Wind Stream (Steinbeck-Artwork / Usha Stud) bagged the Governor’s Cup on a day disrupted by sudden downpour that rendered the underfoot conditions mushy. There was heavy downpour immediately after the second race that lasted for almost half an hour. False rails that were put up were removed after the fourth race and the proceedings continued till the main event of the day, the Governor’s Cup. The remaining two races of the day were cancelled.

Hidayat Khan trained Wind Stream had to be hard ridden by jockey S.John to win the Governor’s Cup. This was the second time John was partnering Wind Stream, the first one being their successful Mysore Derby in the year 2012. Five horses lined up for the 2000 metres trip but only four of them finished as the race favourite Duma turned around approaching the mile marker and dislodged the rider. Charlatan set the pace right from the start, followed closely by Wind Stream. Spinning Chakram and Ambitious reward raced together in the rear. Charlatan continued to stay in front inside the last furlong and John had to ride out to head past inside the last 50 metres and win by a neck. Ambitious Reward and Spinning Chakram were never in the picture on the straight and finished in that order faraway behind.       

J.Babu Rao trained Frenemee (Puerto Madero-Musical Pepper / Equus Stud) carried a back breaking 64 kilograms to a stunning victory in the Smt.Maliniraje Prasad Memorial Trophy. The favourite Wind And Flight went to the front within the first furlong followed closely by Will Star. The two were involved in a stirring duel as the headed into the last 300 metres and then came Frenemee tearing down from the rear to charge ahead and seal the issue. Will Star, Wind And Flight and Cool Hand filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Another top weight, Hatchet Harry (Diffident-Zest / Yeravada Stud) from Samar Singh’s stables pulled off a surprise in the higher division of the Sri.V.B.Ramachandran Memorial Trophy with jockey B.L.Naveen picking up his first win after his return to racing in India. Luc Divine showed up first on the straight followed closely by Little Brown Jug and Young Gallant. Hatchet Harry started to move around them inside the last 400 metres and sped away easily. Little Brown Jug finished second ahead of Young Gallant. The well backed Rakshitha ended up fourth.  

Zareer Darashah trained Nanuk (Arabian Gulf-Market Guru / Manjri Stud) set out on a start to finish mission and won by a lengthening margin in the lower division. As they came into the last 400 metres Nanuk was still well ahead and went further under Y.S.Srinath to score its maiden win by eight lengths. Summer Sensation finished on to be second ahead of Above And Beyond and Youre Rocking.

V.Narayana Gowda trained Cute Beast (Mathematician-Ronkonkoma / Sans Craintes Stud) earned her maiden win in the lower division of the Shantinikethan Plate, the first race of the day. The 4 year old filly who was on her tenth start was not in the reckoning, sent off at longer odds. The filly took a good start to hit the front at start and made every post a winning one. Attractor was in chase all the way from the beginning was hard at work in the straight but just couldn’t get to Cute Beast and eventually lost the runner-up berth to Emancipation in the closing stages. Simra was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Appy’s Pride (Princely Heir-Seize The Day / Dashmesh Stud) from the stables ofB.Puttanna who was winless from twelve starts came good to win the higher division of the Shantinikethan Plate. Racing in about fifth position always along the inner rails as Silhouette went on a start to finish bid, Appy’s Pride gained ground on the straight and head to the lead. Inside the last 200 metres Appy’s Pride drifted out with Fortunate One in chase just behind but still managed to maintain the lead and win by a length and three quarters. Silhouette finished third 1 1/2 lengths behind.