Multifaceted emerged the best sprinter in style. The Darius Byramji ward surprisingly was not fancied most in the Sprinters Trial Stakes, Golden Oaks from trainer S Padmanabhan’s yard garnering maximum support. But the young challenger found the classy speedy customer too hot to handle and the race was over much before it came on a boil. The moment Multifaceted jumped out and Srinath pushed him out in front, the Darius ward assumed command and was in total control of the race. That Golden Oaks under the whip came close at the top of the straight failed to make an impression on the winner, who was piloted in emphatic fashion by the leading pro Srinath, who toyed with his arch rival without unduly extending the top sprinter. On the strength of this performance, Multifaceted is again a frontline contender for the Sprinters’ Cup in Mumbai this year after failing in his mission to wear the best sprinter sash at Mysuru last year.

All credit to Darius to keep the star performer in best of health and in fine form taking into account that Multifaceted on more than one occasion has failed to justify top billing in major events. Snowdon, who finished third behind Golden Oaks appears to have improved and it will not be long before this stablemate of Golden Oaks earns his cornbill.

Multifaceted apart, the winning debutant Ascoval from Padmanabhan’s yard was the most impressive winner in the eight-event card which saw most punters return home with a big hole in the pocket. Competing in the World Radio Day Plate run over a sprint, the big made Ascoval, who had caught the eye while producing a couple of blazing efforts in the morning trials was fancied to make a winning debut, while Southern Dynasty from Ganapathy’s yard and Winmylove from the stables of Arjun Manglorkar, who was strongly supported in his maiden appearance also had their fair share of followers. Ascoval like Multifaceted hit the front and pulled the plug and fused out his 11 rivals like a seasoned performer. The fact that the Padmanabhan ward in his first start performed like an experienced campaigner augurs well for the talented son of Excellent Art and the Aggarwal brothers, Rajan and Gautam, it is needless to mention will be immensely pleased that they have one good talented boy, who holds promise to make the big league in the months ahead. Southern Dynasty and Winmylove disappointed most. The former failed to make the frame while Winmylove finished a poor fourth behind the runner-up Ruling Goddess and Electric Blue.

In the opening event, Prashanth Dhebe suffered a bad head injury following a fall from the M R Singh-trained Ruler Of Nation. It is learnt that Prashanth is under observation following medication and the doctors will take a call if the jockey needs to undergo surgery on Sunday. Ruler Of The Nation is not a sound galloper and it will do a world of good if the stipes stop the M R Singh ward from racing unless he is found fit in a couple of mock races. Ultimate Choice from Prithviraj’s yard came up trumps in the event. The no hoper, who shocked his 11 rivals including the heavily backed Activated paid a rich dividend of Rs 373 on a tenner at the tote window. Top News finished second ahead of Activated who now has let down large following in his last two starts.

It was good to see Arvind Ganapathy lead in Smithsonian, the winner of the lower division of the Talked Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner who had produced a couple of notable efforts this season streaked ahead approaching the final curve and Imran Khan guiding the fortunes of the Arvind ward never let the initiative slip packing punch in the final furlong to peg back the belated effort of the favourite Golden Memory from trainer Lokanath’s yard. Smoke The Grass finished third while the Prasanna Kumar schooled Copper Sunrise who was sweetly and quietly fancied by the insiders and the right connections failed to make an impression. Now that Arvind Ganapathy has broken the ice he may lead in a couple more before the curtains are drawn this winter.

The upper division of the event was claimed by the four to one shot Allabouther from the stables of Arjun Manglorkar. Anthony Raj confidently took the winner to the front the moment 11 contestants after the favourite In The Breeze opted out before the horses made their way to the starting gate. Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Arlette closed the favourite in the event, but all she could do was finish strongly to pip Shivalic Gold for the runner-up berth. Allabouther romped home in style and can score again if Arjun places her in a moderate set when next saddled.

Dreams United from Sharath Kumar’s yard was the top fancy in the Manasa Sarovara Plate run over a mile. The favourite was touted as one good and safe bet. But halfway home in this mile long journey it was clear that the Sharath ward would take a lot of good money down the drain. He did just that failing to figure even on the board. The lesser fancied six to one shot My Vision from trainer Neil Darashah’s yard won the event in the hands of Nazer-Ul-Alam. Gazebo Talk finished second ahead of Mrs Thatcher. The winner appears a stout stayer and will readily provide an encore if his connections race him over longer trips.

Neil later registered a double, Night Secret recording her second straight success this season. The winner made an impressive pillar to post effort in the hands of Arshad Alam who was chosen to guide the fortunes of the winner after Prashanth Dhebe was unseated in the opening event. The on-money favourite Livisilla from Padmanabhan’s yard, who had made a fine impression while posting her first win in her last essay performed below par and only managed to come home third behind See My Heels. Night Secret on the strength of this performance is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next.

A facile last start winner, Colonel Harty was the solitary favourite to score in the competitive eight-event card. The winner piloted in copybook fashion by Sai Kiran proved too good for his 10 rivals, winning with a measure of comfort from Alpha and stablemate Alexandre Dumas who caught the eye, saving money in place after gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the journey.