Well after six meetings, the on-money  punters  enjoyed a good run under the summer sun, three on-money favourites nailing bold colours to the mast  and two well backed favourites romping home in the eight-event card  on Saturday.

On the strength of his impressive performance, second behind the classic hopeful Angel Dust in his last essay, the Ganapathy ward Southern Surprise  was backed to the exclusion of his eight rivals and the public rage cruised home in the hands of leading pro Sandesh in the opening event run over a distance of seven furlongs. Sea Lord made a favourable impression on debut finishing a game second and it will pay to follow him when next saddled. Chef D’Ouvre, it was clear needed this run and this filly from champion trainer Pesi Shroff’s yard is certain to shed her maiden status before travelling to Pune.

Competing in the D Kumar Siddanna Memorial Cup after his satisfactory effort in the Poonawalla Multi-Million in Mumbai, the talented Multitude was strongly fancied to score despite the fact that the Vijay Singh ward was up against seasoned sprinters. But the second on-money favourite confidently piloted in copybook fashion by the young and promising Yash Narredu produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to edge out Equine Love to the delight of the followers of form.

Next was the Dominic schooled Russian Link. Fresh from his success from his only start in winter, Russian Link who looked a picture of fitness at the paddock parade provided jockey Imran Khan an arm-chair ride to success in the Mauritius Pearl Plate. Owner Chandrashekar Rai, confident that Russian Link had no opposition worthy of mention in this event brought in his son Pratheek to lead in the winner and it proved to be a memorable moment for the engineering student, posing with his dad after Russian Link cantered home. Russian Link, it is needless to mention will be heavily penalized for his effortless victory but the talented son of Noverre, make a note has it in him to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. Prize Finder did well to take the second spot ahead of Multi App and it will not be long before this Lokanath ward earns his summer cornbill with a good rider to guide his fortunes.

In the final event, the Camineto Plate, the Prithviraj schooled Knighthood donkey-licked the opposition in the hands of Gnaneshwar. The winner, who was strongly fancied to make a winning debut before he was withdrawn suffering an injury on his right fore cannon in the winter was a favourite with all track reporters who were floored by his performances on the trial track.  The bookies’ network also circled the Prithviraj ward and he rightly opened the first favourite in the morning odds before the price drifted out to (4/1) before the event.

The drift in price on the smashing winner was largely due to the fact that word was out from the insiders and the right connections that Knighthood suffered from a minor wind problem and that he was likely to choke subjected to pressure during the race. But at end it was not the `Knight’ but all his 11 rivals who were seen choking in their effort to match strides with the `Knight’ who after opening (4/1) was slammed down to (9/4) before the start.

The `gone in the wind’ story which is right, it appears cost the connections of Humming Bird dear. They knew that the `Bird’ was in with a chance but following  Knighthood’s story  they got a lot stronger and in fact it was Humming Bird who opened the favourite at the start. But the `Knight’  clipped the wings of the bird even before she was in full flight and at end all Humming Bird could do was finish third behind the Ganapathy –trained King Of Kings who covered acres of ground in the final furlong to edge out Humming Bird to the runner-up berth. Mention should be made that Humming Bird lost the second place largely due to the fact that her jockey Jagadeesh dropped his hands in the final furlong and the jockey needs to be penalised for his negligence which cost the SHP punters big.

The lower division of the Sir Charles Todhunter Memorial Cup run over a sprint was claimed by the seven to one shot Sun Glow from Rajesh Narredu’s yard brilliantly piloted by his elder brother Suraj. Well this it appears was an advance wedding gift from Suraj to Rajesh who is tying the knoton Friday. The favourite Arizona Sun from Dallas Todywalla’s yard despite being favourably placed at the top of the straight lacked the gas in the tank to make a race of it and eventually finished a tame third behind Sakchi.

Earlier in the upper division, it was Satish Narredu who dropped the biggest bombshell, his friendless ward Son Of Stars pegging back the effort of the favourite Remembrance of You. The winner paid a rich dividend of Rs 1,183 on a tenner at the tote window. West Side Story didn’t appeal at the paddock parade and is certain to benefit most after this essay. J Chinoy  took  Hendrix, who was racing first time after being gelded, on a conducted tour of Bengaluru and in an earlier race the boy did the same on One to Note in the Guindy Plate, needlessly racing all the way wide, happy to finish out of the frame. Chinoy needs to be told that all this go easy acts will not be tolerated at this centre.

The Leo D’Silva-trained Whispering Pines who was withdrawn last week shocked the followers of form winning the Prabalo Plate in the hands of Kiran Naidu. The favourite Super Strong from Rajesh Narredu’s yard raced in patches and finished third behind another Leo ward Pegasus who was fancied in this event.

Knocking at the door, Midtown Delight like Knighthood was strongly backed to score and the Mahesh ward did just that in convincing fashion, winning the Guindy Plate in the hands of T S Jodha to the delight of the two popular doctors, T S Ravindra and Ravi Shankar, the proud owners of Midtown Delight. Mister Grey caught the eye while finishing third and is one for the notebook.