeuvred its way through the field to grab the lead. Stable companion Hard To Pin Down also covered ground from the rear to finish second. Bessie and Lake Paradise filled the judge’s frame in that order.

The other two wins of Kiran Rai came in the first two races of the day. He rode Vikram Appachu trained For Your Eyes Only (Danehill Star-Hollywood Ending / Galloping Acres Stud) to a maiden win in the opener, the Jaganamohana Palace Plate. After missing the start, For Your Eyes Only improved quickly to be in mid-field while Bigstorm called the shots. Entering the home stretch Bigstorm was still kicking on and jockey P.Kiran Rai brought For Your Eyes Only from the wide outside. Happiness took charge for a short while approaching the last 200 metres but For Your Eyes Only came charging from the outside and won well. The favourite New Sunrise who was sluggish at start took the shortest way to take the second spot in front of Happiness.

Arun (Gaswar-Arikana / Galloping Acres Stud) from J.Babu Rao’s stables was ridden by Kiran to a thrilling victory in the Secunderabad Plate. Arun raced in about sixth position till entering the straight with Strive And Serve in the lead. On entering the straight AJ One surged forward to take over the running and as they came in to the last 200 metres Arun was ridden out strongly to close the gap on AJ One with every stride and just managed to get his ‘nose’ in front at the wire. The long-time leader Strive And Serve finished third two lengths behind with My Law taking the fourth place.

Trainer Amit Cady and Jockey A.Ramu combined to score a double, winning the last two races of the day through Power of Time and Trust Me Boy. Power of Time (Itaquere Power-Princess of Tara / Vikram Greenlands Stud) powered his way to a maiden win in the lower division of the D.Gopalaraj Urs Memorial Cup. The favourite Republican Star hung out badly after a sluggish start thereby losing over six lengths. Jockey J.H.Christopher tried his best to get his mount back into the race and the gelding also responded with a good gallop, improving all the way from the extreme outside to be a close third rounding the final bend. Into the last 400 metres Republican Star surged ahead to lead but started to hang out again and began to drift out alarmingly. Power of Time was being hampered by the drift on the outside quickly changed course towards the inner path and galloped resolutely to snatch the race close home. Vito finished on to be second half a length away while Republican Star after all the heroics ended third a ‘neck’ behind. Amanda joined the same photo frame in fourth. Everest was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.   

Trust Me Boy (Royal Gladiator-Arthi / Pratap Stud) was given a neat ride by A.Ramu to win the division II of the M.B.Appaya Memorial Trophy. Racing last among the ten runners in the race till the last 800 metres, all the way along the rails, Trust Me Boy was gradually pulled out to get a clear run on the wide outside as the turned for home. The 5 year old covered ground rapidly on the straight to head past the leader Ground Marshall approaching the distance post. Starstruck was on a hot chase of the ‘Boy’ in the last 200 metres but failed to catch up by half a length. Ground Marshall was third another six lengths behind.