It was a Classic double for Kunigal Stud, M/s. United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Limited and jockey Suraj Narredu, winning the Golconda St. Leger (Gr.2) with Salazar (Burden Of Proof-Saddle Star) after their success in the Mysore Derby a day earlier. The 4 year old chestnut colt trained by Irfan Ghatala, winner of the South India Derby early this year got the grueling 2800 metres trip in resplendent fashion. Sir Walter Raleigh set off in the lead followed by Whomakestherules, Salazar, Star Nijinsy, Winter Renaissance, Handy Man and Tintinnabulation. The leader ran out of gas approaching the last 6 furlongs and Neeraj Rawal took Whomakestherules to the front. With a furlong left on the straight Salazar responded readily to Suraj’s urgings and raised a fluent gallop and sped past to settle the issue. Whomakestherules stayed on in second followed by Star Nijinsky and Winter Renaissance for the third and fourth places in a close finish.

Trainer K. Satheesh had prepared his filly Like Wise (Dancing Forever-Farha) well for the division I of the Dundoo Ekambar Memorial Cup and jockey Akshay Kumar rode confidently to pull it off. Like Wise raced in fourth while Masti tried to go start to finish over the 1400 metres trip and as they approached the last 250 metres came with a strong gallop from the outside and flew past the front runner. Naazaan got the better of Masti for the second place while Without Makeup completed the frame.       

Akshay Kumar piloted M. Srinivas Reddy’s Prospero (Burden Of Proof-Cherika) to a third successive win in the lower division. The filly shot off to the front from an inward draw as the gates opened for the 1400 metres trip and heading the pack all the way extended the lead on the straight. Sea Castle, Italian Cypress and Crown Royal filled the frame in that order.

Arjun Anne trained Seven Colours (Hymn-Great Colors) won the Faridoon S Chenoy Memorial Cup. The bay gelding carrying the top weight was in chase of the favourite Amazing Venus on entering the straight. When urged to quicken, Seven Colours started to drift out under pressure but jockey P Ajeet Kumar kept his cool and pushed his mount to surge ahead. Ice Cave put in a late run but Seven Colours had gone past the winning post safely by then. Cash Landing and Act In Time finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Laxman Singh had a profitable day sending out three winners from the stable through Heathrow, Far Sight and Little Smart Heart. Far Sight (Multidimensional-Farrfesheena / Usha Stud) going over the 2000 metres for the first time was ridden tactfully by Y.S. Srinath to lift the Smt. C Mohana Kumari Satyanarayana Memorial Cup. Far Sight was held off the pace in last among the reduced field of nine runners for the first half of the trip and started to gradually move up close to the rails thereafter. Inside the last 400 metres Srinath guided the youngster wherever he found an opening and with his usual hard riding drove the youngster to hold on from the bid of Creator and Treasure Striker. Somerset completed the frame. Et Voici was withdrawn near the gates.

Srinath rode a waiting race on Heathrow (Rebuttal-Wajanaat) in the opener of the day, the Scenic Royale Plate. Heathrow raced towards the rear till turning for home and started to move up strongly inside the last 300 metres. Newport on a start to finish bid tried hard to stay in front but Heathrow sped past and drew clear. Turf Legend finished third followed by Marina Del Rey.

Little Smart Heart (Diffident-Oojah) was taken on a start to finish bid by Deep Shanker in the Badradri Plate. Inside the last 200 metres Princess Hina who chased Little Smart Heart all the way closed up a bit but had to settle for the second place. Hunter’s Pride and Gayle Force finished third and fourth respectively.