Arjun Manglorkar trained Stockbridge (Speaking of Which – Sheryl, Usha Stud) fresh after his last start win in Bangalore, showed little travel duress as he produced a dazzling dash at the all-important end to snatch a narrow win while claiming the Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr2) in a thrilling fashion. Count of Savoy, who also put up a grand show, led all the way until beaten in the last couple of strides.

Darting to the front soon on start, Count of Savoy set a steady pace all through. He was followed by a close-knit bunch comprising Blue Origin, Painted Apache, Ashwa Raudee, Buckley and Stockbridge, while the rest were not too far behind with Fire Power at the tail end.

Count of Savoy shaped well on turning for home and had a handy lead. Blue Origin fought on, but could not get anything extra, hence was going nowhere. Ashwa Raudee showed bits of spark, but could not find the depth required to make much impact on the leader. Stockbridge, with jockey Anthony Raj astride, switched lanes and once he got a clear run, he started to inch closer. Count of Savoy was ridden out and did make it tough for Stockbridge, however, the Arjun Manglorkar trainee put in a determined effort in the last 100 meters to force his way ahead and surge past Count of Savoy in the nick of time to carve out victory by just half a length. Count of Savoy will rue the result going against him as he too ran a commendable race only to see his effort go down in a matter of two strides. Ashwa Raudee too produced a good effort to finish third.

Jockey Anthony Raj was the only pro to achieve a double on the day as he had earlier partnered debutante Ballerina (Sanus Per Aquam – Belladee) bred at the Kunigal Stud farm, to achieve a memorable debut victory. Ballerina made her sire proud too as she was her sire Sanus Per Aquam’s first progeny to race, thus giving him the rare distinction of a victorious debut as well.

Ballerina capitalised on a quick start and finished with a powerful run to win convincingly. Jockey Anthony Raj got her off the blocks quickly and then settled close behind leader Lights On and Almas until into the straight.

Lights On didn’t last too long as Almas quickened in the straight to take charge with about 400m to go. Ballerina was right on the tail of Almas and gradually progressed to come abreast with Almas. The pair fought a couple of strides, before Ballerina, from trainer Prasad Raju’s yard, accelerated smoothly and drew away from Almas to win comfortably, showing good temperament as well. Almas did well too finishing a fighting second, clearly ahead of Wind Sprite.

Market King (Leitir Mor – Only For Gold), trained by Sunderji, was the shortest priced runner of the day and he duly won, although Lagos stretched him in the last part.

Incredulous hit the front with Her Legacy alongside, Lagos and Market King were close behind with the rest a couple of lengths away. Into the straight, Market King flexed his muscles and soon galloped past the two in front. Lagos had to skirt around and move to the outside for clear passage. Market King, with CS Jodha up, started to stretch away approaching the distance post. Lagos went in chase and seemed a threat when he started to quicken. However, he drifted out under pressure and that cost him dearly. Market King kept a ‘arrow-straight’ course and held off the challenger by less than a length at the wire. Xfinity and Staridar improved positions to take the minor slots.

Icicle (Tenth Star – Connemara) put in a determined show to quell the challenge from Kesariya Balam to achieve her third success in five starts. The Netto trained filly settled well in the third spot as DRD and Mark My Day led the field into the straight.

Icicle soon shifted gears and jockey Ashhad Asbar got her going to work up a handy lead. Kesariya Balam made a strong bid and was closing-in on Icicle. The pair fought the final furlong but Icicle managed to ward off Kesariya Balam and won by half a length. Lamha improved considerably, rallying from the last position to finish a good third.

Deshmukh trained Bugsy (Ampere – Bee Quick) scored a facile victory, his second in three starts, in the hands of jockey PS Chouhan. Bugsy was hemmed up between horses in the first half of the race as Lifetime and Moonlight Romance led the field homewards. Bugsy wriggled out soon and once he was clear he looked the winner very early. White the rest were all-out, Bugsy galloped majestically devouring ground despite being hard-held. He soon tore away from the pack and dominated the final furlong. He won by over four lengths effortlessly, striding fluently all through. Keystone was never in the hunt, racing closer to the rear most of the way, but he did make headway to take the second berth well ahead of Sheldon, who too rallied from the rear. Bugsy was by far the most impressive of the lot and can be expected to add to his tally before long.

Rising Queen (West Virginia – Beau Ideal) produced a sparkling gallop in the homestretch to score a runaway victory by over six lengths. Jockey Abhay Singh settled the Robin Reddy trainee in the fourth spot as Furious Fun and Golden Forza guided them into the straight.

Rising Queen started to accelerate soon past the 400m and when she was full throttle, she simply tore away from the rest. There was not one challenger in sight as Rising Queen galloped fluently all the way and was eased up well before the winning post. City of Blossom made headway in the final few strides to beat Golden Forza for the second slot.

Team Player (Decado – Aariya) finally achieved his maiden success after a long wait over two years from his debut and after 19 previous attempts. He therefore, was at his career best on the day and won handsomely. He raced in second after leading briefly with NRI City leading them into the straight.

N R I City worked hard to stay in contention but soon Team Player found his touch and galloped resolutely to take charge approaching the distance post. Once in the lead, Team Player, with Gaurav Singh astride, quickened well and although he was a bit erratic and drifted around, he was firmly in control and kicked on to win by more than two lengths. Sorry Darling improved positions to take the runner up berth finishing slightly ahead of Starwalker and Jo Malone.

Akshay Kumar struck in the concluding race of the day, piloting trainer Hassan’s Stunning Force (Lord Admiral – Czarina) to an emphatic victory. Sitting in second behind leader Sandown Park until into the straight, Stunning Force dashed to the front galloping with giant strides and bounding away from the rest. He sure had improved considerably after his recent second and was all on his own in the final furlong, eventually winning it by a healthy margin.  Angelita made good progress in the homestretch to finish a fair second, while Sandown Park held on to finish in the money.

Jockey Anthony Raj was the lone pro to score a double.