After countering stunning upsets on day one of the Derby weekend, punters staged a comeback of sorts as fancied horses obliged on the Derby Day with Be Safe leading the brigade.

The pre-Derby attraction of the day was the BK Rattonsey Memorial Muilti-Million and a dozen aspiring juveniles faced the starter seeking their maiden victory. Colombiana, on the strength of his last start second, was installed the 2-1 favourite. Yash Narredu was quick at the jump and soon settled Colombiana in second as Arakawah dashed eagerly to the front. Kyoto and Stateira were in close attendance.

Colombiana took the initiative to surge forward and peg back Arakawah soon on turning for home. Yash rode out aggressively and had a handy lead approaching the distance post. Kyoto started to warm up thereabouts and started to inch closer. Stateira was making her bid but was taking time getting into full flow. Colombiana dug deep and thwarted the constant threat posed by Kyoto who was closing in threateningly. Yash managed to keep Colombiana going and the M Narredu trainee galloped to safety, winning by a narrow margin.

Senorita Evita (Burden of Proof – Si Senora, Kunigal Stud) staged one of the most dramatic rallies to cover a huge deficit and finish with a timely run to knock off Gangnam Style under the shadow of the winning post. Gangnam Style had stolen a march once into the straight and was pacing ahead without showing any signs of slowing down. Jockey P Trevor tore through horses and set about in chase with a little over a furlong to go. Gangnam Style by then, had a comfortable lead and going at the clip he was galloping at, it looked a Herculean task ahead for Senorita Evita. However, Trevor, who seems to be doing little wrong of late, set off in chase and soon was covering ground at a brisk rate. Senorita Evita responded with a brilliant burst in the final 100 to down Gangnam Style and win in a sensational manner. The supporters of Senorita Evita screamed hoarse as she arrived with an electrifying run to return triumphant from a position most would have failed to recover. With such a electrifying display of speed, Senorita Evita promises to be prominent in the future sprint races and is developing into a fiery fast filly.

Shroff’s You Royal Majesty (Multidimensional – You Are My Miracle, Usha Stud) also displayed sparkling form while jumping out of the gates in a flash and then producing a blazing gallop to build on that zippy start. Polydences had led them in and soon Your Royal Majesty came to challenge. Your Royal Majesty, with Zervan in the saddle, then unleashed a lethal gallop to draw away from them all and score her second successive victory this year. She made light of the heavy impost (61.5 kgs) to thump the opposition and earn her promotion to the higher class.

Mansoor Shah’s Midnight Dancer (Hurricane Run – Change Track, Bhaktawar Stud) shrugged off the hike in trip and won the mile-and-half race like a champion stayer. He followed Bethpage into the straight and had to cover some ground to catch up with Bethpage, who was also in fine rhythm. Midnight Dancer arrived with a bullish run and simply sped past the hapless Bethpage to deliver in style. Within split seconds Midnight Dancer had amassed a huge lead and ended up winning by a wide margin. Bethpage steered clear of the rest, while Argyle Pink showed some resolve in taking the third spot. Saporelli yet again disappointed and after being prominent at the turn, simply faded out.

Sacred Fire (Multidimensional – Psychic Flame, Usha Stud) showed marked improvement after her educative run last time out and sailed away unchallenged to bring about her maiden victory. She had to work that bit though as Warpath looked firmly in command as they turned for home. Warpath galloped on and enjoyed a healthy lead in the first half of the straight. Mogadishu was the one who dealt with the leader and soon started to bridge the gap at a brisk rate. Soon Sacred Fire, who went out at on-money, arrived with a blistering run with PS Chouhan astride. Past the distance post, Sacred Fire had lit up and was scorching the turf. She soon sped past the duo in front and finished on strongly to score a facile win. Mogadishu had to be content with the second spot, while Sweep Aside ran on late to take the third spot ahead of Pearl Secret and Warpath.

Vixen (Noverre – Dreaming Waters, Sohna Stud) with PS Chouhan in the saddle upset the applecart of hot favourite Satellite in the day’s opening race. All seemed well as Satellite, looking to score her second victory took charge in the straight and galloping towards the winning post with a useful lead in the bank. Vixen improved to second and Glorious Reward was shaping up on the outside. Into the final furlong, it still seemed that Satellite was heading safely to the finish when suddenly Vixen came alight with a sizzling finish. Vixen devoured ground rapidly in the final fifty to shock the favourite and storm ahead to win comfortably. Satellite found one better and had to be content with the second spot, while glorious Reward could not find much and ended a tame third.

Grey Mist (Kingda Ka – Silver Casp, Nanoli Stud), unlike Satellite, saved last minute blushes with a determined CS Jodha not letting up right through to the wire. He had a hard ride as Grey Mist moved up from the fifth spot and faced a brief challenge from Blazing Fire early in the straight. Once that threat was tackled, Grey Mist led by a small margin and was within striking distance from others behind. Rock The Turf came up to her haunches as CS Jodha drove Grey Mist powerfully. Then came the subtle but stiff challenge from In My Life, who waved through horses to find the rail run. In My Life finished on menacingly close as the winning post rescued Grey Mist in her timely finish. Another split second and that might not have been the case.

Izarra (Placerville – One Magic Moment, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) with apprentice jockey Ajinkya in the saddle carved out a solid victory with the lad having to work constantly right past the post. Blackbean had a good lead coming into the straight and he held on bravely until the distance post. Izarra had to cover some ground and Ajinkya was urging him on. They got past Blackbean with less than a furlong to go, but then had to fight off the fast finishing Laurus Pride. In the end, Izarra prevailed as Laurus Pride fell short by half length. Dia came on strongly to take the place money.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff, M Narredu and Mansoor Shah saddled a double each, while jockey PS Chouhan scored a lucrative double.