The darling of the Hyderabadi nawabs, Akshay Kumar won the hearts of many a lover of sport in the Garden City on the eve of the Shree Meenakshi Sundereshwara winter Derby recording a memorable treble. The top pro first guided home the on-money favourite Skyfire from trainer Prithviraj’s yard before he packed punch on the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Cerise Noir. In line for a treble, astride the Prasanna Kumar-trained Nisus, Akshay didn’t really need to raise sweat, the youngster entering the winners’ circle in emphatic fashion in an event for juveniles.

On the strength of his impressive effort, second behind Daring Prince in his last essay, Skyfire from Prithviraj’s yard was fancied most. And after arch rival Queen Of Sands was withdrawn before the 10-horse field came under the starter’s flag for the sprint event, there was no opposition worthy of mention. The upper division of the Parfait Amour Trophy now looked a gift race for Skyfire and it proved to be just that, the winner romping home without unduly extending himself. Debonair from Faraz Arshad’s yard gained the runner-up berth ahead of Genuine Star while Estella completed the frame.

Advantageously placed in at the scales, Commodus from Prasanna Kumar’s yard was fancied most in the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy. The Sulaiman schooled Cerise Noir who looked a picture of fitness at the paddock parade too had  fair share of his supporters. Cerise Noir who met a tartar in Attorney General in her last essay, despite not being favourably placed at the top of the straight produced an astounding gallop in the run-in home to snuff out the challenge of last start winner Kvasir and stand tall on the victory podium. Air Command did well to save money in place while the favourite Commodus finished in the ruck.

With a benefit of a good run under his belt, Nisus from Prasanna Kumar’s yard was ready to challenge top fancy Anne Boleyn from Dominic’s yard in the B N Gudiyappa Winter Million run over a sprint. Anne Boleyn who after making a smashing debut suffered a minor injury at the starting gates and was withdrawn at Chennai during the South India Derby week-end, hit the front from the word go before she surprisingly ran out of gas at the top of the straight. Nisus who tracked the public choice streaked ahead at this point and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Cavallini from Irfan Ghatala’s yard did well to finish second ahead of the favourite while Rule Of Engagement took the fourth spot.  

A facile last start winner, Big Sur from trainer Padmanabhan’s yard garnered the maximum support in the Bangalore Racecourse 157th Year Commemoration Trophy run over a mile. The public choice piloted by Scottish pro David Allan after a brief duel with Automatic in the straight forged ahead and shaped like a winner before the ten to one shot Watchmyscript in the hands of Irvan Singh produced a sparkling gallop to stun the top choice and romp home a deserving winner. Sakura finished third ahead of Shesmyscript, stablemate of the winner. Shesmyscript infact was fancied better than the winner, but if one goes by the book of records, Watchmyscript’s performance chart is much better taking into account that she has won against some quality performers.

King Creole was the other fancied runner from Padmanabhan’s yard who bit the dust. Competing in the concluding event, the lower division of the Raichur Plate, King Creole topped the betting board. Winning Force from Rajesh Narredu’s yard was a medium of a good gamble in this event, backed down from (11/2) to (4/1). Arshad Alam astride the Rajesh Narredu ward assumed command at the distance post and powered home to the delight of the Narredu camp. King Creole despite David Allan sweating it out had to rest content with the runner-up berth while Proudwish who attracted big betting in place managed to finish third.

Earlier, Arshad Alam drove home Amazing Angel from Azhar Ali’s yard to a convincing victory in the upper division of the Raichur Plate.  Zehnaseeb from Kishan Thomas’ yard was again the top fancy but the favourite flopped badly and failed to make the board. Dreams United finished second ahead of Brown Bess while Agnar made the frame.

Trainer K P G Appu opened his account this season leading in the ten to one shot King Of The Sand in the opening event, the lower division of the Parfait Amour Plate. The strongly fancied Desert Combat piloted by John only could finish second ahead of Super Gladiator while Upfront who raced in patches came home fourth.