Jockey Akshay Kumar was on fire yet again booting home three winners and stretched his blazing form that he has shown right from the start of the season. He started on a winning note in the day’s first race itself with an easy win astride trainer Sequeira’s Exclusivenorthwind to a runaway victory to claim the Division I of the Dundoo Ekambar Memorial Cup run over 1400 meters.

Settling in third, behind leader King of Pop until into the straight, Exclusivenorthwind cruised in to the lead soon on turning for home. Exclusivenorthwind galloped resolutely to outpace his rivals, stretching out nicely to score easing up. The only flaw perhaps was that he was a tad erratic as he veered out in the final furlong before Akshay had him correct course, but that did not cause any anxiety whatsoever as he was well clear by then. Dancing Leaf ran on to take the runner up slot, while O Ms Akilah improved positions to finish in the money.

Akshay pocketed the lower division of the race as well partnering trainer D Netto’s ward Leading Legend (Multidimensional – Amstel) and he had to work a little harder this time. Astra led the field with Palisades park and Leading Legend close behind, followed by a closely huddled bunch that had Starlight at the rear.

Astra led them home and soon Leading Legend started to devour ground briskly. He took charge past the 300 and Akshay had to ride all out as Magical Skill, Destined Dynamite and Turf Striker were getting far too close for comfort, while Starlight too was covering good ground from the wider outside. Akshay got Leading Legend to kick on gamely and managed to thwart the challengers and carve out a comfortable win at the end.  Destined Dynamite ended chasing the winner, while Starlight quickened well enough to beat the other two for the place stakes.

Akshay Kumar signed off with another victory astride Miracle King (Kingda Ka – Michele Marieci) for trainer Sequeira. Settling behind Market Leader in the second position until they turned for home, Akshay got going with Miracle King to grab the lead soon on passing the 400m mark. Once in the lead, Miracle King accelerated fluently and a couple of cracks ensured that Miracle King sped away leaving the rest panting. Miracle King won drawing away by a healthy margin with Sunday Carnival managing to edge out Vijay’s Empire for the second place a good four lengths behind the winner.

Trainer Ravindra Singh won both divisions of the Faridoon Chenoy Memorial Plate. He saddled Turf Legend (Sedgefield – Red Fairy) scored a fine victory over prime fancy Palace on Wheels over the 1200m sprint.

Warrior Supreme and Gorgeous Lady matched strides for the lead initially with Palace on Wheels a handy third, the rest were following close behind, Turf Legend racing closer to the rear. Warrior Supreme led them into the straight with Palace on Wheels hot on his heels. Palace on wheels surged ahead and shaped well looking on course to victory, as the ones close behind looked spent. Turf Legend with Ajit Singh in the saddle warmed up midway in the straight and ate up ground at a brisk rate to pounce on the front runners finishing on with a tremendous gallop. Within strides he got past them all and nailed the favourite strides from the winning post to stamp his authority, winning by a comfortable two lengths with that blazing finish. Palace on Wheels was floored completely but she beat the rest    by three lengths with Southern Crown, Marina Del Rey and Shandaar crowding at the wire in that order.

Trainer Ravindra Singh fired again with his ward On The Fire (Sedgefield – Buenos Aires) shocking his opponents with a fiery stretch run upsetting a bunch of fancied runners, fetching rich returns of 15/1 in the betting ring.

Vallee Bloomer darted into the lead getting past Arc of History soon on start until the turned for home. Into the straight, Arc of History wrested back the lead and was galloping well when Star Gazer moved up to challenge approaching the distance post. Star Gazer had barely got the measure of Arc of History and taken charge inside the final furlong, when On The Fire came at him with a late flourish. The pair fought a couple of strides but On The Fire was literally scorching the turf and he zipped ahead to score by a length. Star Gazer was unlucky to have encountered such a dazzling finish from the winner and had to be content with the next best slot. Prince Caspian improved from the rear and did well to earn place money.

Trainer D Netto also led in a double picking him the last race with Princess of Dreams ((Arazan – Placid) in a close finish. Princess of Dreams went for it start to finish and it got close when Humaaghar warmed up past the distance post to draw closer. Charlie Brown too looked good with a furlong to go and these three were clear of the rest. Jockey Kiran Naidu rode out as if his life depended on it and was forceful until the last stride ensuring there were no last minute blushes. He held on warding off Humaaghar by a narrow margin. Charlie Brown ran on to finish third. Favourite Wine N Dine ended a tame fourth.  

For the professionals, Akshay Kumar yet again was the star performer of the day with a treble. Trainers Sequeira, D Netto and Ravindra Singh shared the day’s honours saddling a double each.