Southern Empire’s decisive victory in the 1400 metres Narasimharaja Cup served to emphasize the fact that this full brother to the celebrated Smart Chieftain is one of the best juveniles seen in action. Though Southern Empire did not beat a quality field he has the pedigree and the class to be a force to reckon with in the classics. Once he matures and gets stronger, there would be no stopping this talented son of Placerville. Southern Empire was virtually left with no worthwhile challenger to test his abilities. The only thing that the connections could do under the circumstances was to try the tactic of bringing him from behind and teaching him to settle. To some extent they were successful though Prakash had to struggle to restrain the favourite from climbing over the front-runners. Once given the go ahead, Southern Empire quickened well though he did not pick up speed instantly. Kodava Fire who enjoyed his moment in front till overhauled by the eventual winner, stayed on to take the second spot ahead of Carabinieri who ran disappointingly. Green Bax looked outstanding in the 1400 metres Nagarhole Cup. Green Bax had gone down narrowly to India Shining over a sprint and now the extended trip of seven furlongs was tailor made for him. Jockey Srinath took Green Bax on a start to finish mission but with Rainier fighting with him to take charge till turning for home, the favourite had to expend energy in merely holding his position so much so that he was grinding to a halt towards the finish. The way Nordic Star moved with a flourish in the dying moments of the race suggested that he would overhaul the favourite but Srinath’s perseverance paid off. Nordic Star narrowly failed to land a quiet touch. Discman ran to take the third spot. Srinath’s driving finish on Dingle made the difference to the outcome of the Amar Lulla Memorial Plate (Div I). Dingle came under severe pressure from favourite Caramel but the former managed to prevail in a close finish. Caramel was lugging in which made jockey Appu’s task formidable. The lower division of the race saw Star Distinction in true colours. Star Distinction, who had not run to potential in his earlier runs, had the requisite support to have a strong say. The son of Steinbeck proved too good for the likes of Hawaiian Sunrise and Estrella. Jockey Prakash had a good day, booting home a treble as apart from Southern Empire; he had arm chair rides on Celtic Princess and Ruby Brown who both won their races with great deal of ease. Magical Mystery made a profitable start to finish dash in the 1800 metres Vedavati Plate, a race for horses rated 10 to 25. Epic who was running over longer trips for the third time in a month, enjoyed strong public backing because of the presence of Srinath in the saddle but she finished a dismal last. Rare Talent plodded on to be a poor third. Alagi once again let down her supporters as she slackened in the final furlong. It was left to Kinrara to bring off a big upset, with the fancied trio of Alagi, Power of Dreams and Ariba packing up without a fight. Md Thameem on Time Is Life incurred the wrath of the Stewards for not being forceful on his mount. Apart from Thameem, the other professional to get similar treatment was jockey Vivek who was suspended for six race days for dropping the whip on Alagi in her previous run. This was the third instance of the jockey losing the whip during the ongoing season.