Despite coming into this event with a none-too-impressive record, Suleiman Attaollahi nurtured filly Shabelle tasted success in a group race when her late dash upstaged Artemis Ignacia in Y Shanker Rao Memorial Deccan Fillies Championship Stakes (Gr.3). The speedy local challenger Beauty Blaze stormed into the lead as the starter’s flag came down and set a fast pace for the mile journey. Ashwa Morocco raced abreast and had Speaking Of Love for company while three fancied challengers from Bangalore – Artemis Ignacia, Inyouwebelieve and Shabelle were at the tail end. As the field entered the straight, Beauty Blaze was still in command while Ashwa Morocco started to fall back gradually. It was at this juncture where Artemis Ignacia, Inyouwebelieve and Shabelle were off the bridle. PS Chouhan brought Artemis Ignacia through the middle while YS Srinath essayed his challenge towards the rails but couldn’t get a clear run. Trevor Patel meanwhile switched lanes with Shabelle but travelled too wide.

The climax saw the jockeys of five frontline contenders making free use of the whip when the race came to a boil. The first one to remove the whip was A Sandesh astride Beauty Blaze who seemed to be kicking on before Artemis Ignacia wore her down. Neil Darashah’s filly’s slender lead evaporated instantly as Shabelle (Sanus Per Aquam – Schiavone) came flying on the outside to seize a neck verdict in her last stride.

At the start of the day’s proceedings, Trevor steered favourite Barbet (Kingda Ka – Veronese) to a facile victory in the Nice Fella Plate, run over a mile. Laxman Singh saddled Barbet allowed Swiss Girl to do initial front running till the field straightened for home and then made her bid. With a furlong and half to go for home, Barbet wrest the lead and went clear of her rivals to record her maiden win. Carnival Lady finished on to take the second spot ahead of tiring Swiss Girl and My Way Or Highway. White Roses and Hero Of The East were both victims of the inconvenience caused by Roshan Ara as the field turned for home which explains why they finished off the board. Shortly afterwards, Path of Peace was also knocked out of contention by Power Ranger.

Akshay Kumar also logged in a double through two hot favourites Special And Thong (Hymn – Gochi) and N R I Superpower (Win Legend – One Life To Love). Special And Thong from Anant Vatsalya’s stables raced in the mid field as Red River hit the front. The bay filly gathered momentum in the straight and forced Red River into submission with little over a furlong left for the winning line. The favourite graduated from the maiden ranks with a comfortable win over Battle Ready, Red River and Charmer.

N R I Superpower was settled behind no hoper Ashwa Migsun and second favourite Yesterday, who assumed command shortly after taking the final turn. Akshay also made his move astride the favourite and N R I Superpower got stronger at the finish after a brief tussle with her main adversary. Advance Guard finished a far off third and had Grand Duke in close tow.

Prime Gardenia (Arazan – Queens Collection) improved on his previous effort to provide his new master PS Jubbal the first winner of his career. Jockey G Naresh astride the favourite made gradual progress as Silk showed the way to her eight rivals and retraced her steps. The bay gelding tackled the front runners resolutely and went away for a comfortable win. Plethora finished on to be second ahead of Top Diamond and Euphoria. Wandering Warrior never seemed to be in the hunt as he finished fifth.

D Netto schooled Spectacular Cruise (Total Gallery – Artempo) was guided to a fluent win in the last race of the day. Second in demand only to Amalfitana, Suraj Narredu piloted Spectacular Cruise overhauled leader Challenger in the last furlong and cruised away for her maiden win. Amalfitana failed to show the desired improvement over her last performance and never raised any hopes for her followers. Challenger finished runner up on sufferance as Amalfitana plodded behind yet managed to finish in the money ahead of Ashwa Pushkin.