On the penultimate day of the winter season, all eyes were on the two trainers Arjun Manglorkar and Sulaiman Attaollahi, locked in a big fight for the champion trainer crown. But at the end of the day, it was young Azhar Ali, who stole the limelight recording a fine double through the well fancied Whizzo ten to one shot Super Gladiator. However, Arjun Manglorkar led in Powerful Lady, while Sulaiman drew a blank, two heavily supported favourites from his yard, debutant Prague and Scruples failing to justify top billing. Going into the final day with a three point advantage Arjun appears to have sealed it though Sulaiman, it must be mentioned is still not out of it. 

In the plum event on Friday, the Sovereign Crown Trophy, Whizzo was strongly fancied by Azhar Ali's camp to upset the applecart of the favourite Scruples from Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard. The two leading contenders opened joint favourites at (5/2) before money came pouring in on Scruples, backed down to (5/4), while Whizzo at end was freely quoted at (3/1). The winner brilliantly piloted by top saddle artiste Akshay Kumar produced a winning gallop at the distance post to assume command and quickly put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Advantageously placed in at the scales, Capable finished a game second ahead of consistent Twinkle Feet, while Scruples failed to even make the frame.

Spurred by the success of Whizzo nominated to succeed in the feature, Azhar Ali struck again in the next event, the upper division of the Vrishabhavathi Plate run over a sprint. Last start winner Super Gladiator from his yard was ignored in the betting ring, punters trusting the `Jodi' Unyielding from Darius Byramji's yard and the Aravind Ganapathy schooled Queen Regnant to come good. Queen Regnant in fact was hammered down from (7/2) to (9/4) in the betting ring, big bettors impressed with her effort behind Douglas in Chennai on the Invitation Cup eve. But to the delight of the bookies the well supported `Jodi' went out of the window and Super Gladiator registered his second straight success in the hands of Ashhad Asbar. Azhar Ali, who proudly led in Super Gladiator enjoyed his winter campaign, seven winners to his credit and this promising youngster is certain to make his presence felt against the best if he gains the support of a couple of good owners, who buy quality stock. 

The popular line: When the going gets tough, it is the tough who get going fits Akshay Kumar. The top gun booted home Faraz Arshad schooled Southern Power and Whizzo to build a three point advantage like Arjun and is set to emerge the champion `Knight'. Akshay it was clear was ready for the big challenge and two knock out blows only confirmed that the darling of the Hyderabad racing buffs is a true blue champion. Faraz Arshad like Azhar has led in seven winners this season and is hoping to continue the good work in summer. 

Darshan who recorded a profitable double, first struck through the public choice Princess Jasmine in the opening event. The winner from Lokanath Gowda's yard  edged out She's A Class from Imtiaz's yard, who made a impressive belated debut. Estella also fancied sweetly by the Md.Khan camp finished third ahead of the topweighted High Opinion. 
Darshan later had it easy on the five to one shot Windstorm in the Barachukki Plate run over a distance of 2200 metres. The winner from Satish Narredu's yard made every post a winning one after he hit the front in the first furlong and powered home stylishly in the final furlong. Muirfield expectedly gained the runner-up berth ahead of the favourite Lantana, who performed below par. 

On the strength of his blazing performances in the morning trials, Prague from trainer Sulaiman's yard was fancied to make a winning debut. The bred in the purple youngster from the Poonawalla farm was backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals in the Vibrant Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. But the on-money favourite found the Padmanabhan schooled Philosophy too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. Philosophy, who had failed to justify favouritism in her last essay in the hands of Shane Grey looked a different proposition the moment Neeraj Rawal set her alight at the top of the straight, sailing past her seven rivals without really extending herself. The Padmanabhan ward looks a goodtype and her progress is certain to evoke interest in summer. 

 All credit to Arjun Manglorkar for sending out Powerful Lady spot on despite the four-month layoff. The `lady' in the hands of John produced a good gallop in the straight to overhaul the leader Chul Bul Rani and score in the lower division of the Vrishabhavathi Plate run over a sprint. The favourite Copper Sunrise from Prasanna Kumar's yard was seen finishing on fastest at end to snatch the runner-up berth from the `Rani' while Reczai flashed home late on the scene to complete the frame. 

Long shot Fernet Branca from Darius Byramji's yard made sure that punters went home with a big hole in the pocket, donkey-licking his 11 rivals including the top two market fancies Sunshine Prince and Embosom. The former from Arjun's yard was never in the hunt while Embosom in the hands of apprentice Arul finished second behind the impressive winner Fernet Branca. It was good to see Mark in the winners' circle after a long time. And hopefully a lot of others who failed to post a win this season will strike it rich in summer.