Kesariya Balam (Knight's Tour – Brindisi) produced a dazzling finish to demolish the opposition, coming into his own this time after finding one better in his last two starts. Jockey Akshay Kumar settled the Sequeira ward way behind as Skipton set a good pace for the 1800m journey.

Skipton prolonged his lead after turning for home and kicked on at a good pace until into the final furlong. Scramjet was ridden out and labored his way past the leader but could not sustain to hold on. Summer Night too could not produce that extra zip needed. It was Kesariya Balam who picked up speed approaching the distance post and when he lit up, it was curtains for the rest. He flashed past them all and then bounced away to score by close to four lengths. Scramjet held Summer Night to finish a well-beaten second.

In Contention (Leitir Mor – Remembrance of You), trained by Sunderji, achieved his first win at Hyderabad and his second overall, making ample amends for his last start failure. The run had spurred him on and he was all pepped up this time. Jockey CS Jodha settled him in the mid-bunch early on and gradually moved up to fourth at the turn. Moringa led them into the straight, but in Contention was ready to make an early strike. He zipped past Moringa easily and then showed pleasing acceleration to stretch away from them all. It was all over as In Contention marched on ahead dominating the final furlong and pulling off an impressive victory. Galwan tried hard but was no match to the winner and had to be content with turning out the next best. Moringa held on narrowly to finish in the money, warding off the late improving Crazy Horse.

Favourite Philanthropist (Roderic O’connor – Nearness of You) snatched a maiden win by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling contest that went to the wire. Amalfitana led from the start but fizzled out even before the turn. Nightmare shaped well leading the field into the straight and she even stepped up to increase her lead.  Dream Station Greeks Ace fell back too as Philanthropist started to draw closer to Nightmare. Bold Bidding and Queen Blossom were warming up when jockey CS Jodha went into the lead with Philanthropist. It was Queen Blossom who picked up well to challenge Philanthropist. She came threateningly and provided a stiff challenge in the last few strides and the pair dashed past the winning post together. Sunderji trained Philanthropist emerged winner by the shortest of margins. Queen Blossom was unfortunate to have gone down so narrowly and should have her day soon. Bold Bidding too ran a good race while finishing third.

Essential (Roderic O’connor – Skyelight) benefitted well from his debut experience and showed marked improvement this time out. Essential had a task on hand when she took the turn from the wider out, while Midsummer Star got a lovely rail run to slip past early leader Fame Forever soon on turning for home. Midsummer Star shaped well and even built a handy lead leaving the rest to chase him down. Essential started to put in the extra effort in the hands of jockey Mukesh Kumar and started to bridge the gap with every stride. In the last fifty Midsummer Star felt the pressure as Essential gathered enough speed to topple Midsummer Star a stride or two from the winning post to register a memorable maiden win. Midsummer Star fought gallantly to finish a good second. London Bell too ran a forward race and did well to beat favourite Pleroma to finish third.

Sreekant trained Gregor Clegane (David Livingstone) found his touch while claiming his maiden win on his seventh start. He moved up from the third spot at the turn to surge into the lead approaching the distance post. He had a small cushion in the final furlong and jockey Aneel exploited that slight advantage to hold on from the fast finishing duo of Grand Duke, Sea Wolf and Despang. Sea Wolf was the pick of the beaten lot, rallying well from the rear to finish a close third behind Gregor Clegane and Grand Duke. Beauty Flame (Whatsthescript – Jack In The Cat) too registered her maiden success on her 14th start with a fluent gallop. She was off to a good start and led for the first furlong before settling close behind Special Effort until into the straight. Beauty Flame wrested back the lead in the straight and changed gears swiftly to dart ahead and build a handy lead past the distance post. Jockey Gaurav Singh ensured that the Ravinder Singh trained filly had enough momentum going to win with a measure of comfort. Pacific Command improved well towards the end and finished a notable second and should be a force to reckon with in his next outing. Sally ran on to finish in the money.

Her seventh start proved fruitful for Netto trained Exotic Dancer (Air Support – Exotic Fantasy) and the filly brought about her maiden success in a clinical fashion. He was off to a quick start and never looked back. She got stronger in the straight and soon had a decisive lead of more than three lengths midway down the straight. Favourite Turning Wheel was in futile chase of the winner all through. She was uncertain and a bit raw for her second run and ran without purpose this time. However, she is bound to improve and this run would be a positive learning experience for the rookie filly. Miss Little Angel finished well to snatch the second place from Turning Wheel.

For the professionals, trainer Sunderji and jockey CS Jodha combined to score a double.