Micheal Eshwer trained Dragon (Phoenix Tower-Dramatikos / Manjri Stud) proved to be far superior from the rest in the Vidharti Motors Cup, a 2000 metres race for horses rated 60 and above. The gelding had won a nine furlongs race here before heading for the Golconda Derby at Hyderabad. The saddle shifted badly in that race and the rider just could not offer any assistance. After returning to the home centre Dragon was installed as the favourite among the seven runners for the ten furlongs trip.

Lads Ability was quick to take over the running as the gates opened followed by Kaguya Himei, Storming Home, Dragon, No Doubt, Lucky Emerald and CArisa. The order remained unchanged till approaching the final turn with the runners in a single line formation. On entering the home straight Kaguya Himei made the first move to forge ahead. Jockey Suraj Narredu had very little work to do on Dragon as the gelding picked up momentum inside the last furlong and shot ahead leaving the rest well behind. Storming Home with a spirited effort necked out Kaguya Himei on the last stride for the runner-up berth. Lads Ability after all the running in front ended up fourth.

Trainer Feroz M Khan was the most successful professional, ending the day with three winners. Counter Point, Abderus and Country’s Fortune were the victors from the stable. Sent off as the favourite among the eleven runners for the Nilgiris Plate, Abderus scored an impressive victory. Abderus was off to a good start and settled nicely in fourth behind Skyjet, Ice Splendour and Azure Fire. Rounding the final turn Abderus made headway from the outside and was in the lead on top of the straight. The gelding extended the lead to five lengths at the finish and Champion Star rallied on to take the second spot. Azure Fire and Grand Celebration finished third and fourth respectively.

Counter Point (Dylan Thomas-Growyourown / Nanoli Stud) scored a maiden win in the Star Angel Plate. Tandav rushed to take the lead early in the race and Counter Point settled to track the leader. On entering the home stretch Counter Point tackled the leader and surged ahead. With no serious threat emerging from behind Counter Point extended the lead and won by a big margin of six lengths. Tandav fought for it and held on to the second place from Concentration. Fantasy Living finished fourth. Aquostic was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the starting gates.

Country’s Fortune (Roi Maudit-Sunny’s Symphony / Country Stud) managed to keep away Al Dorado in the higher division of the Siachin Plate. Al Dorado raced ahead early to hit the front and Country’s Fortune joined up from the outside. The two raced together all the way and started to fight it out inside the last 200 metres. Country’s Fortune travelled the better from the outside and surged ahead by three parts of a length from Al Dorado. Cool Dude and Amazing Connection finished third and fourth respectively in a close finish. The favourite Speed Queen tried to take the path on the inside and with the crowding of horses from the outside she was locked up for room and fell back to finish fifth.

Sent off as the favourite at 5-4 among the dozen runners, Grand Success (Catienus-Maria T / Poona Stud) won the lower division. Racing in about fifth till turning for home, the K.Somashekar trainee improved swiftly through the field to challenge Country’s Sepoy who had by then taken charge. The two moved away from the rest and with jockey S.John going for it, Grand Success travelled the better to win well from Country’s Sepoy. Happiness finished third many lengths behind. 

Pratap Kamath trained Bold Police (Brave Act-Traffic Police / Kunigal Stud) who had not won a race for nearly four years now regained its lost form to spring a surprise in the higher division of the Tutricorin Plate. Diamond Attraction set off on a start to finish bid and brought the foeld into view on the straight. Blue Zone, Bold Police and Ruthba began to charge towards the front runner inside the last 400 metres and jockey S.John managed to get Bold Police in front. He continued to ride out and the 8 year old kicked on gamely to hold out the bid of Ruthba by three parts of a length. Extra Spark and Kazuri finished third and fourth respectively. London Eye was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the starting gates.

P.C.Tejaswi’s Albatross (Royal Gladiator-So Ravishing / Pratap Stud) was another surprise in the lower division. Siddhani from the outermost draw rushed quickly towards the fence as the gates opened to get to the front. Approaching the final furlong Siddhani was still in the lead. Albatross racing in about fourth or fifth till the top of the straight started to come up from the outside and with a sustained gallop surged past Siddhani with 50 metres left from home. Trust Me Boy was third and Amazing fourth.   

The second in demand Celestar Lucifer Sam-Celesta / Sans Craintes Stud) from trainer C.D.Monnappa’s stables pulled it off in the Charmudi Ghat Plate, the opening race of the day. Racing handily wiyh the front bunch Celestar grabbed the lead from Chrome inside the last 200 metres and kicked on to register a win by one length. The on-money favourite Likeastar who could not be with the field initially started to warm up late to be second. Order Order finished third ahead of Chrome. Always Resolute was troublesome in the gates and was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

The bottom weighted Vettel from trainer C.V.G,K,Kishore’s yard made every post a winning one in the Yamuna Plate. Vettel jumped out smartly from an advantageous draw and rushed to take the lead. Neron joined from the outside as they approached the 800 metres and Ice Brown was a close third along the fence. On entering the straight Vettel continued to hold the advantage and Ice Brown came through the shortest way to challenge. The two fought out in the last 300 metres and it was Vettel who held on gamely by half a length. Time To Time finished third ahead of New Sunrise.