On expected lines, the all-conquering Desert God from trainer Padmanabhan's yard who is the biggest money-spinner in the century old Indian racing added one more to his distinguished list, winning the Chief Minister's Trophy in convincing fashion from Salazaar. The winner hit the front and dictated pace all through the gruelling 2000M trip before outwitting his five rivals in the straight. 

After Desert God, Mountain Lion from Neil Darashah's yard provided the big bettors a reason to smile winning the January Plate for juveniles in deserving fashion. The well-backed Neil ward who had finished second behind the goodtype of youngster Lagarde in his debut hit the front the moment the dozen runners negotiated the final curve and in the hands of Trevor Patel stretched out well to score from the late finishing Pissarro from Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard. Handsome, who finished third behind Mountain Lion in his last essay again came in third while Cavallini who was strongly fancied in place lost out, just about making the board. 

Earlier in the Lal Bagh Plate, last start winner Angelino was fancied most. But the public choice from the Dashmesh Stud Farm performed like a dud despite Scottish pro David Allan providing him every chance to score. The favourite in his mission to make every post a winning one in the seven furlongs trip lacked the gas in the tank to make a race of it when the race came on a boil and came home a poor third behind the seven to one shot Treasure Delight and the runner-up Ashwa Raftar. The second in demand at the betting ring Peluche appears to have lost form and is best left ignored until this Neil Darashah ward shows improvement and more importantly the determination to put the right stride ahead. 

The opening event, the Moddabidri Plate was claimed by the Sharath Kumar schooled South Bell in the hands of apprentice Shreyas Singh. In what was a very open race, Noble Splendour from Faraz Arshad's yard was the favourite but the public choice failed in his mission to deliver the goods. South Bell scored from the Arjun Manglorkar-trained Purity who is yet to shed her maiden status despite finishing second more than half-dozen times. Prime Star finished a suggestive third ahead of Good Word and it will not be long before this Pradeep Annaiah ward aspires to earn his winning bracket in this lowest class. 

On the strength of his second behind Star And Garter, Aferpi from champion trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard was rightly and strongly fancied to score in the Amber Regent Plate run over a mile. And the public choice did just that in style, romping home without unduly being extended in the hands of leading pro Srinath. The topweighted Cosmic Feeling finished second ahead of High Priestess while Sainthood made the frame. 

Another last start winner who performed below par was the Prasanna-trained Indian Empress. The top choice piloted by apprentice jockey Arul hit the front and was seen fighting for lead with the speedy Slice Of Heaven for most part of the sprint trip before streaking ahead at the top of the straight. But the moment the Prasanna ward came under pressure from the (70/1) shot Big Boon from Narayan Gowda's yard the public choice packed up and failed to even save money in place. Stari Grad finished second ahead of the second in demand at the betting ring, Indian Democrat who was hopelessly placed at the top of the straight before finishing on purposefully at end to take the third spot. 
 
Pradeep Annaiah-trained Darahasini floored the punters in the concluding event, the lower division of the G.Krishnappa Memorial Trophy. The 20 to one long shot in a pulsating finish edged out the public rage Perfect Rendition at the shadow of the winning post much to the chagrin of the followers of form who had placed huge bets on the Prasanna Kumar ward. Surya piloted the shock winner while Imran Chisty guided the fortunes of the on-money favourite. The Irfan Ghatala schooled Donna Bella who attempted to make every post a winning one finished third.