The Deepesh Narredu schooled Leopard Rock recorded a hat-trick in resplendent style while serving notice that this speedy son of Kingda will make his presence felt in the Sprinters' Cup on the eve of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on the first Sunday of March. In line for a hat-trick, the top sprinter in the Guindy campus again provided Yash Narredu an arm-chair ride to success, winning by a widening margin of eight lengths.The fact that Leopard Rock has bettered his effort each time he has come under the starter's flag augurs well for the star performer, who outclassed his five rivals without raising a sweat. Mzilikazi finished second behind the Deepesh ward in the South India Sprinters Trial Stakes, while Wakeful edged out Gods Plan for the third spot. 

On a day Leopard Rock stole the limelight, punters, who lost out big on Thursday, recouped their losses, four firm favourites and one lesser fancied  second choice Andromeda Sky providing the railbirds a reason to smile.  The M M Uthaiah-trained Bay Of Naples set the ball rolling for the favourites winning the opening event, the Prince Of Troy Handicap in the hands of apprentice jockey M S Deora. The public choice fancied most by the insiders and the right connections tracked the two front runners Bright Light and Azeria  for most part of the 1000 metres dash before streaking head at the top of the straight and then powering home in emphatic fashion. The winner on the strength of this performance is set to provide an encore. Bright Light too has the speed and it will pay to follow her when next saddled. 

The Sebastian-trained Moonlight Sonata garnered the maximum support in the Ocean Wish Handicap  run over a distance of seven furlongs, but the strongly supported favourite met a tartar in Proposed who unleashed an astounding gallop in the hands of Sai Kumar to romp home in style. Royal Treasure finished a creditable third behind Moonlight Sonata, while Come Calling made the frame without unduly extending himself. 

Pacific ,who had performed below par in her last essay, finishing a good dozen lengths behind Super Girl, produced her best when it mattered most. The Saddam Iqbal camp despite Pacific's poor effort fancied the filly strongly and soon she was on top of the betting board in the bookmakers ring, Ashhad Asbar astride the winner produced a copybook effort, tracking the early leaders Glorious Sunshine and Lord Of The Turf for most part of the sprint trip before assuming command at the distance post and then gallantly pegging back the late challenge of Protea. The winner needed to win the race again in the Stewards room following an objection lodged by M S Deora, rider of the third placed Sunday Warrior. It was a valid protest taking into account that Pacific did interfere with the progress of Sunday Warrior. But the Stewards chose to provide the favourite, the benefit of doubt to the delight of the supporters of the Iqbal camp and Sunday Warrior had to rest content with the third spot. Pacific incidentally is owned by Masooda Asad and former jockey M J Asad, parents of Ashhad Asbar. 

The followers of form impressed with Wind Symbol's sublime effort in his last outing fancied the Sebastian ward strongly in the Alaska Handicap run over a sprint. The big bettors went bang-bang in the ring and despite the fact that apprentice jockey Alam was listed to partner the public choice in line for a hat-trick, money poured in on the topweight. Alam displayed good temperament and poise on the public rage, gaining a favourable position early on before driving home the favourite in confident fashion. Alexander finished a game second ahead of Bohemian Grandeur. 

Andromeda Sky from Robert Foley's yard came up trumps in the final event, the Firecracker Handicap  run over a sprint. The winner piloted by Nakhat Singh produced his best to snuff out the challenge of Constant Variable, while Proud from Anil Kumar's yard surprised most finishing third. The favourite Cartel  partnered by leading pro Umesh was never in the hunt and finished down the field much to the chagrin of the favourite punters.