Aware of the fact that the best lady in the Bengaluru campus, Alexandra Mills had chosen to skip the the `Ladies Derby', the Bangalore Oaks, Dallas Todywalla from Mumbai and Leo D' Silva decided to take a shot in third plum of the season and the two seasoned campaigners were richly rewarded, Dallas leading in the favourite Athens who spared a `neck' at the wire to the Leo schooled Alameda. The Padmanabhan-trained grey, Pure Allure who was seen finishing on well at the end in the 1000 Guineas raised the hopes of her connections at the top of the straight but the grey only flattered to deceive, Athens despite shifting out edging out Alameda in the strong and confident hands of the leading Irish professional Colm O'Donoghue who is having a good run, booting home the well fancied contestants from the Manjri Stud Farm sporting the colours of Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry.

O'Donoghue was happy to set the pace on the winner and though the favourite came under pressure in the final furlong, O'Donoghue in no mood to let the initiative slip, packed punch on the Dallas ward to the delight of the Mumbai camp.

To the credit of Suleiman Attaollahi, it must be mentioned that the youngster has now learned the ropes to maintain winning streak, Arrogant Approach fresh from his last start winning effort taking home the New Year Cup. The favourite Speed Six who had shocked most winning his last start despite not looking at his best in his last essay shocked the followers of form, this time out finishing in the ruck when looking fit as a fiddle. Duma who had assumed command before Arrogant Approach produced a winning gallop gained the runner-up spot ahead of Acclaimed who appears to have gone of the boil after his journey to Bengaluru from Pune.

Trainer B Prithviraj who is enjoying one of his best seasons this winter struck again with his trusted new friend Gnaneswar. The duo strongly fancied their chances in the upper division of the Splendid Role Plate and despite not being favourably placed when the heads turned from home, Good Fruit produced an astounding gallop to spoil Candice's party. The Dominic ward Sairani opened the favourite before the price on the top fancy kept going up like the mercury level in summer. The filly hit the front and ran like a scalded cat before packing up and eventually finishing in the ruck.

Royal Rein from Amit Caddy's yard looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before he delighted his supporters winning in the hands of Imran Khan who got a chance ride after Suraj came a cropper on Style N Grace in the opening event. For the benefit of Suraj fans it must be revealed that the top pro escaped with a minor injury and will be back doing what he does best, consistenly booting winners in the week ahead.

The moment Suraj fell, Faustina's chances in the opening event recieved a big boost and the Sandhu ward had it easy at end, Ryan Marshall raising no sweat to start the favourite trend on Saturday.

After the public choice won the first event, three more favourites joined the party including the promising Oxford Opinion from trainer Ganapathy's yard. The youngster was piloted in copybook fashion by Mumbai pro Sandesh. Desert God from Padmanabhan's yard caught the eye finishing a game second despite looking a trifle gross at the parade ring and is one for the notebook.

Anarosa rightly garnered the maximum support in the nine furlong Amber Regent Plate and the bred in the purple shed her maiden status snuffing out the challenge of Native Force.

Earlier Abba from Arjun Manglorkar's yard was another favourite who punched the bookmakers hard, winning the lower division of the Kitty Bank Plate from Rubi Rey.

The winner is in good heart and is set to provide an encore while Rubi Rey is fit and ready to enter the winners' circle when saddled next.