Most old hats in the game were of the view that he lacked the class. But on form he selected himself. Two victories from three starts including the Royal Salute to the `Majesty’ in his last effort made it clear that the Prasanna Kumar ward was at his best.  He was enjoying each exercise and his connections provided him the opportunity to add to the kitty, fearlessly pitting him against star performers, Zachary, Acclaimed and Speed Six in the BTC Anniversary Cup on the eve of the blue riband of the season, the Kingfisher Derby and the gutsy performer did it again and now with three wins under his belt is in line to wear the Horse Of The Season crown.

Making his way to the owners stand, Royal Salute’s (Noverre - Savannah, Sohna Stud) popular owner Chandrashekar Rai revealed that he will be hard to down if he races along the fence. Leading pro Imran Khan who partnered him in his two earlier wins did just that. No sooner the 11 runners came under the starter’s flag for the seven furlongs trip, Imran pushed his mount ahead and gained pole position. The rest came easy.  The winner dictated the pace and the moment he stole a march approaching the final furlong it was all over bar the shouting. Agatta warmed up late to finish second ahead of Acclaimed while joint favourite Zachary from Pesi Shroff’s yard who appeared rusty failed to display his true potential.

“He is a killer if he gets to race on the rails. And I was confident the moment he hit the front and grabbed the rail,” said Chandrashekar Rai. 

While Imran Khan excelled on Royal Salute, it was the Mumbai champion Trevor Patel who stole the limelight recording a grand treble to the delight of his supporters.

Trevor opened his account through the four to one shot Conspicuous (Burden of Proof - Anonymity, Kunigal Stud) in the Nawab Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup. The winner who failed to make her presence felt in the Fillies Championship Stakes, the mile long trip, a trifle beyond her compass, produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to edge out Garuda, also owned by Rai brothers. Heaven Is Here finished third ahead of  top market fancy Bold Appeal  who suffered bad interference at the start  while the other bookies choice New Crown who had made a smashing debut earlier in the season finished in the ruck.

Next Trevor produced a near-perfect effort on the Dallas Todywalla-trained Ageless (Arazan - Lindsay, Poona Stud) in the K N Guruswamy Memorial Cup. Advantageously placed in at the scales and looking a picture of fitness in the parade ring, Ageless garnered the maximum support and she readily justified the confidence of her supporters, assuming command at the distance post before pegging back Priceless Ace. Last start winner, The Lieutenant was a big disappointment and this Neil Darashah ward, it is clear is no more a force to reckon with this summer.

In line for a treble, Trevor had it easy on the public choice Renee (Glory of Dancer - Venus Arising, Nanoli Stud) in the concluding event. This Neil Darashah ward is in fine nick and is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. All Proof who lost a couple of lengths at the gate finished on well at end to take the third spot behind Fresh Start and is one for the notebook.

Earlier on-money favourite Mister Majestic (Verenar- Stringsofmyheart, Capricorn Stud) who had let down large following in his last essay proved too good in the Asian Racing Trophy, providing the talented Arshad Alam an arm-chair ride to success.

The four to one shot Supreme Dominator (Officer - Tanzanite Lady, Ruia Stud) fresh from his victory two weeks ago provided an encore, winning the upper division of the R M Puttanna Memorial Trophy in the hands of Suraj Narredu. Russian Link from Dominic’s yard was the overwhelming favourite in this event but the public choice strongly fancied by the connections after taking charge at the top of the straight failed to match strides with the winner at end.

The Pradeep Anniah schooled Romans Run (Alnasr Alwasheek - Rewind, Yeravada Stud) quietly fancied by the insiders and the right connections brought off a successful coup in the Indian Pattern Committee Cup run over a mile. The winner without unduly being extended by Vivek donkey-licked the opposition and on the strength of this performance will chalk up another win when saddled next.

The Nosher Cama schooled Avant Garde (Aqlaam - Silk Road, Equus Stud) was sweetly fancied by the Mumbai camp in the opening event and he gained topbilling despite the fact that the Dominic schooled Adolf who had caught the eye while covering more than 20 lengths to finish close second beind Admiral Messi in his last effort was strongly fancied by the Dominic group. Adolf again failed to break level from the gates though it must be mentioned that he would not have beaten the winner on this day. Amazing Charm from Sulaiman’s yard again finished.