RH Sequeira trained Smashing Blue (Win Legend – Twice Over) who had compiled five wins on the trot, broke the winning streak when she went to Mumbai (On Pune Track) for the Guineas which also was an out-of-comfort-zone distance-wise too for the filly. Now back on home turf, she brushed aside that loss and was at her fashionable best once again. 

Off the gates Smashing Blue settled behind leader Happy Together and ambled on until the turn. Once in the straight, Smashing Blue stepped it up and cruised past the leader to draw away from them all. Agni, Pontius Pilate none could measure up to Smashing Blue who raced away in the hands of Askhay Kumar, who eased the filly up strides before the winning post. Yours Forever finished-on well to take the runner-up berth and Long Range also came alive to pip Happy Together for the third spot. 

Lagos (Gusto – Blumarine) was another one to stretch his winning tally to four from four. The D Netto Trained filly had impressed on her December debut and hasn’t ceased to amaze yet, bringing up her fourth win in less than 90 days. She was up in class too and had to take on another strong contender in House of Diamonds, who too had recorded back-to-back wins recently. 

Lagos had an early go and led the field with Warrior Supreme for company. House of Diamonds was right behind them as they turned for home. Lagos galloped on hard held until past the 400 m mark and then began to accelerate well. While her companion faded away, House of Diamonds got down to chase her down. The challenger was a tad too late in picking up speed, but he finished with a good burst and was fast gaining on Lagos. However, jockey Suraj Narredu had expected that and astutely kept the filly going to ward off House of Diamonds and extract a narrow victory. Certitude improved to finish in the money.

Debutante All Time Legend (Top Class – Angeling) overcame perilous outward drift in the homestretch and when he came to grips, he produced a fiery run to surge ahead to post his memorable first win. Rivadavia looked good leading them into the straight and was galloping at a good rhythm. Pedro Planet and Inside Story who were close behind, made no impression on her. All Time Legend opened up but started to drift out. Jockey AA Vikrant did well to control the drift and pushed the youngster vigorously. All Time Legend picked up from there and was soon all over Rivadavia. Key To Time also quickened but in the end, All Time Legend won it by a length from Key To Time. Rivadavia held on to the third spot keeping Hot Seat at bay. 

With the withdrawal of Gregor Clegane and Burano, Kingston was the favourite and he did ample justice. Kingston (Corporate Jungle – Frizbee) was off to a flyer and amassed a huge lead early in the race. He entered the straight well ahead of the rest and jockey Nakhat Singh ensured there were no last minute surprises. It did look like Able Love was making progress, but Kingston was home and dry in the final furlong, kicking on to notch his maiden win by over three lengths. Able Love kept the second place, while Mauser finished close behind Able Love. 

Trainer Sequeira saddled The Special One (Burden of Proof – Athabasca Star) scored a dramatic come-from-behind victory, landing the spoils right on the post with Akshay Kumar timing his run to perfection. This was a rough sort of race with the field crowding-in and the one to suffer most for lack of room was Her Legacy. She got stuck on the inner rails and had to be checked at a crucial juncture having nowhere to go. Incredulous went for it from the start and was a length ahead of Her Legacy. Loch Stella was weakening so Her Legacy had to wait for the gap. NRI Magic prevented that from happening as the crowding began that sealed the fate for Her Legacy. Once More and The Special One and were at the rear end of the field and these two picked up momentum at a brisk rate. Once More finished with good speed while The Special One charged through between horses, making his own space and got the nod right passing the winning post in a three way finish. Once More beat Incredulous and the top three were separated by a ‘head’ each. Max was fourth just a length further behind. The top six had finished within a length!

Sequeira’s Lamha (Whatsthescript – La Surama) flew towards the end to score a comprehensive win, her first on her sixth essay. This was also Lamha’s first run over the mile trip. Apprentice jockey Abhay Singh settled Lamha closer to the rear end until they turned into the homestretch. 

Belle Springs had a handy lead with two furlongs to go; Prime Gardenia could not quicken, while Fashion Universe was just about keeping pace without progressing much. Castle Rock started to come in contention approaching the distance post which is when Lamha was set alight by Abhay Singh. The Sequeira trained filly produced a scorching gallop that left the others pedestrian. She cruised past them all to score an emphatic victory by a good margin of three lengths. Castlerock was beaten by a better one on the day and had to be content with the second place. Fashion Universe just about held on from Always Success to finish in the money. 

Prasad Raju’s Scramjet (Air Support – Scarlette) showed a terrific burst of speed in the final furlong to leave the field stunned. Gusty Note looked in command as they came into the homestretch. Augenstern weakened and fell back while Blissful was labouring to catch up with Gusty Note. Scramjet was more than five lengths away when they entered the final 200 meters. Blissful had barely caught up with Gusty Note when Scramjet came charging in with jockey Trevor in the saddle. He breezed past the fighting duo to score his maiden success with a good margin of two and half lengths. Blissful ran on to finish second, leaving Gusty Note behind by more than three lengths. In this form, Scramjet could notch up another win before long. 

Srinivas Reddy trained Destined To Be (Kingda Ka – Distorted Promise) brought up her maiden win on her seventh start. Jockey Akshay Kumar had the filly in third with NRI Gift at the helm. NRI Gift led them deep into the straight but could not sustain. With a furlong to go, Destined To Be started to work up at a good speed and soon she picked up acceleration to coast past NRI Gift and run away from the rest. Destined to Be won by a comfortable margin of two lengths. A Hundred Echoes improved considerably in the straight to finish a good second. Hip Hop galloped on to beat early leader NRI Gift for third place. 

For the professionals, trainer RH Sequeira and jockey Akshay Kumar scored a treble each.