Trainer Sulaiman Attaollahi’s three straight Derby victories. Sandesh’s high-five. Public rage Serjeant At Arms’ classic double and the record 17 crore transactions at the tote were the highlights of the Kingfisher Ultra Derby. And the fact that most regulars and first timers struck gold, seven favourites coming through in the nine-event card made it a highly satisfying sport outing on D-day.

The champion colt Serjeant At Arms proved best in the big test. The star performer from the Nanoli Stud Farm settled the issue even before the race came on a boil in the blue riband of the season and that effectively illustrates that this classic son of Rahy’s Serenade is in a class of his own.  Sandesh rates him high. Khusroo Dhunjibhoy emphatically disclosed that this is just the start and more will follow in the months ahead. And the unassuming pro Sulaiman simply said: “Good horses make good trainers and I’m lucky to have a good `Serjeant’ in my yard.

The railbirds after his victory in the colts trusted him to land the Derby riches. And they too returned  home rich successfully taking the big punt on the champion at a small price (60/100) in a big event. Such was the confidence the `Serjeant’ instilled and he justified the confidence of all his supporters in resplendent style.

Khusroo and Deepa Dhunjibhoy who proudly led the winner of the blue riband disclosed that what they like about this champion is the way he does the job. “His cool approach to the task on hand and his ability to quickly shut out a contest is what separates him from the rest,” said Deepa while lauding the big effort of Sandesh on D-day.

In the biggest plum of the season, 'Serjeant' apart, the Arjun Manglorkar schooled Aster Rose impressed most finishing a game second. The bred in the purple filly who was a trifle unlucky in the Fillies Championship won by her stablemate Commonwealth produced her best to gain the runner-up berth and her progress in the months ahead is certain to evoke interest.

The darling of the crowd, Sandesh started the day on a winning note booting home the B Puttanna-trained Legcay Dream in the opening event before he packed punch on the Arjun Manglorkar-trained Quaker Ridge who completed a hat-trick, winning the Kolkata Cup. The winner is in great heart and is set to emerge the horse of the season.

Next astride the on-money favourire Secret Pursuit from Padmanabhan yard, Sandesh needed to stretch every sinew to edge out the Hyderabad challenger Mahathi at the shadow of the winning post in the Hyderabad Cup to the delight of the followers of form.

Back on the big crowd favourite Serjeant At Arms in the Derby, Sandesh  was happy to be up with the pace, tracking the leaders Whomakestherules and Ice Glacier before he swooped on them to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong.

“He is such a relaxed and easy horse to ride. He will do everything for you. All you need is to guide him through,” said Sandesh adding that he indeed considered himself lucky to strike the winning partnership with the `Serjeant’.

In line for the high-five, Sandesh had it easy on another public choice Lard Darlington, another good youngster from Padmanabhan’s yard who finally broke ice after his failed attempts in Mumbai and Chennai. Lord Darlington is a decent good youngster and more will be heard of him in the weeks ahead.

The upper division of the Mumbai Cup run over a sprint was claimed by the five to one shot Back In a Flash from Hidayath Khan’s yard who recorded an encore. The favourite Havelock Princess and the well supported Emidio despite the best efforts from their riders failed to match strides with the winner who appears to have struck rich form.

The lower division of the event saw the second in demand at the betting ring Arabelle from Mallesh Narredu’s yard making every post a winning one in the hands of Suraj. The on-money favourite Royal Sceptre who came into Neil Darashah’s yard after posting a brilliant win on debut in winter raced in patches and only finished second. This effort of the runner-up is best ignored and it will pay to persevere with him again when next saddled.

On the strength of his impressive effort behind Supreme General who was fancied by his trainer Karthik Ganapathy to upset the applecart of Serjeant At Arms in the Derby, the Dominic schooled Tzar was the top fancy in the Chennai Cup. The public choice justified the confidence of his supporters romping home in convincing fashion snuffing out the challenge of Running Hand who has now finished second thrice in the season.

Another favourite Amazing Skill from Satish Narredu’s yard won the Delhi Cup run over a mile in a thriller from lesser fancied Shivalik Girl. Suraj who piloted the winner brought the curtains down, guiding home Arabelle without a fuss.