Two top saddle artists, Suraj Narredu astride Ashwa Magadheera and Akshay Kumar guiding the fortunes of local mainhope O Hansini, to the delight of the railbirds produced exemplary efforts and in a humdinger, it was Ashwa Magadheera who edged out O Hansini in the final stride at the shadow of the winning post. The top saddle artistry on parade was an object lesson to the young hopefuls learning the ropes in their effort to make a mark in the game.

The Neil Devanay schooled Last Wish garnered the maximum support on the strength of his three victories including his win against Supernatural, winner of the Bangalore summer Derby, but the favourite after making all the running in the seven furlongs trip retired at the top of the straight. At this juncture Akshay Kumar to the cheers of the local crowd sent O Hansini to the front and kicked clear before Suraj and Magadheera in a never-say-die bid went in chase of the leader before gaining the big verdict on the final stride. Winner of the Colts classic at Udhagamqandalam, Still I Rise finished third ahead of Last Wish.

The promising apprentice jockey Darshan Antony produced a neat effort on the topweighted Tremendous in the Ranga Family Trophy, the principal added attraction run over a distance of seven furlongs. At a time when the two-kilo claimer Angad astride Gintoki badly switched in and cut across Notoriety, Darshan racing behind Notoriety quickly pulled the topweight out and in a determined hands and heels effort gained the day to the satisfaction of his supporters. Gintoki finished second ahead of Notoriety, but it was clear that the Monnappa ward would lose the runner-up berth if Sai Kiran lodged an objection. Sai Kiran did protest and the stewards rightly upheld the protest.

After all the seven favourites bit the dust on the opening day, four more failed to justify their top billing in the first four races before the strongly fancied Vijaya Falcon from Joseph's yard confidently piloted by Sai Kiran proved too good, donkey-licking his 10 rivals in the upper division of the Full Speed Plate much to the relief of the shattered punters. The lesser fancied Smart Cadillac piloted by Darshan Antony finished second ahead of Flying Falcon, while Country's Delight completed the frame. Vijaya Falcon is in fine nick and is set to provide an encore.

Sai Kiran, who partnered Vijaya Falcon, earlier was rightly questioned by the stipes and stewards following his lackadaisical effort on the well backed favourite Bhrigu in the opening event, the Talakadu Plate. Sai Kiran after the race complained that he was not ready when the starter flagged-off the 15 contestants and the railbirds too not happy with the performance of the favourite wanted the stewards to look into the running and riding of the race. The stewards did that and after ascertaining that all was well, it is learnt cautioned Sai Kiran for making false a complaint.The 15 to one shot Air Velocity from the stables of Md.Sajid in the hands of Nazer-ul-Alam shocked the followers of form coming up trumps pegging back the belated effort of Rakesh-trained Newsmaker, while Highland Park managed to save money in place. 

The Appachu schooled Ewandor was a medium of a king-sized gamble, backed down to even-money after opening at (3/1) in the lower division of the Full Speed Plate, but much to the disappointment of his supporters the overwhelming favourite was withdrawn at the starting gates. The eight to one shot Royal Crown from Tejaswi's yard piloted in copybook fashion by Kuldeep came up tops easily snuffing out the late challenge of Oriental Lily, while Supreme Angel in his effort to make every post a winning one hung on to finish third ahead of the topweighted Bonito.

After Vijaya Falcon became the first favourite to score after 11 favourites bit the dust in the first two days, D Fire from Monnappa's yard helped punters recoup a portion of their losses romping home in the final event, the Regency Gold Plate run over a sprint. The favourite confidently piloted by the promising apprentice Shreyas Singh assumed command at the distance and then quickly put the race to bed in the final furlong. My One And Only finished second ahead of Spiritual Force, while the second in demand at the betting ring, California Gold lost a couple of lengths at the start and eventually finished in the ruck.