Laxman Singh trained Veronese (Bushranger-Verbania / Nanoli Stud) kept up its winning trend to complete a hat-trick but this time as a stunning upset in the Golconda Oaks (Gr.2) at her home centre. The filly, a 20-1 shot among the half a dozen contenders won the grueling 2400 metres trip by a comfortable margin. For the winning owners, the Dhunjibhoys’, it was  double delight with a one-two in the race as they have a share in the runner-up also.

Frosty was very eager at start and set out to lead the pack. Vijay’s Empire raced second followed by Like Wise, Volantis, Veronese and Aster Rose. Passing the half-way stage Veronese made a swift move from around the field to join the leader Frosty. Inside the last 300 metres Frosty came under pressure from Veronese and despite trying hard could not hold on to the lead. Veronese surged ahead to pull it off by a little over an length from Frosty while the favourite Aster Rose came from behind to finish third. Like Wise ended up fourth.

In an exciting finish K.Satheesh trained Meritocracy (Excellent Art-Mawaheb) won the prestigious Byerly Turk Million (Gr.3) beating the favourite Southern Promise. Sarvatra rushed to the front to lead as the gates opened with Southern Promise in close attendance. Clarisa raced next with Meritocracy fighting for ground along the rails. Turning for home Southern Promise forged ahead to grab the lead. Fashion High came charging from the outside and Meritocracy was pushed by Chouhan between the runners. Meritocracy sped past Southern Promise inside the last 100 metres and poked her neck out at the finish. Fashion High was half a length behind in third. Eternal Angel filled the frame.

D.Netto trained Parushram (Equitable-Knight Vision / AB Stud) that had not won a race for almost 14 months bounced back to lift the Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy Memorial Trophy. Racing handily in fourth behind City Of Dreams, Baashagar and Kolors, Parushram improved from the outside and surged ahead going past the 300 metres. Parushram had gone well ahead when Machiavellianism, Happy Guy and Vijay Viraaj came flying from behind to finish a close second, third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Laxman Singh who led in the winner in the Oaks had earlier in the day scored a back to back double through Aragonda Princess and Naazaan. Aragonda Princess (Whatsthescript-Reforest) scored an encore in the Musical Morn Plate. Smartest at the gates Aroganda Princess shot ahead but settled in third when Cash Landing headed past to lead followed by Bharat Queen. Inside the last 300 metres Bharat Queen outclassed Cash Landing and forged ahead. Aragonda Princess was hard ridden by Suraj Narredu and the gelding travelled the better to beat Bharat Queen by over a length. The favourite could only finish third in front of Without Makeup.

Naazaan (Whatsthescript-Quiet Lane) that had lost out last time over 10 furlongs after completing a hat-trick bounced back to scrape through in the Fire Haven Cup. Naazaan led the field for the first 1000 metres and then fell back to second when Nauntaki surged ahead. On entering the straight Naazaan and Leading Legend made their move at the same juncture and charged to the front. Jockey Srinath picked up the stick and Naazaan moved slightly ahead. Handy Man came flying from the wide outside but the winning post came to the rescue of Naazaan who held on by the proverbial whisker. Leading Legend and Doroteo finished third and fourth respectively.

In a stunning upset Sk Waseem Ahmed trained Yet Another (Equitable-Queens Message) won the division I of the Salarjung Cup. Ice Cave went on a start to finish bid over the 1200 metres sprint. Yet Another improved gradually from the outside and fighting it out with the relentless Ice Cave travelled the better to pull it off by a comfortable margin. Globetrotter finished third and Bouncer fourth. Vijays Delight was withdrawn before the race.

The other two divisions of the race were won by fancied contenders. K.S.V.Prasad Raju’s Dublin (Admiralofthefleet-Captivating / Kunigal Stud) was ridden hard by Suraj Narredu to snatch the victory from Green Striker in the division II. Green Striker went on a start to finish bid and led till beaten by Dublin on the last stride. Roma Rouge after running prominently finished third ahead of Golden Phoenix.

Anupam Sharma trained Blaze Of Glory (Top Class-Intricate) completed an encore in the division III. Chasing the leader Nelly till the top of the straight Blaze Of Glory headed to the front without much fuss and thwarted the late bid of Dear Friend. Exclusive Monarchy and Proud Image finished third and fourth respectively.

Cirillo (Sedgefield-Zeisha), a 12-1 shot from trainer Faiyaz Shaikh’s stables that had not won a race in 19 starts finally came good to break the ice in the Next Move Plate, the concluding race of the day. Moving quickly from an outward draw to race behind the leader Royal Gold, Cirillo took charge approaching the last 300 metres and kicked on well till the finish. Angels Bay, Cannon Hope and Amazing Power came charging together towards the closing stages to fill the frame in that order in a close finish.