Favourites ruled through the day at the Ooty meeting held at Chennai, as form and consistency ensured there were no jolts of bolts from the blue in the seven-race card. Trainer J Sebastian’s Radical Review (Lord Admiral –Ultimate Desire) obliged a large following as he finally managed to shake off his runner-up tag with a fine showing to bring about his second success on his eighth start, after finding ‘one better’  in his last three attempts.

Radical Review jumped out smartly and settled in third behind Avellino and Ganton until the turn. Avellino had left a big gap on his inside and jockey Nikhil Naidu grabbed the chance and shot through to go for the lead, perhaps earlier than intended. The move proved beneficial as Radical Review accelerated well and sped ahead to chalk up a useful lead. Those from the back had to cover the leeway and all Radical Review had to do was sustain the momentum all the way. Nikhil Naidu ensured that there were no late blushes as he urged Radical Review to stay well ahead, winning by over a length. Cavallo Vincente was the fastest of the beaten brigade and he improved to finish a game second. Star Elegant showed a bit of spirit until midway down the straight, but failed to quicken further, managing to save the place money.  

Diamonds And Pearls (Smuggler’s Cove – Soul Centric) showed tremendous improvement over his debut run in April to score his maiden win by a massive margin of more than 11 lengths. Diamonds And Pearls hit the front soon on start and galloped majestically, entering the straight with a sizable lead. Once into the straight, the Sebastian trained three-year-old gelding proved too good for his rivals as he stretched further away leaving them no chance whatsoever. He was all alone in front in the final 100 meters, and scored his first win easing up in the last part. An encore is well within his clasp going by this fashionable victory. Proposed, who finished faraway second, did show glimpses of form in doing so and should benefit from this run.   

Trainer Foley won both divisions of the Sky’s The Limit Handicap. In the lower division, strongly fancied Hallucinate (Whatsthescript – Leptis Magna) moved up from the fourth spot and finished on well to shed her maiden status on her fourth start. She settled behind Victory Walk, Arapaho and Right Move until the turn. This front running bunch was well ahead of the rest and remained so all the way.

Hallucinate looked in trouble momentarily when those on her outside closed in on the leader as they turned for home. Jockey S Zervan made a bold move through the narrow gap along the rails and shot through, charging in with a power-drive from along the rails. The move paid off as Hallucinate soon took charge and shot ahead into the lead. Right Move also gained ground, but shifted inward, being a bit erratic in the process. That proved costly for the colt as he ended a close second behind Hallucinate. Victory Walk ended a tame third. Right Move is one to be noted.

Eagle Prince (David Livingstone – Superjet) provided the double for Foley and a first win for apprentice jockey Sah Farid Ansari. Eagle Prince too raced along the rails and shot through the gap taking charge early in the straight.

Pinewood led them into the straight with Glorious Sunshine ready to pounce on the outside. Eagle Prince made a dash forward as Pinewood shifted out, giving enough room for the Eagle prince to do so. Once in the lead, the five-kilo claimer pushed Eagle Prince vigorously and sped away from the fighting Glorious Sunshine. Eagle Prince dominated the final furlong to win by a healthy margin of over three lengths. Glorious Sunshine found the winner too good and will live to fight another day. Way to Go made noteworthy progress in the homestretch and finished an eye-catching third after being the last one to turn for home.

Symphony In Style (Decado – Premiership) won the opening race of the day. The Uttaiah trained favourite had stablemate Dream Run alongside as they raced well ahead of the rest until the home turn. While the rest managed to catch up with Dream Run, Amazing Kitten even pegging Dream Run back to take the runner-up slot, Symphony in Style proved simply too superior to the field. The five year old mare won with plenty in hand to score by a big margin of close to seven lengths. Amazing Kitten made good progress among the rest to finish second, while Dream Run held on to the third spot holding off Queen Justitia.  

Star Fling (Net Whizz – Be The Star) from the stables of trainer B Suresh scored a facile victory in the hands of jockey Akshay Kumar in the upper division of the Shining Path handicap. Star Fling was dominant right from the start and led the field comfortably all the way. Star Fling looked the winner the moment they entered the straight as she picked up momentum with every stride and left the rest to pick up the minor slots. She went well clear past the distance post to win on a tight rein by over five lengths. Striking Distance ran on to beat Arithmatica for the runner-up berth.

Trainer Futani’s Eyes of Falcon (Marcus Andronicus – Innocent Eyes) provided apprentice Nazar Alam with his first win in the last race of the day. Nazar Alam kept his cool as he was off tardily yet managed to bide his time, sitting at the tail end of the closely huddled front bunch.

Break The Silence led them into the straight with Grey Twilight putting up a fight. Glorious Victory and Beauty of the Turf too were making their presence felt when Nazar moved out and got Eyes of Falcon to quicken. The six-year-old mare made a quick headway and joined the fighting quartet with a furlong to go. She was sharp and fast as she swooped upon them and surged ahead closer home to win in a thrilling fashion. Break the Silence held on to finish second ahead of Glorious Victory and Beauty of the Turf in a close finish. Eyes of Falcon was the pick of the lot and can score an encore.

For the professionals, trainer RJ Foley and J Sebastian saddled a double each, while among the jockeys, Nikhil Naidu scored double.