It was a perfect tribute from Parvati and Darius Byramji to the man they adored and loved, Rashid Byramji. The daughter-in-law chose to race Ravishing Form owned by the legendary trainer, who passed away five days ago. And the two other partners, Mukul Sonawala and Mrs Anasuya Gupta readily agreed to honour the man and provide a perfect tribute to the legend. And it turned out to be a Gun Salute from the family. Ravishing Form in the hands of Suraj Narredu bolted up to score in the Splendid Role Plate and the railbirds joined in to be a part of what was a well thought of tribute to the big humble giant of Indian racing.

Earlier, Elite Agent  from Narayan Gowda's yard  came out tops in the opening event to the delight of the racing buffs, who cheered the winner all the way to the winning post, understanding that the public choice was owned by Rashid Byramji. But this was not true considering that the Lord And Master of Indian racing, Parvati revealed,  had sold Elite Agent a couple of years ago and the new owner, it is learnt had not transferred the ownership in his name. Nevertheless the big cheer continued in the next event and the railbirds provided Parvati Byramji, a standing ovation. 

After joining in for the final salute, punters settled down and backed the Sharath Kumar schooled Lifeisamiracle to come up trumps in the upper division of the Indravati Plate. And the favourite readily obliged in the hands of  three kilo claimer Vishal Bunde. The topweighted Aferpi piloted by John gained the runner-up spot ahead of Black Whizz from M R Singh's yard who in her attempt to make every post a winning one led till the final furlong before she went out of gas and had to rest content with the third spot. The winner appears in good shape and it will pay to follow Lifeisamiracle again when saddled next. 

After three favourites dominted the first three events, the six to one shot Lord Frankel cut the favourite chain outclassing his 11 rivals in the lower division of the Kadambi Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. Back after a setback in training, not many fancied the Padmanabhan ward to make a winning comeback and that was one reason why the bookmakers offered six to one on the talented grey, while the other grey from Lokanath Gowda's yard was heavily fancied to provide an encore. A confident Shane Gray astride Lord Frankel was favourably placed at the top of the straight when Darshan guiding the fortunes of Sensational Grey streaked ahead, but the moment Shane Gray reminded the Padmanabhan ward of the task ahead, it was all over bar the shouting, Lord Frankel cruising home in effortless style. Sensational Grey finished second ahead of Queen Regnant, while Southern Power completed the frame. 

On the strength of her sublime effort in her last essay, Antibes from Arjun Manglorkar's yard  rightly garnered the maximum support and the in-form mare produced another stellar effort to the delight of the followers of form and the Jackpot pool hunters who banked her in the five-horse puzzle. Green Channel from Neil Devaney's yard, who was favourably placed at the scales after their last head-to head clash, nine kilos better terms had her share of supporters, who thought it fit to go with the contestant enjoying a favourable handicap. But Antibes made light of the big difference, romping home in style, while Green Channel finished third behind Grey Channel. 

The Irfan Ghatala schooled Salazaar continues to disappoint, again failing to display his true potential in the Stayers Trial Stakes. The on-money favourite piloted by John found the Warren Singh schooled Speedster too hot to handle, the six-year-old grey mare  recording her second straight win in emphatic fashion. Now that the Warren Singh ward has earned her passage to Chennai, she is certain to make her presence felt against the best in the Stayers Cup on the Indian Turf Invitation Cup eve, taking into account that Speedster is on the top of her game and has touched peak form. Automatic finished second ahead of the much fancied stablemate Salazaar, who is just not enjoying his campaign this winner.  

The even-money favourite Knight In Hooves proved too good for his seven rivals in the Raichur Plate run over a sprint. In line for a hat-trick the top performer, who comfortably beat Sovereign Orb over a seven furlongs trip in his last essay showed a clean pair of heels to his seven rivals including Brunhild, who was expected to run the `Knight' close, but failed to even get the better of Alberetta, who did well in the hands of apprentice Alex Rozario to gain the runner-up spot. The winner is in great heart and is fancied to record a four-timer when saddled next. 

Trainer Aravind Ganapathy is enjoying a sensational run this new year. After winning the Golconda Oaks  and following it up with the blue riband of the Hyderabad season, the prestigious Golconda Derby on Faith Of Success, the pro led in Smithsonian, who recorded a shock win in the concluding event before he dashed of to Mumbai where the connections of Faith Of Success have chosen to provide the star filly a chance to compete against the best  in the Indian Derby on Sunday. The topweighted Shining Rock from Prithviraj's yard was fancied most to provide an encore, but the `rock' it appeared had lost its shine after his last start success and as a result failed to even save money in place.