A couple of small trainers this summer are punching above their weight and this is a good sign.  Put a hand up and accept a challenge  and then deliver the knock-out blow takes some doing against the seasoned big guns and Prasanna Kumar and Gregory Sandhu  have done it well so far this season  and this has certainly provided a shot in-the-arm for the small owners who have invested  small  with a big dream.

Prasanna, who to his credit has led in five winners added one more to the kitty, Danburite from his yard providing the two passionate owners, Harish Nayak and Fazal Ur Rehman a big reason to smile. Danburite after his lung-opener last month was judiciously prepared  and was strongly fancied in the Own Opinion Trophy. The talented son of Dylan Thomas produced his best in the hands of Imran Chisty to shed his maiden status in style. Akha Teej from Darius Byramji’s yard again finished second ahead of Rare And Famous while Jersey Wonder took the fourth spot.

Sandhu who already had three hits made it four through the last start winner Carbonado. Gregory and gang who brought a successful coup on Carbonado last time out again sweetly fancied the winner trusting the apprentice boy Munna Alam to do the job and Carbonado and Munna to the delight of the Sandhu camp did it again, winning the upper division of the Diablo Plate in style.  To the credit of Sandhu, it must be mentioned that he has immense belief in his abilities and is ready to test his skills, not afraid to take on the opposition.  Under his care Ungoogleable broke the ice and Carbonado provided an encore.

Another trainer who is no more small and is knocking at the big door is Suleiman. This hardworking youngster has started well and at the time of writing holds a whiphand in the first classic of season, the Fillies Championship Stakes, Angel Dust and Conspicuous two frontline  contenders from his yard.  In the past one would see that happen with Rashid Byramji,  lately with Pesi Shroff, Padmanabhan, Ganapathy  and Mallesh Narredu  but here is Suleiman with two fillies in with a definite chance to emerge the best of their sex and age  and whatever be the result  you need to compliment this youngster. Well done Suleiman Attaollahi.

 Imran Chisty who guided home Danburite later had it easy on the on-money favourite Alexandra Mills who won the Civil Service Cup without unduly extending herself. This Darius Byramji ward is in good nick and is certain to score when saddled next. Kingston Town shocked most finishing second ahead of Merion.  Pentagram  failed to jump out level while Pure Allure was out testing the conditions and gaining fitness for the tests ahead.

Referent from Arvind Ganapathy’s yard who won the first race of the season in a smart time was the overwhelming favourite in the Lumbini Stud Plate run over a sprint. But the favourite who was drawn badly was outclassed by the Neil Darashah-trained Goldberg who recorded his second straight success after making a winning debut in winter. Suzanna in line for a hat-trick after winning twice in her parent-centre, Kolkata did well to finish second ahead of Referent and it will not be long before this Bharath Singh ward will enter the winners’ circle here.

 The J Lingaiah Memorial Trophy was claimed by the public choice Havelock Prince from trainer Mahesh’s yard. Pradeep Chouhan who partnered the grey needed to win again in the stewards room following a valid protest by Suraj Narredu, rider of the second placed Zucchero. Suraj contested that Chouhan first pushed Anarosa onto him while he was making his move and then shifted out taking his ground in the final furlong. It was a close call.  And the stewards got it right, overruling the objection.

Earlier, in the opening event, the Warren Singh schooled Our Little Dragon  was strongly fancied but the dragon failed to spit fire, the second in demand at the betting ring, Southern Sky and Sandesh cruising home  without a fuss.

The seven to one shot Meherani from Britto’s yard won the Royal Challenge Plate snuffing out the belated effort of Joey who produced a big run after failing to gain a favourable position early on in the race. The favourite Breaking Away after raising hopes initially went out of gas like a pricked balloon the moment he was asked to quicken at the top of the straight.

In the final event, the lower division of the Diablo Plate, Zulfiqar garnered the maximum support on the strength of his performance against Strengthandwonder. But a few chose to support Talent Burst who had finished second behind Russian Link in winter. The fact that Russian Link detonated the field in the higher class this season only suggested that Talent Burst was in with a good shout. Well the Arjun Manglorkar ward powerfully piloted by Ashish gained the day pegging back Zulu Fantasy.  Rubi Rey caught the eye finishing an easy third and this mare will fill your pockets next time out.