Bateleur (Western Aristocrat – Kahzneh, Nanoli Stud) excelled on the turf and notched up an impressive win, perhaps dishing out his best performance yet. The Vishal Gaikwad ward was simply too good for a the small but strong opposition, however, the others, including tote favourite New England paled in comparison with the kind of dominance that Bateleur displayed while winning the RM & Rukmani Goculdas Million.

Bateleur hit the front soon on start and he galloped ahead to muster a good lead right from the outset. Master of Universe followed the leader about three lengths behind; Turning Point was a further four lengths away with new England and Grand Accord races at the tail end of the field.
 
Bateleur kicked on relentlessly and grew even stronger inside the final 400 meters. Master of Universe was hard at work trying to catch up, but in vain. New England was way too far behind and never looked in contention. Bateleur had it easy all the way and he registered a flawless victory, galloping fluently and fast, outpacing his rivals with commendable ease. Jockey Neeraj Rawal just showed him the way and had to do precious little in the saddle. Master of Universe ran a good second, while New England ran well below par.
 
SK Sunderji trained Kildare (Leitir Mor – Awarding, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) produced a fine effort to bag the Karl Umrigar Trophy on debut. Pitched against a good bunch of juveniles, some of them experienced, Kildare did remarkably for a first attempt. He settled nicely early on and made gradual progress as Conscience led them into the homestretch. Cliffs of Capri had a good chance to make an impact on his third start, however, he failed to quicken and frittered away the opportunity. Kildare started to move up from the outside and was devouring ground at a brisk rate. Soon he collared Conscience and once in the lead, Kildare, with jockey Sandesh in the saddle, drew away to post a facile victory. Conscience fought hard to retain the runner-up berth from Sunrise Ruby, the latter improved considerably in the straight and did well to edge out Cliffs of Capri for the place stakes.
 
Awesome One (Dean’s Kitten – Aim to Achieve, Sohna Stud) from trainer Deepesh Narredu’s stables, produced another winning effort to take his win tally to four from seven starts and his second in his victory on the trot this season. There was a semblance of a fight brewing approaching the distance post as Awesome One and Flaming Maritni caught up with Leader Pokerface and the three were abreast. Flaming Maritini head the trio briefly until Awesome One poked through between the two and jockey Yash Narredu ensured that the threat from Flaming Martini was thwarted effectively and Awesome One galloped away to score by a little over a length from Flaming Martini. Pokerface fell back to run off the frame as Excellent Gold and Beshiktash squeezed past his to snatch away the minor slots.
 
Gold Field (Sedgefield – Fort Knox, Jai Govind Stud) saddled by Adhiraj Jodha carved out a narrow win over her chief rival Untitled in a keenly fought finish. Untitled had a clear upper hand coming into the straight and had a handy lead while bouncing past the 400 m mark. Untitled rolled on making it difficult to Gold Field who was inching closer and had Rising Brave on her outside. However, Untitled drifted out under pressure taking Gold Field along, but in the last fifty, Gold Field with jockey P Trevor astride, picked up momentum to surge past Untitled just in time to carve out a narrow half-length victory. Rising Brave did well to take the place money. Locarno had all the chance with a clear rail run, but just could not accelerate as required and ended a tame fourth.
 
His 13th start proved lucky for Rogue One (Midnight Interlude – Eloise, Nanoli Stud) as the Narendra Lagad ward galloped freely to score an impressive win after finishing close a few times. The weights too suited his best as he made a rush from the rear to take over the running midway down the backstretch and once he hit the front, he travelled smoothly all the way to the wire. Gdansk was in hot pursuit early in the straight and then Benevolence made swift progress in the final 150 meters, but neither could make an impact on Rogue One at any stage. Rogue One with jockey Dasrath Singh in the saddle, looked right on course long way from home and posted a comfortable victory with Benevolence wresting the runner-up berth from Gdansk.
 
Cezanne (Cockney Rebel – Blue Missy, Capricorn Stud) created an upset in the concluding race of the day as he held on stubbornly to pull off victory after three years! The eight year old gelding from trainer AM Jadhav’s stables was well ridden by jockey Bhawani Singh as he poked through between horses approaching the distance post to surge ahead and then add the finishing touches.
 
Speedo had led the field home and soon surrendered the lead to Alpine Express. Cezanne brushed up to step up speed and collar the leader. Julio Cesaro was up on the outside while Epiphany once again got squeezed between horses and had to check and switch to the outside. Cezanne, with Bhawani Singh in the saddle, zipped ahead and kept the momentum going all the way past the post. Epiphany covered a lot of ground to beat the rest, but just could not catch up with the winner, falling short by a length and half in the end. Alpine Express saved the place money, while Julio Cesaro ended in the frame.