Iron Age (Strong Suit – Intrigue, Manjri Stud) was most impressive while literally cantering home to win the Christmas Cup, the feature event of the day, in great style. The Imtiaz Sait trainee outclassed his reputed opponents and dominated through the race to make every post a winning one. He was off in a flash and cruised into the lead effortlessly. It was clear that Silver Flames was striving to keep pace even in the early part of the race. Intense Stylist, perhaps, was the only one who was within reasonable distance of Iron Age and prevented the winner from extending the margin to a ridiculous distance. 

Iron Age entered the straight on tight reins with jockey YS Srinath pretty confident even as Intense Stylist was making an effort to draw a bit closer. The rest were not up to it as Iron Age galloped further away on turning for home. He looked the winner long way from home and reduced the stretch-run into a mere formality. Intense Stylist followed the winner home two lengths behind with the rest nearly six lengths further back. Iron Age clearly was far too superior and is back in business after a shockingly poor show in the Sprinters’ at Mysore. He showed his speed and class with a nippy sub 1:09 timing, that without having to step on the gas, reclaiming that he is one among the best in the speed business on the circuit. Intense Stylist did well to finish close enough and should add to his tally sooner than later. 

Kildare (Leitir Mor – Awarding, Poonawalla Stud) was another star performer on the day, galloping to his fourth win on his seventh career start. Sitting on the tail of Golden Guest right from the start until into the straight, Kildare surged ahead approaching the distance post. Golden Guest fought hard, but could not sustain. Kildare dominated the final furlong and stretched out gamely to score by over three lengths. Golden Guest ended a good second, well ahead of Mystic Bay. 

Trainer Karthik Ganapathy saddled two ‘first time’ winners, both achieving their victories on their first outing. Ladida (Kingda Ka – Hugoshair, Nanoli Stud) settled nicely in the mid-pack as New Castle, Kingsway and King Cyrus raced in front in the early stages. The first named faded out even before the turn, while Kingsway led them into the straight. Cabo Da Roca was huffing and puffing at the turn so didn’t raise too many hopes. Irina progressed well and made a surge for the lead soon on turning for home. Ladida was moved out deftly by jockey TS Jodha and she raced ahead of Irina easily and then accelerated further ahead to win comfortably. Irina fought until the end, but lost to a better rival on the day. Cabo Da Roca ended a tame third.   

Aries (Corporate Jungle – Olympic Skater, Hazara Stud) justified the support he got being the tote favourite on his first outing. The Karthik trainee settled well as Love Warrior and then The Protector led the field until into the straight. 

Jockey Bhawani Singh astutely avoided the possible traffic congestion and moved out to make his bid from the safer side. He didn’t take too long to take charge, but had to encounter a stiff challenge from Fast Rain. These two pulled away from the rest and Aries sustained his acceleration and kept his stranglehold on the lead all the way, stretching a bit further to win convincingly. Fast Rain did well for his first outing and ended a good second. Nishk improved in the straight to beat Succession for place money. 

Himmat Singh trained Sandalphon (Serious Spender – Sans Pareil, Kunigal Stud) was even more impressive while lining up his second win on the trot. Jockey TS Jodha had him in the mid-bunch as Timeless Deeds led them into the homestretch. Retained Asset, also looking for an encore, shot past the leader to take charge early in the straight. However, Saldalphon arrived with a sizzling gallop to zip ahead of Retained Asset soon after and then stormed ahead to win drawing away with more than five lengths to spare at the post. Retained Asset ended second, well ahead of Romanesque. 

Powerful Lady (Power – Private Life, Jai Govind Stud) managed to reverse her last standing vis-à-vis Costa Rica and pulled off a narrow victory to notch up her maiden win. Jockey A Sandesh rode out Powerful Lady once she got past the front runners soon on turning for home. Costa Rica took his time to warm up but came at Powerful Lady with a strong challenge, only to fall shy by a neck. The Sunderji ward held on grimly to thwart the late challenger in the nick of time; it could have been a different story had there been a couple of strides more to go.  There weren’t any and Powerful Lady returned victorious, while Costa Rica will live to fight another day. Super Girl survived to finish in the money from the fast finishing Evangeline. The last named did well to recover from a slow-ish start and improved considerably in the homestretch and did well to finish in the frame.  Fuhrer, who was prominent until into the straight, could not quicken and disappointed his supporters.

Narendra Lagad’s Northern Singer (Chinese Whisper – Octagleam, Tohna Stud) produced her best run to date to achieve her maiden success on her seventh start.  The four year old filly showed good early speed to snatch the lead from Tristar soon on settling down. There was no looking back for her as she grew stronger in the straight and raced well ahead to look the winner as early as midway down the straight. She piled up a huge five-length-plus margin to score a convincing win. Tristar just managed to hold on for the runner-up berth from Gold Member. 

Just as Narendra Lagad had started the day on a winning note, he signed off alike as well with his ward Abraxas (Roi Maudit – Flaming Ruby, country Stud) pulling off a surprisingly comfortable win, her fourth overall, but first over the six furlong sprint. Settling in the front bunch but behind leaders About the Cloud and Saltbae, Abraxas produced a strong finishing gallop that floored the rest. She took off soon on entering the straight and kicked on gamely to win by a good measure of comfort in the hands of apprentice Aniket Karande. Colosseum chased the winner home while Saltbae managed to take the third spot ahead of Arabian Storm. 

For the professionals, trainers Narendra Lagad, SK Sunderji, and Karthik Ganapathy saddled a double each, while jockeys A Sandesh and TS Jodha scored a double each as well.