After a disappointing effort in her last essay, finishing more than 15 lengths behind the talented Cool Rider, Scintillating Lass produced a gutsy performance in the hands of leading pro Srinath to come out tops in the Governor's Trophy run over a mile on the penultimate day of the winter season. The winner despite her much below par last start was fancied to come good, taking into account that the Sulaiman Attaollahi youngster was fancied most in the plum event. The winner had consistently caught the eye in the morning trials,but the debate making the round was, is the filly good enough to put back the dismal effort and get on the high road. Well to the delight of her many supporters she did it pegging back the challenge of the Mysuru hopeful Chashni from Rakesh's yard. The runner-up piloted by Trevor Patel in defeat was not disgraced and lives to fight another day.The Hyderabad challenger Soloist from Sequeira's yard failed to match strides with the first two and finished a tame third ahead of Silvarius. 

Sulaiman earlier led in the lesser fancied Malwa, winner of the Leading Owner Trophy. The winner powerfully piloted by Hyderabad champion Akshay Kumar like Scintillating Lass had failed to produce his best in his last effort, finishing down the field in a sprint event and much to the surprise of most knowledgeable and ,many old hats in the game called the shots, the moment he seized initiative at the distance post before cruising home in style. The enhanced performance of Malwa stunned the followers of form but it is not Malwa alone who has defied form and won, many others have done the same and hopefully the men exercising vigil will keep a close watch on the norm and form in the summer season. The favourite Velocidad in this event graced the wrong end of the field for most part of the seven furlongs trip before Trevor Patel guiding the fortunes of the Pradeep ward swung him out entering the straight and packed power, The public choice did produce a satisfactory effort but that was just not good enough to stop Malwa and Alexander Dumas from claiming the first two places. 

After the Neil Darashah schooled Mountain Lion dropped Srinath and bolted on his way to the starting gates the stipes and stewards rightly chose to withdraw the top fancy in the Leading Stud Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. Most railbirds who had pinned their hopes on the Neil ward looked confused the moment the favourite was withdrawn. Some chose to take a chance on the Ganapathy-trained Classic Charm while See My Heels from Satish Narredu's yard also attracted support. But it was the Irfan Ghatala schooled Griffin who chalked out his second straight success in the hands of the promising four kilo apprentice Salman Khan. Salman produced a neat effort on the shock winner, pushing him ahead at the distance post and giving his best when the race came on a boil to beat Trevor astride Katana and Arshad Alam piloting Twinkle Feet and Darshan on Classic Charm in a blanket finish. Salman appears a promising apprentice and if he continues to work hard and keep focus,he is certain to guide home a good number of winners in the summer season. 

Taking a cue from Salman, another four-kilo claimer Saqlain produced a heartwarming effort on the Lokanath Gowda schooled Striking Memory in the concluding event, the Seabiscuit Salver run over a distance of seven furlongs. Saqlain pushed Striking Memory to the front the moment the dozen runners came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip, riding hands and heels to keep the Lokanath ward going all the way in the straight. The winner who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring, on his performance on the Invitation Cup day at Mysuru was heads and shoulders above his 11 rivals but the fact that Striking Memory was drawn (12)  badly and with the inexperienced apprentice needing to do a lot at the start many railbirds discounted his chances preferring to go with Marco Polo. But Saqlain justified the confidence of Lokanath in him while registering his maiden success while Marco Polo again failed to make the frame much to the chagrin of his supporters. HappyDancing piloted by another new apprentice Aliyar gained the runner-up spot ahead of Adela while Another Rainbow only managed to fill the frame. 

Zervan produced a near-perfect effort on Mystic Eye who recorded her second straight success. The winner from Kishen Thomas' yard was second in demand at the betting counters,last start winner Copper Sunrise garnering maximum support. The favourite partnered by Akshay Kumar hit the front as the heads turned for home and held the advantage into the final furlong before Zervan setalight Mystic Eye and the speedy customer sped through to assume command and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Flamingo Road finished a creditable third and it will pay to keep an eye on him in the opening weeks of the summer season. 

The Ganapathy schooled got-abroad filly Own Legacy made a smashing debut in the Premium Spirit Plate run over a distance of 1400M. Trevor astride the promising filly hit the front the moment the dozen juveniles came under the starter's flag and after that it was Own Legacy, playing  catch me if you can and romping home in effortless style. Mitsuro from Pradeep's yard edged out the Parvati Byramji schooled Ohanna to gain the second place while War Chieftain came home fourth. Own Legacy appears a good type of youngster and her progress in summer is certain to evoke interest. 

The well fancied Rule Of Engagement and Royal Blossom from Arjun Manglorkar's yard justified the top billing, reigning supreme to the delight of the supporters. The Arjun ward won in resplendent fashion and now that she has broken ice, Royal Blossom is set to provide an encore when saddled next in summer. 

In a close finish, the seven to one shot Azeemki Princess won the opening event, the Good-Bye Plate in the hands of H M Akshay. The winner edged out lesser fancied Song And Dance from Dominic's yard, a `neck' separating the two at the wire. Altair from Sharath Kumar's yard was a shaky favourite and it came as no surprise when the Sharath Kumar ward failed to make the board.