L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Plenipotent (Iffraaj-Beldon Hill / Mebajeona Stud) who was made to don the role of being the ‘best man’ to many of his accomplished stable companions in his career got his due in the division I of the Umraolal Gupta Memorial Cup. The seven furlongs race for horses in the highest category which featured Sunday’s card had eight of them lined up. Plenipotent who had displayed his fitness while running close to Tintinnabulation just seven days ago over a mile was indeed the favourite. Apprentice Ajit Singh took Plenipotent to the front right from the word ‘go’ with Palm Springs in chase and Black Bolt racing third. Plenipotent kept kicking on in the straight and it eventually ended up in a no-contest. There was no change even behind Plenipotent with Palm Springs keeping the runner-up berth in front of Black Bolt.

Kunigal Stud bred Carlton (Diffident-Celestrella) from the stables of S.A.Shehzad Abbas who had finished off the board only once from its ten starts was confidently ridden by P.Sai Kumar to lift the lower division. The 3 year old bay colt, youngest among the eight runners was prominent at start from the inside but fell back to be second last. Rounding the bend My Star headed past the leader Mukhtar. Carlton was brought from the wide outside to make its bid and the youngster galloped resolutely to head past all the half a dozen horses in front. The favourite Galiat began to force its way between Carlton and My Star but ran a bit erratic and by the time the rider Louis Beuzelin could get his mount on even keel the race was in the safe keeping of Carlton. My Star finished third.

S.S.Faisan Hassan trained Robust (Sussex-Celestial Dance) staved off the late challenge of Dusty Lady in the higher division of the Ch V Lakshmi Prasad Rao “Sirdesai” Sircilla Memorial Cup. Racing in about fifth or sixth from the start always four wide, Inside the last 300 metres Robust stormed ahead to grab the lead and opened a good lead that saved the day for the 6 year old in the end. Dusty Lady came charging towards Robust, bridging the gap with every stride in the last 200 metres but failed by half a length at the finish. Sweety Girl was third another four lengths away.

Gaarswood (Home Affairs-Admiration) trained by R.H.Seqeira, carried the public purse to an easy win in the lower division. Sent off as the favourite at Evens, Gaarswood waited in about third or fourth till the last 300 metres. Emerald Reef had in the meanwhile surged forward to grab the lead but was no match when Gaarswood came with a terrific turn of foot under apprentice Deepak Singh. Prince of Arabia and Over Shadow finished third and fourth respectively.

K.Satheesh schooled Mighty Swing (Noverre-Farmers Swing) made it a pillar to post victory in the Birthday Girl Plate. The juvenile filly on her third start was sent off as half money favourite for the 1000 metres dash. Hitting the front right from the start Mighty Swing kept stretching out effortlessly under Deep Shanker. Roi’s Cruise who was in chase of the winner right from the beginning finished on to be second. Aakash Vani and Pegasus filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Trainer K.Satheesh and jockey Deep Shanker pulled off an upset through Shimmering Ice (Rebuttal-Springbrakemistake) in the lower division of the Flying Treasure Plate, the last race of the day. Fair And Square in the lead was joined by Shimmering Ice as the neared the final turn and the two stable companions moved away from the rest on the straight. With a furlong left Shimmering Ice travelled the better to surge ahead and pulled off a stunning upset on a day dominated by well fancied runners. Golden Arrow warmed up late to beat Fair And Square for the second place. Montauk was withdrawn before the race.

There were no surprises in the higher division with K.S.V.Prasad Raju trained Go For Gold (Rebuttal-Noorain) ridden confidently by Suraj Narredu to justify the short price. Twentyfivepips and Whats Up raced together in front with a clear advantage over the rest till the top of the straight. Whats Up packed up soon but Twentyfivepips held on to the lead till the last 300 metres. Go For Gold rallied strongly with a furlong left to grab the lead and Suraj rode confidently out in front staving off Military Belle’s effort. Catherine finished third in front of Komo Komo Komo. Coral Springs was a non-starter in the race.

The 3 year old Net Champ (Burden of Proof-Sunny Clime Kunigal Stud) from Donald Netto’s yard won the 1800 metres Bobbili Plate with a measure of comfort. Jockey Louis Beuzelin took Net Champ to the front within the first furlong and was never headed since. Net Champ came into the straight with a lead of over four lengths and then kicked on effortlessly to score its maiden win. Gentle Chief ended up second in front of Upon A Star.

Anupam Sharma trained Sunday Beauty (Roi Maudit-Triple Time) gave no anxious moments while winning the Satavahana Cup, the opener of the day. Held back towards the rear while Rapidest called the shots among the five runners, Sunday Beauty was brought from the outside by K.Mukesh Kumar and when asked for an effort the filly picked up speed with ease and left Rapidest behind by a lengthening margin. Chocolate Soldier finished third.