Racing action had the railbirds scream in delight as close finishes spurred up the crowd through the day with as many as four of the seven races being hard-fought. Mark My Word (Net Whizz – Theworldismystage) perhaps got the loudest cheer as he was the piping hot favourite and carried a large public purse. He was off to a quick start and held sway entering the homestretch. Ashwa Bahula, the next in demand, started to inch closer and even caught up with Mark My Word with a 100 or so to go. Jockey Suraj Narredu atop the favourite, rode out giving it everything as Ashwa Bahula loomed large on the outside. Eyes shifted to Nimble Mind too as she started making her presence felt briefly, but the focus shifted back to Man of Word and Ashwa Bahula after a glance. This pair fought hard and Ashwa Bahula may have even put her nostril ahead. Sometime at this point she got under pressure and that slip caused her dearly. Man of Word sustained his gallop all the way and scraped through with the skin of his nose. Nimble Mind ended two lengths behind to save the place money. The winner was trained by K Sateesh.

In the earlier race it was favourite Zamora (Declaration of War – Aptiana) who made a dramatic entry in the final furlong to explode in the dying stages of the race and pip long-time leader Mon General on the post. Mon General did everything right as she led them into the straight. Shaquille, who tagged close behind the leader, came alongside Mon General approaching the distance post. Zamora was still a couple of lengths adrift but picking up momentum. Apprentice Gaurav Singh atop Mon General was desperately going for the post and having tackled Shaquille would have hoped to pull it off. That was not to be as Zamora arrived with a scorching finish and jockey Ashhad Asbar rode as if possessed and timed his finish to perfection to snatch victory on the post. Shaquille ended a tame third, while One One One improved to take the remaining slot.

Esteva and Celeritas also provided an exciting display of speed, skill and thrill with Private Empire also chipping in with a late dash to add essence to the heady mixture. Celeritas had a handy lead and the way she was hurtling towards the finish, it looked difficult for Esteva (Whatsthescript – Panamera) at one stage. However, the confidence with which jockey Akshay Kumar has been riding particularly on his home turf, must have passed on to the Sequeira trained Esteva and the filly accelerated well in the final fifty to put her neck in front just in time to collar Celeritas close home. Private Empire picked up in the last 100 meters and arrived with a breezy run as well to finish alongside the top two, falling short by only half a length.

Another fighting finish emerged between Nova Scotia (Leitir Mor – Nijinsky Bullet) and Mahashakti, but this time the front-running Nova Scotia, saddled by L D’Silva, held on until past the post. Nova Scotia shaped well after turning for home. He improved positions and soon took charge. Once in the lead, jockey Akshay Kumar goaded the gelding on and held the slight upper hand even as Mahaskahti was looming large and looking threatening. Akshay had to ride out all the way as Mahashakti stuck by, but failed to produce that extra bit to do more than finish on the haunches of Nova Scotia.  Monte Rei did well to overcome a tardy start and ending third after being in the rear for a long time.

Ananta Vatsalya trained Yogastha (Varenar – Spiffy) had it easy while scoring her maiden win after a long wait. She pounced on Story Teller early in the straight and then got going under the handling of app jockey Afroz Khan. With no challenge brewing, Yogastha kicked on gamely and drew away in the final furlong to coast to a runaway victory by four lengths. Story Teller did well to hang on to the runner-up berth. N R I Flame improved in the straight ending third, while favourite Royal Avenger made little impact.

No Compromise (Gusto – No Complaining) got it right this time and Akshay Kumar got the best out of the Laxman Singh trainee. Mind Reader tried the runaway tactics and led by a huge margin coming into the straight. However, he didn’t have much in the tank and when Star of Tiara came by, he surrendered meekly. Star of Tiara burst into the lead with 300 to go and even shaped well. Akshay had to put in some effort to get No Compromise going and it was only in the final furlong that he started gaining on Star of Tiara. No Compromise quickened well at the finish to zip ahead with a few strides to go and post a comfortable victory. Star of Tiara lost to the better horse on the day and had to be content with the second spot. Miss Marvellous ran on to finish third long way behind.

Happy Together (Tazahum – Regal Glory) scored a clinical start to finish victory in the hands of apprentice Jitendra Singh. The K Sateesh ward jumped out smartly and cruised into the lead with Running Fire on her tail. Once they turned for home, Happy Together shook off Running Fire and stormed further ahead leaving no chance for the others to get any closer. She won by a healthy margin and looked the winner long way from home. Magic Street beat the rest comfortably to run a decent second. Crimson Fire managed to pip Southern State for place money.

For the professionals, jockey Akshay Kumar yet again was on fire picking up a fine treble. Trainers Laxman Singh and K Sateesh saddled a double each.