Neil Darashah trained Apache Sunrise (Excellent Art-Guest Connections / Poona Stud) won the H.H. Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy impressively despite looking to come under threat from Michaela in the closing stages of the nine furlongs race. The bay colt that sported the ‘Poonawalla’ silks for the first time has an incredible record, having lost only once – the Colt’s Championship Stakes at Bangalore- from six starts. If things go as per plan for the stable Apache Sunrise will be pitched in as the favourite in the Derby at Mysore.

Magistero set the pace from the start with Apache Sunrise and Michaela close behind followed by the rest. On entering the straight Apache Sunrise headed past Magistero without any fuss and jockey Srinath was nursing the youngster without exerting any pressure. With about 100 metres left from the finish Michaela started to move up with big strides and came up threateningly close. Srinath was quick to realize the situation and urged his mount to quicken and that the youngster did in a magnificent manner like a true champion.  Magistero held on in third from Blazing Touch.  

Srinath had earlier piloted Vishal Yadav trained Anvill Star Rebuttal-Kabubina / Hazara Stud) to victory in the Sanctity Trophy. After a good jump from draw 7, Anvill Star improved gradually and had got to the inner rails to settle in about fifth as they went past the 1000 metres marker. As they rounded the final turn Srinath had pulled his mount on the outside and was up with a challenge with Class Above who by then had slipped into the lead. Anvill Star started to veer out of the straight course but Srinath did well to keep the gelding going and spared three parts of a length over Class Above at the finish. Excelonce and Veni Vedi Vici finished third and fourth respectively.

Suraj Narredu had a solitary win atop S. Ganapathy trained Turf Magic (Excellent Art-Messalina / Poona Stud) in the Indradhanush Plate. The filly was smartly out from the inside draw and rushed to hit the front. Showing up on the straight first Turf Magic stretched out to extend the margin and scored an impressive maiden win. Princess Sasha beat the rest of the field followed by Odyssey and Calico King. Paint It Black was withdrawn after being troublesome in the gates.

Jockey S. John rode a double through Reach The Stars and Colour Of Gold. Reach The Stars (Black Cash-Touch A Star / Equus Stud) was handled well by S. John to win the opener of the day, the Full Speed Plate. Well aware that his mount is carrying a back breaking 62 kilograms John settled the 7 years old in fourth while Oceana went on a start to finish bid followed by Heidrun and Wylde. Passing the distance post Reach The Stars was pushed hard by the rider and she came with a good gallop to head past the relentless Oceana in front of the grand stand. Heidrun stayed on in third followed by Coffee Time.

The 7 years old Colour Of Gold (Mr Mellon-Secret Paradise / Ruia Stud) trained by Sharat Kumarwas given a perfect ride by John to lift the Regency Gold Plate. Zidaan went to the front at start and came into the straight with a lead of over four lengths. Colour Of Gold that was racing in about fourth or fifth till the turn started to gain ground and went past the leader inside the last 300 metres. Colour Of Gold had to fight Breaking Away for a brief while and then staved off the late bid of Arziki towards the finish. James Bond and Heaven And Earth filled the frame in that order. Buscadero was a non-starter in the race.

Sharat Kumar also had his share of two winners, having saddled A Crown (Opportunist-Danetime Rose / New Approach Stud) one race earlier, the division II of the Cauvery Plate. A Crown did not have any recent form to go by but a quiet touch by the connections paid the dividends. Mid-way up the straight Tic Tac Toe had taken charge fro Don’t Worry Monday and was being ridden out when Italian Stallion and A Crown started to pick up speed from behind and came with a dash together towards the post. A Crown edged out Itallion Stallion by a short neck at the wire. Tic Tac Toe settled for third followed by Jack Of Hearts.

In the higher division G. Sandhu trained Admiral Hatsu (Admiralofthefield-Hatsuhana / Kunigal Stud) that had not finished on board in its four starts won the race by a lengthening margin. Chasing Scarlet Princess in the early part, Admiral Hatsu slipped to the lead and once on the straight increased the margin to nine lengths. Indian Fury, Air Of Distinction and Nyssa filled the frame in that order.