Timeless (Surfrider – Showstopper, Ruia Stud) the firm favourite to win the A Cambell Trophy turned in a flawless performance to score his third career victory and perhaps his most comprehensive win. Trainer Sunderji had tuned him to perfection and his acceleration in the homestretch was as fluent as it was powerful.

Flag Flying had hit the front as is his usual style of running and entering homestretch, he gave it his all, staying ahead until the inevitable happened. Timeless followed the leader into the straight, and closed in steadily. Jockey CS Jodha, who is riding a high wave, just can’t seem to do wrong. He picked up speed with Timeless and surged past Flag Flying and win running away. Allora kicked on to end third.

Trainer Narendra Lagad capped the day with two outsiders flooring the followers of favourites. He struck first with Juggernaut (Diffident – Cincinnati, Yeravada Stud) who produced a fiery burst at the business end of the race.

Sereno and favourite Oracle entered the straight together and soon were fighting for the upper hand.  It was a prolonged fight that had started before the bend and they were stuck together until into the final furlong. While the focus was on these two, Juggernaut switched lanes from the rails and pounced on the pair in front. Apprentice Raghuveer Singh rode him out fiercely and soon zipped ahead to win it comfortably. Oracle landed the second spot edging out Sereno and Stallone.

Star of Thea (Excellent Art – Lady Angharad, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) pulled off a second win on the trot. Star of Thea took a quick jump and darted into the lead with Rincon in chase. On entering the straight, TS Jodha got the Naren ward to spurt ahead opening up a handy lead. Rincon started to inch closer, while Weehawken bowed out of it. Star Aligned improved but none would even pose any challenge to the winner. Star of Thea won easing up which is why Rincon and Star Aligned could narrow down the margin. Star Aligned showed some spark finishing on and needs watching next time out.

Kora Jade (Excellent Art – Heiress, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) had some smart money come on her at race time. She was off on a start to finish mission and kept ahead of the field by about a length and half to favourite Shae until they turned for home.

Into the straight, the long-drawn battle began and both the fillies kept working hard all the way up the straight. Shae started to inch closer in the final stages and when she picked up momentum, the race was over. Shae fell short by a neck, but all credit to Dallas Todywalla ward Kora Jade who hung in all the way with jockey Trevor ensuring that she did so past the post.

Gdansk (Dancing Forever – Sinner Girl, Hazara Stud) improved upon his earlier second and this time showed immense staying abilities with speed to match in the final furlong.

Adonijah led them into the straight but failed to sustain. Cisticola led briefly but when Gdansk arrived, she surrendered meekly. Gdansk moved up under the stick and once he grabbed the lead, won drawing away.

Golden Horde (Green Coast – Aglitter, Greentree Stud) put in a spirited burst to score a much needed maiden win on his ninth start. He settled in the mid-bunch all the way into the straight, Komodo Dragon leading them in.

Komodo Dragon had his supporters egging him on and with those around him making little headway, the screaming got louder. However, Golden Horde, with Trevor in the saddle started to accelerate approaching the distance post and the speed with which the Bezan Chenoy trainee arrived, he just zipped past the bunch in front with ease. Gandalf was the only one to throw in some excitement, cutting the lead at a good rate, but just failing to do anything more than take the runner-up berth.

Towering Storm (Rebuttal Maripasoula, Hazara Stud) finished on gamely braving up to a late challenge and gathering momentum just at the right time to carve out a narrow win.

Surfrider had barely taken over the lead with a furlong to go when Towering Storm began to warm up. Favourite Adams Creation was looking good too, making his run from the outside. Towering Storm sped past Surfrider and then did well to thwart the late attempt from Adams Creation to notch up his maiden victory on his eighth start.

For the professionals, trainers Narendra Lagad and Waheed saddled a double each, while jockey P Trevor scored a double.