Fancied horses ensured that form held good for the second day of the Ooty races run at Chennai, as either favourites or the ‘next-in-demands’ returned victorious through the day. 

Gods Plan (Leitir Mor – Stravella), from the stables of trainer Ramanathan, had to work hard to get past Emissary, the latter essaying it start to finish. Gods Plan too was quick to move behind the leader in the early stages and these two pulled away from the rest once in the homestretch. Emissary galloped enthusiastically and stayed ahead of Gods Plan for most of the homestretch. Gods Plan, ridden by Sai Kumar, then warmed up well in the last 100 meters to produce a cracking burst and surged ahead of Emissary to pull it off by half a length and claim the Div 1 of the Rare and Gorgeous handicap. Emissary fought all the way and was gallant in defeat. Torbert finished third warding off Catelyn. 

Wakeful (Net Whizz – Repique) had no such difficulty in the lower division of the race as jockey Surya Prakash guided the Futani trained filly to an emphatic victory by a widening margin of eight lengths. Wakeful dictated the terms right from the start, working up good early speed in the early stages and leading comfortably until they turned for home. From there on, Wakeful accelerated fluently; she stretched away sweetly to increase the distance with every stride, dominating her rivals all throughout the race. Lordship chased the winner all the way home. Octavian was the one to show pleasing improvement in the straight and he nearly got Lordship, falling shy by a neck eventually, but the six-year-old covered considerable ground and caught the eye. 

Trainer B Suresh was the pro of the day, sending out an impressive four winners. He started the day with a quick double. He won the opener with Rwanda (One Lucky Dane – Rah Wa) who made every post a winning one. 

She jumped out and darted to the front and once in the straight, she found a fine rhythm and galloped away to an easy victory, finishing well ahead of the rest. Fun Lover, although overwhelmed by the winner, galloped well to finish a clear second, well ahead of Full of Surprise. Fancied Golden Streak was under pressure even before they turned for home and just managed to figure in the frame. 

In the very next race, Suresh saddled Protea (Ravel – Calliope) and the filly needed the assistance of the jockey who is in fiery form – Akshay Kumar. She went for the lead soon after the start and led them into the straight. When those close behind Protea started to weaken, it looked like she would have it easy for the moment. However, Glorious Sunlight started to challenge Protea for the lead. Glorious Sunlight too was ridden hard and even got to about the leader’s shoulder, however, Akshay rode out vigorously all the way to ensure victory albeit by a ‘long-neck’.   The large number of supporters that Protea had ought to have heaved a sigh of relief as the challenger Glorious Sunlight did cause some anxious moments in the final furlong. Sirona showed a bit of spark midway in the straight, but failed to sustain, finishing a decent third. 

Amendment (Tagula – Faussement Simple) provided Suresh with his third win for the day and scored a thumping victory to win the Lovedale Cup with jockey Brisson in the saddle. Brisson drove Amendment to the front soon on start and stayed well ahead of them all  making it a one horse race. The three-year-old bay filly looked home and dry the moment they turned for home. She won on a tight rein, the jockey easing her up well before the winning post. She won handsomely by close to five lengths. Beauty of the Turf chased the winner all the way home, while Mayflower ended a tame third. 

Suresh Signed off with another resounding victory with Star Waves (Corporate Jungle – Yasmine). Star Waves, ridden by jockey Akshay Kumar, also won from start to finish as was the trend of the day. Taking off with alacrity, Star Waves led them into the straight hard-held and then quickened steadily to outpace his rivals with ease. Rhiannon was not getting anywhere but was working-on to stay in contention. There was no other threat in sight and Star Waves cruised to victory without having to be extended. Rhiannon had to keep pushing as My Kingdom started to close in rapidly. Rhiannon was lucky to hold on by the shortest of margins to finish second a whisker ahead of My Kingdom. Jockey Zervan was lucky to escape unhurt as he sustained a fall from his mount Celeritas soon on start. 

Sebastian trained Wind Symbol (Saamidd – Brindle Bug) won comfortably in the hands of jockey Yash Narredu. Hitting the front on settling down, Wind Symbol kept a safe distance ahead of the rest and entered the homestretch with a handy lead. 
Once in the straight, Yash got the gelding to accelerate well and worked up a fine rhythm. Dashing Beauty tried hard to catch up, but Wind Symbol kicked on gamely and managed to win easing up. Dashing Beauty finished second well ahead of Reign of Terror. 

Butterfly (Phoenix Tower – Kismat) got the better of tote favourite Royal Rules as the Fahad Khan trainee was in control right from the start. She entered the straight with Royal Rules in hot pursuit and when it looked like Royal Rules would come up with a serious challenge, Butterfly stepped on it to speed further ahead. Royal Rules took too much time to warm up and quickened fat too late. Butterfly held on even as Royal Rules got to her haunches, carving out a fine victory. Royal Rules just managed to cut down the margin to half a length while finishing second while Baller finished in the money. 

For the professionals, trainer B Suresh sent out four winners in the eight-race card, while jockey Akshay Kumar and Brisson scored a double each.