Pesi Shroff trained Elusive Study made a winning reappearance when Malesh Narredu steered him to a confident victory in the Littleover Trophy. The son of Elusive Pimpernel out of Classic Study had made an impressive debut towards the start of the season but his career plans went awry as he suffered multiple wounds after running loose on the track subsequently. His injuries were further exacerbated when he fell inside his stalls while on his road to recovery. Yet, Pesi had nurtured him so well during his recuperation that Elusive Study looked a perfect picture in the paddock, a winner for those who judge horses during the parade. Elusive Study raced handily behind no-hopers Trusted Friend and Sea Siren who called the shots in turns before Malesh alerted his mount. The chestnut colt gave some anxious moments to Malesh briefly when failing to find the rhythm but he was going great guns the moment he got on an even keel. The margin of victory may flatter runner-up Sleight of Hand but the winner had the race well sewn up even as his opponents were trying to gain ground on him. Dominatrix came wide into the straight but left a good impression by finishing third ahead of Kempinski. Strawberry Fields (Placerville – Baroque Pearl) lasted out to win in a narrow finish from Nanjing in the Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Trophy. The filly from Mansingh Jadhav’s yard broke away from the pack when the field straightened and the Aadesh Kumar ridden Nanjing struggled to bridge that gap despite finishing on with a flourish. There are chances of a controversy brewing as it is reported that Aadesh has complained against Malesh Narredu astride Oprah for deliberately taking him out at a crucial stage of the race and prompting the Neeraj Rawal astride the winner to take the shortest route home. Oprah ran a tame third and was followed by Suraj, who flopped after his usual hope-lifting run at the mouth of the straight. Mansingh had earlier led in Wild Cat (Royal Kingdom – House On The Hill), who swept her rivals off their feet when rookie Nadeem Alam pushed her to grab the lead at the start. The young rider held his nerves in the final stages and the bay filly responded gallantly by staving off the challenge of Acton Town and favourite Adam’s Pleasure, who was entrusted to Malesh after his fluent victory earlier but seemed to be out of sorts on this occasion. Oh What A Babe (Conquering Hero – Ordina) made amends for her earlier failure when C. Rajendra piloted Imtiaz Sait’s ward to a convincing victory in the curtain-raiser. The bay mare stalked Suleman Pasha till the race took a serious turn and she was then unleashed by Rajendra to go sailing clear. Return of the King ended a fair second by overcoming Game of Power close home. Stroll In The Park ran fourth without being given a punishing run. Apprentice C. S. Jodha gave able support to Capriani (Mischevious Music – Goldilocks), who was making a serious winning bid for the first time after returning to trainer Mansoor Shah’s barns. She ran true to the expectations of the moneybags and posted a comfortable victory over Catalunya, Esprit De Liberte and Ancient Princess. Jodha had earlier triggered a powerful run from the Faisal Abbas trainee Tribal Warrior (Shareef Dancer – Quickening) to measure favourite Red Revelation and Teaser in the last furlong. Red Revelation was unable to even gain a minor place after Regina warmed up to her task and slipped into the runner-up berth. The rest had virtually no say in the proceedings though Latest News did have a good forward run. Flo Nightingale (Mischevious Music – Danseuse) proved that her previous win was no flash-in-the-pan as she made it two in a row to provide C. S. Jodha his third winner of the day. The Nina Lalvani saddled filly made every post a winning one and thwarted the strong attempt of Pursuit of Power to topple her in the final stages of the race. Favourite Amenable showed no improvement in her form and ran pathetically once again. Cavalry Brigade raised hopes in the straight but couldn’t accelerate and had to be content with the third spot.