Trainer RH Sequeira's ward Smashing Blue galloped to her third win on the trot keeping a clean slate in her blossoming career. She was the obvious favourite for the Byerly Turk Million (Gr3). She was galloping reassuringly most of the way, until Akshima put in a late flourish that certainly would have had the heartbeats racing. However, Smashing Blue, not one to cow-down, held on to save any last stride shock.

Smashing Blue was out quickly and settled in second as Elmira darted past to lead the field. Smashing Blue cruised into the lead soon on turning for home and shaped well early in the straight. Approaching the distance post, Smashing Blue, in the hands of Akshay Kumar, seemed clear and on his way to a smashing victory, but Akshima lit up and arrived with a threatening gallop. She was getting too close too fast, but Smashing Blue stuck it out and thwarted the challenging run effectively, winning by a head at the post. Giving seven kilos to a fellow-three-year-old and winning the way the filly did was a splendid effort and Smashing Blue is blossoming into a top-notch sprinter. While Akshima did extremely well to run a close second, Southern Princess rallied well to take the third place after being at the wrong end of the field until into the straight.

Sequeira struck in the day's opening race with Committed Warrior (Win Legend – War Machine) who was making his debut, yet was at less than half-money. Crimson Warrior fully justified the cramped odds as she swung into flight mode at the right time and then won drawing away. 

Belle Springs raced to the front and led all the way into the homestretch with Kapell Bruke in chase, while Committed Warrior was a length or two behind them. Belle Springs accelerated well on turning for home and although she shifted out under pressure she was ahead by a couple of lengths and kicking on. Committed Warrior, with Akshay Kumar in the saddle started to warm up past the distance post and finished with a fiery gallop. The moment Committed Warrior picked up speed, it was all over for Belle Springs; Committed Warrior, a big-made rig, stormed past Belle Springs in the last few strides to notch up victory on debut. Belle Springs was gallant in defeat and ended a good second. Chuckit progressed in the straight to finish in the money. 

Akshay Kumar then partnered Kate (Kingda Ka – Cyrene) and the Laxman Singh scored an impressive win on debut. She looked a picture of fitness in the paddock and as it turned out - very fit for the fray. She was not ideally placed as they jumped out of the gates and was in the rear of the mid-bunch in the seventh position and about 8-10 lengths from the leader Secret Command. 

Sputnik got past the leader soon on entering the straight but Explosive moved up nicely to take charge with about 300m to go. Just when it looked like Explosive would kick on, Kate arrived, making her bid from the wide outise and covering ground with giant strides. She picked up speed with every stride and made them all look pedestrian. She stormed past the lot with ease and piled up a huge margin of eight lengths at the wire. Explosive held on to the second spot from Red Snaper, while Sputnik ended a close fourth, close as in a neck behind Red Snaper. Going by the manner she won, Kate ought to win again the next time out. 

Sequeira's second of his three wins came with Staridar (Oath – Starynessy) in the third race of the day. Chasing the front running pair of Pentagon and favourite Balius, Staridar got going soon on turning for home. He swept aside the duo and stormed into the lead going at a good clip. He was soon away and jockey Mukesh Kumar rode out the 12 to 1 shot further away from the bunch. Dandy Man picked up speed in the final furlong and just as he began to charge in, On My Way too cmae on the scene with a scorching finish. Staridar however, had enough as cushion, and held on to win from Dandy Man and On My Way, the latter coming from the last position in the straight to finish an eye-catching third and finishing within one length from the winner.

Happy Together (Tazahum – Regal Glory) was another long-shot to score on the day. The Sateesh trained mare darted to the front on settling down and galloped fluently all through. Once in the straight, Happy together shot further ahead and had a handy lead coming into the final furlong. Yours Forever started to inch closer with Trevor riding his heart out. Apprentice jockey Jitendra Singh, pushed Happy Together hard to keep her ahead at the most carving out victory by a neck. Yours Forever had a tad too much to do in the last 150 meters and he took a while to pick up and that cost him dearly. These too finished far ahead of Rahil and Strategist. 

Apollo (Green Coast – Above the Line) followed his debut win with another even more commendable victory in the concluding race of the day. Settling into second behind Spiritual all the way into the straight, Apollo cruised past to take charge and then stretched out effortlessly to compile a winning lead midway in the straight. Jockey Mukesh Kumar rode hands and heels all the way, winning by a good margin of four and half lengths. The fight was on for the minor placing with Spiritual edging out Ice Warrior and Maxwell. 

For the professionals, trainer RH Sequeira and jockey Akhsay Kumar scored a treble each; jockey Mukesh Kumar chipped in with a double.