The Ooty races resumed at Chennai, which was a first, and the day panned out showcasing exciting races through the day. The first couple of races saw outsiders come through, however, the form horses caught on later in the day, but this was to be expected as the runners were all racing after a layoff.

The Madras Race Club Cup had a strong fancy in Foley trained Mzilikazi and the firm favourite thrilled his supporters by scoring an emphatic victory by close to three lengths. It was all smooth sailing for Mzilikazi (Kingda Ka – Al Khazneh) who was in striking position right through. He improved steadily once they turned for home and he did not have to toil too hard to catch up with leader Classic Remark approaching the distance post. Jockey Zervan egged Mzilikazi on and the gelding stretched sweetly to pull away from Classic Remark inside the final furlong. He was fluent in his gallop and pocketed the Madras Race Club Cup in style. Classic Remark stayed ahead of the rest and returned second best with a good effort. Angelino improved considerably to finish a good third ahead of Priceless Ruler.

Lady Royal (Knight’s Tour – Power Drive) made a memorable debut scoring a thumping win beating her more fancied stablemate by a big margin. Glorious Symphony showed good early speed and led them all the way into the straight. Subjucate was right behind the leader, while Lady Royal travelled sweetly in third and along the inner rails. Glorious Symphony was fighting off Subjucate inside the final 400 meters when Lady Royal saw her chance to slip in through the rails. Jockey Nikhil Naidu confidently urged the Sebastian trained filly through the narrow gap and the filly accelerated quickly to shoot through and seal the race. Lady Royal sped ahead and away from the fighting duo and pulled off a runaway victory by a margin of four lengths. Glorious Symphony fought off Subjucate to take the runner-up berth thwarting Subjucate’s serious challenge, the latter finishing a decent third.

Trainer Sebastian’s Mr Kool (Knight’s Tour – La Prado) finished on powerfully pegging back popular fancy Race for the Stars close home in a fiercely fought race. Race for the Stars led them all the way into the straight and had a handy lead too. She had shaped well in the early half of the homestretch but then, Mr Kool, with jockey Nikhil Naidu in the saddle, started to close-in at a brisk rate. Race for the Stars fought all the way, however, Mr Kool was unstoppable when he hit top speed inside the last 100 meters and he zipped ahead closer home to carve out a narrow half-length victory. Mr Kool thus reversed their last start positions when Race for the Stars had pushed him off the frame when they had last met in May 2021. Big Treasure fought off Annexed and Branka for the place stakes.

Pense’e (Varenar – Cogito Ergo Sum) made a roaring appearance down south on her first run on this turf to clinch the upper division of the Star Maker Handicap. She was fairly consistent on the western India circuit and obviously adapted well on the new track as well. Jockey Neeraj Rawal had the Mckeown trained filly at the tail of the front bunch as half the field was racing in front of her.

Angel Heart was in command as they turned for home with Glorious Trust in hot pursuit. Neeraj pulled Pense’e out and made a strong bid from the outside. Angel Heart was ridden hard to stay in the fight as was Glorious Trust. As these two were fighting for the lead, Pense’e swooped on the pair and took away the verdict a stride from the winning post. Pense’e won by a short-head from Glorious Trust with a blistering finish; Angel Heart ended a close third.

The Sebastian-Nikhil Naidu duo scored their third win for the day while claiming the lower division of the King Maker Handicap with Shalem (Corporate Jungle – Off The Record). This one too ended in a thrilling three-way finish with Shalem putting in that extra bit at the all-important end.

Pirate’s Love got off to a flying start and led until beaten on the last couple of strides. Otis and Shalem were close behind the leader with no threat looming from the others including the fancied Manzoni who was never prominent.

Pirate’s Love kicked on as they entered the straight and was making it tougher for the two behind him. Shalem poked through between the leader and Otis and made a forceful charge ahead. Pirate’s Love gave all he had but Shalem got him eventually to win by just under one length. Otis ended third another length away. Rippling Waters raised some hope half way down the straight as he came with a rush, but she could not sustain and this run should strip her fitter.

Ramanathan trained Incredible Star (Win Legend – Integrate) emerged from the third spot with a steaming finish to stretch away in the final few strides to pick up the Resilient Handicap convincingly.  Jockey Vikram bided his time until they turned for home with Palsy Walsy at the helm. Skylight was working hard to rev up as he joined Palsy Walsy with less than 400 to go. Incredible Star started to warm up nicely and came up between these two with a game gallop. Once he hit top gear, incredible Star looked too good as he bounded forward and took command with his scorching gallop. He stretched away from them all to score by a healthy margin of over two lengths. Star Fling ran on to pip Palsy Walsy for the second spot while Skylight ended a close fourth.

Daiyamondo (Foyer – Diamond Dancer) kicked off the day’s proceedings rising to the occasion with a terrific stretch run to cover considerable leeway and then galloping away to win by a big margin of three lengths.

Driftwood Pacific had a big lead coming into the homestretch with Beauregard in second, almost five lengths behind. Daiyamondo moved up from the third position making steady headway and bridging the gap briskly. Driftwood Pacific ran out of gas half way down the straight and succumbed meekly as Daiyamondo dominated the final furlong. The Futnani trained mare was ridden out well by jockey Surya Prakash as they marched on ahead to score a comfortable victory. King’s Pride ran on to pick up the place money.

For the professionals, trainer J Sebastian and jockey Nikhil Naidu scored a treble each.