At times, when the presence of top calibre jockeys influences the decisions of followers of form and handicap, it certainly obscures the true ability of horses whose merit demands better consideration. The odds in the betting ring against the five-year old mare Lamha (Whatsthescript – La Surama), who was entrusted to 1.5kg claimer Abhay Singh, indicated that she had slim chances of vanquishing the three better fancied runners, Fire Power, City of Blessing and Icicle.

Fire Power had Akshay Kumar in saddle, K. Mukesh Kumar was aboard City of Blessing while Suraj Narredu was piloting Icicle. Fire Power and Icicle went as joint favourites respectively at 2 to 1 and 6 to 4  against and cornered the majority of support in the betting ring. City of Blessing was third in demand and Lamha available above 10 to 1. Abhay Singh settled Lamha in striking distance of leader Beauty Flame and raced alongside City of Blessing with Icicle, Fire Power and not too far behind were the rest racing in a huddle. The field spread out as they entered the home stretch with Lamha taking charge under the whip. The RH Sequeira schooled mare stretched out and kept going to quell the threat posed by her main challengers, whose efforts were undone by the winner’s handicap advantage. City of Blessing and Fire Power ended a head and neck respectively behind the winner with Icicle finishing a further half-length away. Bold Bidding, the winner’s owner and stable mate, ended the straight last but started galloping when it least mattered. She finished an eye-catching fifth, just over two lengths behind Lamha.

Akshay Kumar continued to dazzle in the saddle and booted home a treble through Princess Daka (Kingda Ka – Shenliyka), Lifes Song (Lord Admiral - Hi Life) and Star Walt (Chinese Whisper – Dutch Auction). Akshay’s power skill was apparent of the winners but his efforts were indeed aided by the amazing turn of foot displayed by his mounts.

Princess Daka from trainer Sequeira’s yard was at least a distance behind the front runners as Baisa brought the field into the home stretch. But the filly galloped resolutely when Akshay asked her for an effort. She wore down top-weighted Grand Duke who led briefly and succumbing to the Princess Daka’s onslaught. A length separated the first two while Advance Guard ran on late to deny Ice Berry the third slot. Essential ran a pathetic fifth after racing prominently till the distance post.

Lifes Song registered what probably was the most impressive victory of the day. The dark bay filly appeared to be in a hopeless position as she entered almost last and also came wide into the straight. Blissful and City of Bliss, who headed the field from the word go, were meanwhile busy sorting out the issue with the latter gaining the upper hand. But Lifes Song simply flew when Akshay showed her daylight and came with gigantic strides to wrest the winner’s crown. Favourite By The Way never raised any hopes for her followers and plodded to end fourth alongside Strategist, Star Babe, Amyra and Kingston, who showed little or no interest during the race.

LVR Deshmukh’s ward Star Walt shed the maiden ranks in a similar fashion in the concluding race. The bay gelding was ridden way off the pace but devoured good ground in the straight and put paid to the hopes of Astronaut who was shaping like a winner after taking charge from Inside Story before the final turn. Exponent accompanied Star Walt when flashing late on to the scene and pegged by Astronaut to take the runner up berth. Heaithandhappiness ended a fair fourth while joint favourite Ashwa Pushkin faded out from the fray to finish a disappointing fifth.

Deshmukh had also led in another maiden winner at the start of the day when Superstellar (Be Safe – Superestrella) cashed on his fitness and took toll of a mediocre set of debutants. The winner came with a spirited run in the last furlong to race past stablemate Bien Pensant. The Thriller finished third ahead of Code Blue, who played truant and jumped out late from the gates. Favourite The Thunder was backed enthusiastically but didn’t show the talent expected from him and finished in the rut.

Suraj Narredu obliged atop favourites Hard to Toss (Green Coast – Methodical) and Gregor Clegane (David Livingstone – Shivalik Bird). Donald Netto trained Hard to Toss easily accounted for leader OK Boss as the field turned for home and drew away to win from hard-ridden Malaala and Plethora.

Gregor Clegane struck immediately on demotion when coming with a sustained run to dash the hopes of well fancied Costello, who looked good after assuming command from Lifetime and My Master in the straight. Doe A Deer, an expensive failure on debut, showed a lot of promise when finishing third with a late but attractive rallying run.