The classy Ice Glacier recorded her second straight classic success, winning the `Ladies’ Derby, the Bangalore Oaks in effortless style. The double classic winner from the famed Poonawalla Stud Farm, back after a minor setback in training chose to set her own pace in the gruelling mile-and-half trip before she outpaced her five rivals without unduly extending herself to emerge the best of her age and sex.

The Scottish pro David Allan who partnered the top filly from the stables of Padmanabhan in the Mysore Derby confidently piloted the Arazan out of Icebreaker public rage setting a good solid pace all through the classic journey before he detonated the rest at the top of the straight. It was a superb effort from the `Queen’ and on the strength of this performance, Ice Glacier will start, a leading contender in her next target, the Ultra Mumbai Derby on the first Sunday of February.

The facile victory of Ice Glacier brought the smile back on the face of Padmanabhan and David Allan after the below par effort of Desert God in his first essay in Dubai on Thursday, while Zavaray, Simone, Pundole, J’jeebhoy and Capt.Jamshed Appoo were delighted with the progress made by Ice Glacier, aware that the `Queen’ is peaking right to do battle with the many Kings in the big test ahead next month.

“She is nice and tough and she strutted her stuff in resplendent style. The fact that she negotiated the Derby trip without really stretching herself only confirms that she has the class and ability to take on the best in the circuit and that’s most satisfying,” said Simone in a chat at the briefing of the Madras Auction Sales later in the evening.

Zavaray Poonawalla, who played a stellar role, helping MRC in their auction sales later revealed that he was most satisfied with the performance of Ice Glacier and was looking forward for a repeat on the Indian Derby-day at Mahalaxmi.

For the record, Watchmyscript was withdrawn before the six fillies came under the starter’s flag, suffering from a bout of high fever. Talladega from Arjun Manglorkar’s yard finished second ahead of Adulation while the Mumbai hopeful Geranium plodded home fourth. Star Nijinsky, the winner of the Hyderabad Derby disappointed most finishing last and it is clear that all is not well with this classic winner from Hidayat’s yard.

The principal added attraction on the `Ladies’ day, the New Year Cup  was claimed by the favourite Bold Command in record time. The Ganapathy ward powerfully piloted by leading pro Srinath edged out the plucky Mickey Mouse after a ding-dong battle all through the straight. The winner clocked 1:23.78 bettering the existing record (1:23.87) registered by Rhapsidion Snow in 2009. This was Bold Command’s second straight success and taking into account that he is on top of his game, this talented son of Arazan  is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. Auriga finished third ahead of Ace Bucephalus while Sea Fairey was all at sea in this company.

On the strength of his eye-catching effort in his debut, finishing a suggestive third behind the winner Autocratic and Turf Star who went on to shed his maiden status in his next start, Lord Buckingham was fancied sweetly by the right connections while the Darius Byramji schooled Bostwana Bolt gained the topbilling on his brilliant performances on the trial track.

The French saddle artiste Cedric Segeon took the Warren Singh to the front the moment, the dozen juveniles jumped out to take the Madras Auction Sales Trophy and was never headed, cruising home with plenty in the saddle. Miniver Rose again finished second ahead of Botswana Bolt while Lawrence Of Arabia was seen finishing on purposefully at end and is one for the notebook.

On a day most fancied contestants waltzed to victory to the delight of the railbirds, Ark Royal from Irfan Ghatala’s yard was the shortest priced favourite to score in the Ranganathittu Plate. Suraj Narredu rode a copybook race on the winner who is set to provide an encore when saddled next.

The Prasanna Kumar schooled Just Fabulous won the opening event, the lower division of the Native Chieftan Plate run over a sprint. The 15 to one shot edged out Real Generous while the public choice Arziki performed below par.

The topweighted Dubai One who impressed most in his last start came up trumps in the Malpe Plate chalking out a convincing win in the hands of apprentice Surya. The lesser fancied Rafa was a trifle unlucky needing to shift out at a crucial stage before launching his final assault and this cost the Dominic ward dear at end. Siobhan finished a tame third. The runner-up is back into his own and it will not be long before he enters the winners’ circle.

Another topweight who scored comfortably was the Sirajuddin-trained Diamond Green who proved too good for her 11 rivals in the upper division of the Native Chieftan Plate. Srinath who produced his best on Bold Command produced another top draw effort on the public choice who justified the confidence of the railbirds. Indian Brahmos made a belated charge to gain the runner-up spot ahead of Feet On Fire.

The final event, the Kanchanganga Plate saw Suraj pilot the Imtiaz-trained Possimpossible to a popular victory, pegging back the effort of I’ve Got Clout in convincing fashion. The Prithviraj schooled Fotogenic was never in the hunt and it will pay to follow her next time out.