Despite carrying a back-breaking 63kg on her back, the five-year-old mare Lagos extended her winning streak by lifting the R Raghupati Reddy Memorial Cup, which was her fourth successive win. With Deepak Singh replacing Suraj Narredu in the saddle, punters were sceptical about the D Netto groomed mare’s chances. But nothing was going to stop the juggernaut of Lagos, who was ridden confidently by Deepak. Lesser fancied than Corfe Castle and Watch My Stride, Lagos was settled nicely after a good break from the gates even as New Look embarked on a start to finish mission over the six-furlong trip. Deepak brought the mare into contention soon after the heads turned for home. Lagos (Gusto – Blumarine), though hard-ridden, sped past New Look and scampered home for a comfortable win over late-finishing Corfe Castle, who pegged back Watch My Stride for the second berth. K Mukesh Kumar ridden Corfe Castle was badly placed after a slow start and the L D’Silva trainee was given too much to do in the straight. The age factor also came into play and it could be said that Corfe Castle came across a better one in spite of his valiant run. Akshay Kumar ridden Watch My Stride ended a game third ahead of Super Angel who finished abreast of N R I Sport, Scramjet and Premier Action.

Trainer Jasbir Singh saddled a winning brace through Wandring Warrior and Indian Temple. Although it dawned late on his master, the use of blinkers and a tongue strap did wonders to the performance of Wandring Warrior (David Livingstone – Roof Fiddle). Backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the lower division of the Bakranangal Plate reserved for maidens, Wandring Warrior raced keen behind Bijlee, Indradhanush and Visionary till coming into the home straight where Mukesh gave the half-money favourite his head. Wandring Warrior went sailing into the lead and stretched to win convincingly from Clefairy, who warmed up late to her task, and Visionary, who was running after a long break.

Indian Temple (Saamidd – Jasoora), who was never in the hunt during her previous essay, wore her galloping shoes on this occasion and hit the bull’s-eye to provide Jasbir with his second winner of the day. B Nikhil rode Indian Temple off the pace as Golden Forza tried runaway tactics with last-outing winner Glimmer Of Hope and Sporting Smile in pursuit. Glimmer Of Hope snatched the lead from Golden Forza, who ran green under pressure and rookie Kuldeep Singh simply had no control over his mount, in the last furlong, Meanwhile Nikhil alerted Indian Temple of her task ahead following which the mare came with raking strides to go clear of Glimmer Of Hope and pull off a silent coup. Mukesh Kumar ridden top-weighted favourite Castlerock was lethargic at the start and never raised any hopes of giving a winning performance. Castlerock finished on late to end third ahead of long-time leader Golden Forza.

My Way Or Highway, also saddled by Jasbir, attracted a lot of betting but gave a flop show right at the start of the day. The race was won by Master Touch who had done nothing worth of note in all his five career starts but sprouted wings immediately on relegation to the lowest class. The longshot It’s My Life took charge of the running at the start and was chased by Jack Daniel and Ar Superior till entering the final run in. Md Ismail steered Master Touch moved steadily ahead and swooped down on It’s My Life in the last furlong. SSF Hassan trained Master Touch (Knight’s Tour – Believer) was easily the best moving horse of the lot and stormed ahead for an easy win. Ar Superior latched on to the runner up berth ahead of hot favourite My Way Or Highway and It’s My Life. My Way Or Highway ran uninterested most of the journey and woke up only when the race was over bar the shouting.

MS Parmar trained It’s On was another horse which sprouted wings on demotion. DS Deora piloted It’s On (Stardan – Chitrita) raced within striking distance of the front-runners Space Time, Lifetime and Astronaut till the horses moved around the final bend. It’s On soon assumed command and was home and dry before any threat could emerge. In fact there was no threat for the heavily fancied It’s On, who recorded one of the two facile victories witnessed during the day, as runner up Astronaut was going nowhere when asked for an effort while Akshay ridden second favourite Good Tidings found her rhythm quite late as usual and could only finish third.

The four-year-old filly Angelita (Surfrider – Alhuda) from MF Ali Khan’s stables finally entered the winner’s enclosure after eight fruitless expeditions in Class III this year. No-hoper Exclusive Luck displayed the hitherto unseen early speed to hit the front whilst Afroz Khan had Angelita racing a handy third behind Spectacular Cruise. With two furlongs to go for home, Afroz switched gears on Angelita and the prime favourite responded well to tackle her rivals and sail away for an emphatic win. Exclusive Luck stayed on to be second ahead of late finishing Southern Act and Reining Queen.

Akshay Kumar’s solitary winner during the day came astride N R I Ultrapower, who claimed the first division of the Bakranangal Plate. The RH Sequeira saddled N R I Ultrapower (Saamidd – Captain’s Lover) allowed favourite Bien Pensant to call the early shots and lay fourth behind Arrowtown and debutant Varenna, Akshay made his move only when the heads turned for home and easily measured favourite Bien Pensant who flopped like a pricked balloon in the final furlong. N RI Ultrapower went on to achieve her maiden success very easily. Power Ranger ran on from the rear to finish second ahead of Arrowtown and Varenna. The last named should be better off with this educative run.