King Khalil (Multidimensional – Khalila, Usha Stud) displayed dazzling speed as he made every post a winning one, outpacing his rivals right from the start. Apprentice jockey AS Peter, who is showing steady progress with his riding, had little to do this time. King Khalil jumped out smartly and shot into the lead with ease and kept his hot pace going all the way. None of the others could match the brilliance of King Khalil at any stage.

King Khalil entered the straight with a good lead and then stepped up momentum to steer clear of his opponents. Frieze, Between The Waters and Sharareh were in chase, but none of them could even narrow down the gap, understandably so as King Khalil was in full flight and such was his speed that he clipped a few seconds off the great Ruffina’s record timing of 00:57:31 and created his own, stopping the clock at 00:57:11 while winning the five-furlong scurry by close to five lengths! It was a delightful moment for young trainer Deepesh Narredu to have his ward so fit and to see his notch up the fastest timing ever for the distance!

Malesh Narredu trained Excellent Sorrento (Excellent Art – Sorrento Steel, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) had not scored after his debut win in Pune but on the day, he too showed a tremendous burst to steal a march in the early half of the straight and galloped in a gritty fashion to hold on all the way past the post.

Jockey Yash Narredu played the waiting game and settled his mount closer to the rear as Octavius led them into the straight, with Arrowfield, Flying Dragon following close behind. Bhaktawar was taking his time to get going when jockey Yash Narredu urged Excellent Sorrento into action. Excellent Sorrento quickened instantly and caught up with the front bunch and shot into the lead with a furlong and half to go. Within strides, Excellent Sorrento had amassed a handy lead and although Bhaktawar picked up to inch closer, he didn’t look threatening at any stage as Excellent Sorrento kicked on to win it by a length. Arrowfield was in the hunt only until Excellent Sorrento showed up, after which he just failed to show any fight and ended third, a good five lengths from the winner.

Fanfare (China Visit – Veena’s Star, Usha Stud) built on her fine form to notch up a second win this season. Jockey R Ajinkya rode the Sunderji trained filly in a workman-like manner, settling her in the second last position and then gradually improving to be in striking distance at the turn.

Strongly fancied Rospomare led them all the way into the straight and fell back soon after when Romanesque challenged her. The favourite surrendered meekly and didn’t now show any resolve whatsoever, going down tamely. Romanesque took charge and shaped well, but it was Fanfare who arrived with a big run that caught the eye at the business end. Fanfare galloped resolutely and collared Romanesque well inside the final furlong and wore Romanesque down to carve out a narrow victory. Romanesque ended a good second, while His Master’s Vice improved considerably from the last position to end in the money.

Deccan King (Chevalier – Izwah, Ruia Stud) sprang a surprise showing a lot of gumption when push came to a shove and dug deep to resurface after it appeared that either Lambretta or Huzzah’s Grace would get past him in the final furlong. Deccan King led them into the straight and shook off long-time companion Navigator, but soon had Lambretta and Huzzah’s Grace stalking him. Past the distance post, it looked like Huzzah’s Grace was moving the best, but Deccan King wasn’t done yet. He rallied on and jockey SA Amit deserves praise for persevering all through to guide the HJ Antia trained Deccan King past the post to achieve a well-fought victory. Huzzah’s Grace did a decent job, but just could not add the finishing touches. Lambretta was under pressure as he was bullied from his left and right and that may have cowed him down a bit; he however, hung on grimly to finish a close third.

Faisal Abbas trained Cormorant (Phoenix Tower – Give Me Five, Manjri Stud) produced a sudden burst of speed that spoiled the party for favourite Princess Eliza in the last couple of strides. This one too was not an easy ride for ace jockey P Trevor as he had to constantly work on Cormorant to improve positions well before the turn.

Inside the homestretch, Night Hunt assumed command and had a handy lead too, but could not build on it. Princess Eliza then looked on course as she easily got past Night Hunt and shaped well past the distance post. Cormorant was still a couple of lengths away in third and just when it looked like the favourite, Princess Eliza had it covered, Cormorant quickened just at the right time to surge ahead and win by half a length in a dramatic finish. Cormorant notched up his maiden victory on his sixth start, while Princess Eliza nearly did it, going down narrowly. Night Hunt saved the place money. Caesar improved positions after racing in the rear and did fairly well to end up in the frame.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Thomas Hardy (Poet’s Voice – Mesmerize, Highgrove Stud) pulled off a sensation debut win with a last stride victory in the concluding race of the day. It looked a Herculean task for Thomas Hardy as Shivalik Queen looked well in command midway in the straight as both Dazzling star and Tenerife who were closest to her were struggling to keep pace. Shivalik Queen had a handy lead inside the final furlong when Thomas Hardy with Trevor astride began to gain ground rapidly. It still looked touch and go as there was not much ground left for Thomas Hardy, but the debutante finished full of steam and just managed to pip Shivalik Queen on the post to open his account with a bang. Shivalik Queen did everything right, but was floored on the last stride. Tenerife ended a good third, just ahead of favourite Dazzling Star.

Jockey P Trevor was the lone pro to score a double.