The in-form Salazaar from the stables of Irfan Ghatala justified his top billing winning the Chief Minister`s Trophy in emphatic fashion on Saturday.  

Anjeze hit the front and set a good pace all through the 2000 metres trip followed by the nohoper Big Sur from Padmanabhan's yard while Suraj Narredu settled Salazaar nice and easy in the third position. Anjeze brought the field into view and held the advantage till the distance post before  Salazaar stormed ahead and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Point To Prove edged out stablemate Royal Crystal from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard to gain the third spot. 

Earlier, Irfan Ghatala led in Akita Pro, a surprise winner of the Godolphin Barb Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. Shamaz Shareef produced a copybook effort on the winner who produced her best while the public choice Peluche in the hands of Suraj Narredu performed below par much to the chagrin of his supporters. Velocidad did well to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Alexandre Dumas. 

Rajesh Narredu-trained Priceless Gold, who made a smashing debut was fancied most in the Indian Army Plate run over a mile and the favourite to the delight of the favourite punters produced a winning gallop at the all-important end to provide an encore. The winner is in great heart and is tipped to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. Colonel Harty caught the eye while finishing second ahead of Grey Channel who also garnered good support following his two notable earlier efforts. But all that the grey could do was hang on to save place money. 

On the strength of his good showing in his last essay the Prasanna Kumar-trained First Impression was backed to the exclusion of his 11 rivals in the upper division of the Raj Ghat Plate run over a sprint and the winner produced a smart effort in the hands of Suraj to romp home a deserving winner. A delighted owner Swaroop Kumar disclosed that First Impression was knocking at the door and in fact looked ready to strike after his eye-catching effort in his last essay. "First Impression looked fit and ready and we four owners were confident that he would sail home and he did just that," said Swaroop. Padmanabhan-trained Black Coffee too garnered strong support but failed to realise the potential to make a race of it at end. Jokshan finished second ahead of Michigan Melody who raced in patches.

Kishan Thomas-trained Aztec Queen was head and shoulders above the rest in the second division of the event. The half-money favourite provided Zervan an arm-chair ride to success. Impeccable gallantly held on to finish second ahead of the fast finishing Radiant Treasure. The lowest division of the race was claimed by thee lesser fancied Shivalic Gold from trainer Neil Darashah's yard. Chetan Gowda astride the winner produced a neat effort to gain the day pegging back the belated effort of the public rage Exaltation.

Likith Appu, the son of former champion jockey K P G Appu booted home his first winner, Sea Of Cortez from Neil Darashah's yard winng the Gaganachukki Plate in a common canter. Likith pushed Sea Of Cortez to the front and the winner never let the initiative slip romping home by a widening margin of nine lengths. Super Gladiator who had his share of supporters found the front-runner too hot to handle and had to settle for the second spot, while Ultimate Striker came home third. 

A facile last start winner, The Response from Sharath Kumar's yard proved too good in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Plate run over a sprint. And on the strength of this performance is in line to register a hat-trick if his connections place him well in his next effort. Gin Daisy came from way off the pace to take the second spot ahead of Songkran.