The 7 year old Happiness (International-Claribel / Mabejeona Stud) from trainer S.Santosh Kumar’s yard, the oldest among the dozen runners in the Negresco Trophy pulled it off successfully in a close finish. Happiness whose last win was fifteen months ago was entrusted to Hyderabad based jockey Nitin Singh and the connections were bullish with the mare being sent off as the favourite at 11-4. Taking the start from draw eleven, Happiness moved quickly to sit on the haunches of the leader The Alchemist. The bottom weighted Golden Steps raced a close third along the rails. Entering the home stretch Happiness had a clear run from the outside and grabbed the lead smoothly. Golden Steps started to gain ground from the inside but had to force its way through horses. The two began to fight out in the last 100 metres and Nitin’s perseverance paid off with Happiness edging out Golden Steps by a short neck. Tandav who was found to be loitering towards the rear till the last 300 metres came in late with a good gallop to take the third spot ahead of Badshah.

In the Sahyadri Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for horses rated 60 and above, the betting revolved around Yakeen carrying the top weight and the bottom weighted Triumphant. While Yakeen had run three weeks ago wherein the filly had finished second in a close finish Triumphant was coming back to the race track after 270 days. Yakeen (Hurricane State-Excitement / Track Supreme Stud) ridden by B.Mahesh did trainer M.Bobby proud by winning the sprint contest by a good five lengths. Yakeen set off on a start to finish bid and stretched out effortlessly inside the last two furlongs. Triumphant found Yakeen’s pace too hot and settled for the runner-up berth. Divine Friendship and Supreme rallied on to finish third and fourth respectively close behind Triumphant.

Trainer Micheal Eshwer and jockey Keanen Steyn combined to give the ‘Manjri’ silks a double through Miranda and Constantine. Miranda (Arabian Gulf-Magnifica / Manjri Stud) did well in her maiden attempt to win the Fame And Glory Plate. Perfectionist and Miranda were the smartest out from the gates and both of them headed to the front. They raced almost together till the distance marker and from there on Miranda travelled better with jockey Steyn doing well to gather the filly who was lugging in and finished three parts of a length in front at the wire. Sufficient Proof finished third another three lengths away while the favourite Shresth let down his followers with a tame fourth.

Constantine (Holy Roman Emperor-Coconut Squeak / Manjri Stud) won the higher division of the Crown Treasure Plate. Constantine who had shifted base from Western India still as a maiden from three starts was backed to the exclusion of the other runners for the 1100 metres dash. The youngster got to the front within the first furlong and kicked on in the straight to win unchallenged. Majestic Queen chased the winner all the way from the start till the winning post. Country’s Nobility finished third ahead of Always United. Zizzi was withdrawn before the race.

Trainer M.Bobby who saddled Yakeen in the Sahyadri Plate had earlier in the day led in Dominica (Senure-Barbados Skies / Manjri Stud) in the lower division of the Crown Treasure Plate. The favourite Royal Regina set off in front followed closely by Dominica. Approaching the last 250 metres Royal Regina started to tire out and Dominica readily grabbed the lead and stayed well till the finish. Thundering Cruise and Heavenly Divas took the second and third spot respectively while Royal Regina fell back to finish fourth. Blackwind was a non-starter in the race.

C.V.G.K.Kishore trained Spiritual Blue (Sedgefield-Spiritual Hymn / Jai Govind Stud) scored an encore in the Pattadakal Plate. After jumping out from an outward draw Spiritual Blue did not seem to be in a hurry and settled in about fifth or sixth early while Divine Love called the shots followed closely by the favourite Nanuk. Approaching the last furlong Nanuk failed to respond despite the urgings from the saddle and Spiritual Blue who was travelling three wide all the way picked up speed with jockey G.Y.Rajesh Babu going for it and managed to get the better of Devine Love close home. Cash Is King and Bucethalis charged in late to fill the judge’s frame.

P.C.Tejaswi trained Delta Delight (Don Micheletto-Fascinating Lady / Nakul Stud) was sent off as the favourite for the Mekedatu Plate following Afternoon Delight’s withdrawal before the start of the day. The 6 year old pulled it off successfully under S.Chetan Kalay in a race where whips were not allowed. Delta Delight hit the front early followed closely by Pamushana. With 300 metres left in the race Pamushana surged forward to take a slight advantage but that was short lived as Delta Delight under persisting pushing by Kalay regained the lost position and carried on till the finish to finally hold on from a fast approaching Saratoga Spring. Queens Colour finished third ahead of Pamushana in a close finish. Moon Raker was also withdrawn near the starting gates.

Ranjeet Shinde trained Flirting King (Alnasr Alwasheek-Habibi / Greenfield Stud) won the Dandeli Plate, the opener of the day. Shining Fame set off in front early and Flirting King was in chase. In the last 150 metres the two began to fight it out and Flirting King just managed to pull it off by a ‘nose’ in the dying moments of the race. The favourite Magnetic Power finished third in front of Friends Forever. Echota was withdrawn before the race.

For the professionals trainers Micheal Eshwer and M.Bobby saddled a double while among the jockeys only Keanen Steyn managed a brace.