Prasanna Kumar’s Brunhild (Gusto – Star of China) achieved her first career success while bagging the Chettinad Cement Nilgiris 1000 Guineas (Gr3). She improved considerably over her two previous seconds and she had shown a spark of her condition in her latest work gallop. With that preparedness, Brunhild had ventured on the Chennai turf searching for her first win.

Taking off from the gates in a flash, Brunhild, ridden by jockey DS Deora, hit the front and never looked back. Runner-up Scruples was a bit tardy and was in the last position until into the straight.

Brunhid dictated the terms all the way into the homestretch and accelerated further to tighten her grip on the race. While Chashni and favourite Baby Bazooka tried hard to catch up, it was Scruples who made maximum progress among the beaten lot. Brunhild drifted out in the final furlong but had enough cushion and the momentum to kick on and win the race.  Considering that Scruples had to change course and overcome the early deficit, she did well to come within ¾ lengths of Brunhild at the wire. Scruples ran a good race too and can consider herself a tad unlucky not to have beaten the winner. Chashi, Baby Bazooka and Keystone finished in close order for the minor slots.

Multifaceted (Multidimensional – Dhaawiah) pocketed the Dr MAM Ramaswamy Memorial Trophy romping home to score his third straight win, his first on this turf, taking his career tally to an impressive 10th win from 17 starts.

The Darius Byramji trained gelding had no difficulty in beating a starry field comprehensively. Smashing hit the front soon on start but settled back as Royal Currency moved up to take charge. Multifaceted was always in striking distance, whereas favourite Born Queen raced was in the mid-pack until into the straight.

Multifaceted quickened soon on turning for home as jockey PS Chouhan swung into action. He surged clear of the field and looked in full control all the way to the winning post, scoring a comfortable victory by a good margin of four lengths. Born Queen had too much to do in the straight yet finished second well ahead of Victorious Sermon.

Krishna trained Renegade (Royal Gladiator – Mischevious Rose) displayed dazzling finishing gallop to snatch a close win, beating Magical Wish in the final few strides. Magical Wish had shaped well when he cruised past early leader Starlight soon on turning for home. Ayur Shakti put in a strong challenge in the early half of the homestretch, but found Magical Wish hard to toss. Magical Wish was about two lengths ahead and going well in the final furlong, when Renegade, with Azfar Sayeed in the saddle,  started to devour ground from the outside. Renegade picked up momentum and was getting closer with every stride and eventually pegged back Magical Wish to carve out a narrow half-length victory. Magical Wish was gallant in defeat and will wait to fight another day.  Ayur Shakti ran well to finish in the money.

Subjucate (Phoenix Tower – Hasta La Vista), trained by Mandanna, justified the all-round support she received and fought off a strong challenge from Fashion of Stars to notch up her maiden win on her sixth start.

Fashion of Stars led them into the straight and galloped gamely to stay ahead past the 400m mark. Jockey Kuldeep Singh then moved up to inch closer to the leader. These two pulled away from the rest and fought fiercely for the lead. They were going neck and neck for most part of the final furlong and half. Subjucate kept the pressure on and put in a determined bid to eventually out pace Fashion of Stars to win by just over one length. Fashion of Stars tried her best and went down fighting. Mystical Magician improved positions in the straight to finish in the money.

Sir Baffert (Knight’s tour – Berry Girl), from the stables of Futani, won by a good margin despite veering out alarmingly. Jockey KV Baskar had Mr Baffert was well ahead of the field on turning for home, but the gelding started to drift out considerably. He ended up on the outer rails and galloped on, his big lead seeing him through all the way. Mr Baffert opened his account on his third start by a margin of over four lengths. The fight was on only for the minor slots and Mayflower managed to pip Full of Surprise for the runner-up berth.

Off Shore Breeze (David Livington – Offshore Anna) scored an emphatic win in the hands of jockey Yash Narredu. Settling in the front bunch, Off Shore Breeze was quick to track down leader Royal Pearl soon on turning for home. Royal Pearl showed a bit of resistance but that was for only a brief while. Yash Narredu took charge approaching the distance post and fired away to score a comprehensive victory by a healthy margin. Royal Pearl finished behind the winner, but was well ahead of the third placed Beauteous Maximus.

Earlier in the day, trainer GS Parmar’s Asian Empress (Lucifer Sam – Sukanti) scored her second career victory, her first coming in Feb 2019. Jockey DS Deora, after being in the lead briefly got a check and fell back conceding about four lengths to joint leaders Sovereignaire and Romantic Bay in the early stages of the race. She made up the deficit at the turn and was ready to punce on the leaders. Sovereignaire weakened soon but Romantic Bay fought on deep into the straight. Asian Empress  surged ahead approaching the distance post but Romantic Bay stuck by her until into the final 100, where from Asian Empress stretched ahead to win by a length from Romantic Bay. Kings Pride too fought hard to pip Street Cat for the place money.

Jockey DS Deora was the lone pro to score a double.