The Deepak Trophy, the feature event of the day, had eight 3 year-olds facing the starter. Among them was Delphi (Emerald Cat – Bongusto), owned by Mr Berjis Minoo Desai and Mrs Vandana Berjis Desai and trained by Pesi Shroff. The Capricorn Stud produce made a bold debut to pull off a dramatic last-stride victory that was simply breathtaking in the true sense of the word. Ocean of Faith jumped out smartly to head the field, Emerald Valley, Samiel and Via Chasellas bunched up raced next, then came Golden and Delphi together and the others. Ocean of Faith entered the straight first and soon Emerald Valley came to challenge. Via Chasellas tried hard and was getting closer to the leaders.

Samiel weakened while Golden Heart was not quickening. Delphi was being asked for an effort by CD Hayes. In the final furlong, Ocean of Faith was gaining back lost ground from Emerald Valley with Via Chasellas joining the fight. In the last couple of strides Delphi lit up and produced a fantastic burst to shock the trio and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It looked impossible for Delphi to pull it off when they were inside 100 metres from home, but in the last couple of strides, Delphi was lightening fast to get Ocean of Faith on the post.

Both Via Chasellas and Emerald Valley ended on the haunches of the first two making it a four-horse finish. Estevez (Gaswar – Axelle) overcame slight traffic congestion and made a clean dash in the final furlong to win with a fair measure of comfort. Fiery Fox and Soophie was the pair in front, closely followed by Estevez and Blazing Spectacle with Wild Torronaado keeping them company.

Into the straight, Soophie darted ahead as Fiery Fox started to slip backwards. Scenic Silver who was right behind Fiery Fox was certainly gaining but with no room to manoeuvre, was badly stuck. Worse, he stumbled badly nearly dislodging apprentice jockey Roushan. Estevez too got into traffic problems as she couldn’t find a clear passage and had to be shifted out.

Jockey SA DeSouza was up to the task and after switching the filly out, shot ahead in the final furlong to run away from her rivals. Wild Torranaado gained enough to beat Soophie for the runner-up berth. Jockey SA DeSouza scored yet another victory astride White Knight in the very next race. If his victory astride Estevez was good, DeSouza did even better with White Knight. Sitting in the mid group until the turn, DeSouza was unperturbed even as River Route took a runaway lead midway through the race.

With the front runners grappling in the homestretch, Ariane was the first to warm up and shot ahead near the 200. White Knight moved up with good clean strides and easily collared Ariane metres before the winning post and strode past effortlessly to win by a length. Green Signal earned the place money. White should provide an encore. Ariane was unlucky to have missed out to a better horse. Earlier Alexus (China Visit – Alarming) won as was expected but was stretched by Misschevious Trot in the last part. Settling into the fourth behind Top Action, Suraj and Algorithms, Alexus improved gradually to be in striking position at the turn. Once into the straight, jockey YS Srinath easily got past Top Action who was galloping on. Alexus built a handy lead of about two lengths when Misschevious Trot warmed up and came with a sustained challenge. Alexus profited on the advantage and Misschevious Trot fell by just half a length.

Got To Go (Royal Kingdom – Go Go Go) came alive with a terrific finish to register a fine victory over a listless Rose Bowl whose odds drifted alarmingly at race time. One reason could be that Calling The Shots received tremendous support and was backed down. Unfortunately, Calling The shots got withdrawn at the gates. Highland Bounty shot into the lead, with Force Of Law in second, Belligerent and Rose bowl raced close to each other with Got To Go on their tail. Highland Bounty got the field into view and had a pack of four horses snapping at his tail.

Got To Go sprang past the leader and in a trice put the issue beyond doubt with a spirited gallop. Belligerent and Ka Ching were in chase but the effort proved futile. Ka Ching did well to get the better of Belligerent for the runner up berth. Seen it All (Brave Hunter – Hungarian Rhapsody) turned out to be another money spinner for trainer Antia. The favourite Ran Banka made every post a winning one except the most important one. Seen it All put in a powerful run ably assisted by jockey Imran Chisty to vanquish the favourite comfortably. Walking Tall did well to finish ahead of Secret Talk and collect the place money.

Nymph (China Visit – Cacophony) finally earned her winning bracket in a close call. Shooting into the lead soon on entering the straight, Nymph maintained a handy lead all through. In the final furlong Tehrani got closer and Dangerous Belle too came up menacingly close for comfort. The winning post, however, came to the rescue of Nymph who somehow managed to crane her neck ahead at the wire.