Jockey Akshay Kumar continued to dazzle as he stole the show on the day reaping a rich harvest of four winners in the six-race card. Akshay has been in superlative form right from the previous season and his great run of success has spilled over this season as well. The lad seems to have the Midas touch and has been winning on horses coming in with little or no form as well. He is firmly on course to another Champion jockey title. 

The Qutab Shahi Cup for horses four years and older was the top draw for the day and popular favourite Like Wise (Dancing Forever – Farah) produced a scintillating burst in the homestretch to blow away the opposition with jockey Nakhat Singh partnering the K Sateesh trainee. 

Like Wise was way down the field in the last position all through the back stretch as Seven Eleven was clearly in front of a closely huddled bunch that followed him all the way into the straight. It looked like Nakhat Singh was not happy with the position as he was seen hurrying to progress at the turn and in doing so had to take the turn wider than he normally would. That however, did make any difference as Like Wise, when asked for an effort, galloped swiftly and was catching up with the front-runners at an alarming rate. He surged past his rivals one by one with remarkable ease and then stormed past long-time leader Seven Eleven to rule the final few strides on his own. Like Wise was impressive in his final finish and won with a lot left in the tank. Breezeofthesouth flew past the rest to take the runner-up berth, while Seven Eleven warded off Air Strike for the third place. 

Coming back to jockey Akshay Kumar, he began with a bang with an effortless win astride trainer Laxman Singh’s ward and hot favourite Cincia Azzurra (Kingda Ka – Ashtoh) in the day’s first race. Akshay held Cincia Azzurra in fifth well behind the leader Kionia until into the straight. 

Kionia fought hard to stay in contention and stubbornly stuck along as Cincia Azzurra drew abreast at the distance post. Kionia did tag along for a few strides, but Cincia Azzurra grew stronger and finished on better to leave Kionia far behind in the final 100 meters. Cincia notched up her maiden victory in style on her second run. Kionia ended a couple of lengths behind. Me Too progressed well as did Remember Forever to fill up the minor slots. 

Trainer Deshmukh’s ward Shimmers (Phoenix Tower – Stunning Star) was the biggest beneficiary of Askhay’s form, charm, luck, skill or call it what you may. Shimmers was friendless in the betting ring and was confronting the hot favourite Siyabonga and the latter was gaining on Shimmers approaching the distance post. The pair battled all the way to the wire and Akshay Kumar out-rode the young and learning Gopal Singh astride Siyabonga, giving the apprentice a lesson on two on how to finish most effectively and get that it extra from his mount. Shimmers held on by the narrowest of margins in the most thrilling race of the day. 

Akshay’s third win came atop the unbeaten filly Amazing Elegance (Chevalier – Elegant Approach) saddled by RH Sequeira. He was happy to stay behind in third a good five lengths away from Happy Together who led until well into the straight.   

Happy Together had a handy lead past the 400m and was followed in second by Your Grace with Amazing Elegance just opening up the throttle. Happy Together was still a good two or three lengths in front as they hit past the distance post when Amazing Elegance unleashed his final burst that floored the long-time leader. It was all Amazing Elegance in the final 100 meters and she notched up her fourth successive victory with as much ease as she has done so in the past. Happy Together finished two lengths behind, clearly beaten by a better horse. Your Grace ended a decent third.

Akshay capped the day with another resounding win this time partnering Actually (Royal Gladiator – Antilia) in the concluding race of the day. Sitting up in third behind Adamant And Rising, Akshay improved position to set off in the straight. He went past Adamant and Rising with ease and then cruised ahead to stretch out smoothly and quelled the possibility of any challenge even before it could start. Actually accelerated fluently to win drawing away. Samba improved well to take the second spot ahead of Adamant and Rising. This was a second win for Actually from 32 starts and his last win was in August this year. So the Deshmukh ward certainly benefitted from Akshay’s guidance. 

Royal Hero (Samhoon – In To The Furture) saddled by Ravindra Singh, was ably ridden by Imran Chisty to a fifth career win. Chisty kept Royal Hero well off the pace as Limousine enjoyed a runaway lead all the way into the homestretch. Rutilant made his move early and looked good as he sailed past the front runners past the 400m. Royal Hero got going just then and was bridging the gap at a good rate. He joined Rutilant approaching the distance post and although Rutilant tried his best, he could not match the pace at which Royal Hero was speeding towards the winning post. Rutilant was completely overwhelmed and Royal Hero zipped past to win with authority, sparing close to four lengths. San Vinto charged in with a late bid that was enough for him to snatch even the runner-up slot from Rutilant. 

For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar was the shining star of the day reaping in a rich haul of four winners. Trainer LVR Deshmukh chipped in with a double.