Realmsoffantasy (Excellent Art – Glorious Fantasy) added another feather to her cap as she picked up the Golconda 1000 Guineas (Gr2) with a fine start-to-finish effort. Jockey David Allan got right down to business atop the 12/10 favourite trained by Laxman Singh, leading right from the word go, with Merlot and Sakura close behind; Miss Lily and Once More followed a couple of lengths further behind.

They galloped at a moderate pace and entered the straight in the same order. Realmsoffantasy started to increase the pace with 400m to go and David was still waiting to really step on it. Merlot got into the action and started to inch closer, while Sakura was not finding her rhythm and was making an effort to keep up. Realmsoffantasy galloped past the distance post with Merlot now breathing down her neck and there seemed a keen showdown brewing. Merlot put everything into it and reached to half a length of Realmsoffantasy, however, that was only as close as Merlot could get. Realmsoffantasy had enough in the reserve and she held on gallantly to follow up on her Fillies’ Trials (Gr3) win last August, this emerging the supreme filly on the circuit. Realmsoffantasy is owned by M/s Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Limited in partnership with M/s Vijay Racing & Farms Pvt Ltd represented by M/s Vijay Kumar Gupta and Susheel Kumar Gupta.

RH Sequeira trained Reunion (Dancing Forever – Ambos) was the shortest priced runner on the day and he did seem to make a bit of a heavy weather of his task but pulled away in the final 100 meters to score a comfortable victory. Reunion, with Sandesh in the saddle, stayed off the pace as his stable-mate George Cross made the running all the way until well into the straight.

George Cross delayed the inevitable as he hung on alongside Reunion until into the final furlong and surely set some weak hearts thumping. It was not for long though, as Reunion picked up speed and called his bluff in the final few strides to accelerate smoothly to surge ahead and claim the Chaitanya Chakram Cup convincingly. Western Wind kicked on to finish second, while Point To Prove managed to pip George Cross for the third place.

Laxman Singh trained Rahil (Whatsthescript – Hoofbeats) produced a spirited gallop to clinch the Amarnath Gupta Memorial Cup warding off a game challenge from Riddari. Settling in third position until into the straight, Rahil quickened soon on turning for home and marched ahead of Classy Guy who squandered a handy lead to go down tamely. Rahil set off at a cracking pace once in the lead and kept the momentum going. At one point, Riddari looked a real threat when he seemed to be catching up in the final furlong, however, Rahil had it well covered and he galloped on to win by a length from Riddari. Nayadeep improved to beat Sea Castle for the third place.
Trainer Shehzaad Abbas trained Cape Kidnappers (Abbeyside – Tijuca Forest) made it a memorable debut with a flying finish to return victorious. She was third coming into the straight with Bork Greek leading them in and Versallies in second. Born Greek held sway all through the straight and had even shaped to nail it at one stage. However, both Versallies and Cape Kidnappers were putting him under pressure particularly in the final 100 meters. Cape Kidnappers with jockey Trevor astride, finished with a flourish and shot ahead close home to win by a narrow half-length margin. Born Greek held on to the runner up berth by a whisker keeping Versallies at bay. Mystery took up the remaining slot in the frame, but finished too far behind.

Apowerx (Varenar – Absolute Royal) put his last poor run behind and bounced back admirably to add to his solitary win which came way back in October 2017. He was backed with overwhelming confidence despite no recent power-run to show. He stood up to the task and delivered positively and that’s what the game is all about.
Heaven Can Wait and Apowerx raced up in front and were joint leader entering the straight. They stuck by one another all through the long straight matching stride for stride well into the final furlong. It was in the dying moments of the race, the past 50 meters or so when Apowerx got that little extra power to surge ahead and score by a length. Heaven Can Wait ended a good second, while Snow Castle arrived late to finish a close third.
Cash For Rank (Varenar – Deeleecious) trained by Ananta Vatsalya was ably ridden to victory by jockey Ajeet Kumar. Shooting out from the nearest draw, Cash For Rank set off at a good pace and had a handy lead coming into the straight.

Cash For Rank galloped even better in the straight working up top speed to stay well clear of his rivals. He looked the winner approaching the distance post with no threat in sight. He kicked on gamely to score in an emphatic manner to score by over two lengths. Vijay’s Empress ran on to take the second spot ahead of Perfection and Take A Bow who finished in a close bunch.

Max (Chinese Whisper – Confluence) torched the turf with a scintillating burst of speed in the final furlong to score his maiden win with a dazzling finish. Lucky Star had led them all the way into the final furlong, but had a bunch of horses snapping at her tail. Max was the pick of the lot as he arrived with lightning speed that floored the rest. Max, trained by L D’Silva and ridden by Ajay Kumar, timed his finish to perfection, winning by just a length. Musashi too improved positions remarkably and finished on just as fast, but was a wee bit too late to flash on the scene. Air Salute was prominent when the fight began but was beaten to third eventually just ahead of Lucky Star.

For the professionals, Laxman Singh was the lone trainer to saddle a double.