K Satheesh trained grey gelding Akido not only ran true to form but also lived up to the expectations of the market players when he scored his fifth victory, a narrow one over Royal Grace. The odds against ante post favourite Lifes Song expanded as Akido caught the market fancy whilst, interestingly, RH Sequeira saddled Lifes Song's stable-mate Super Angel also came in for enthusiastic support. However, it was Akido who put in a spirited performance to claim the Man Of The Match Plate. Mark My Day set the perfect pace for his barn-mate Akido till over a furlong away from home following which Royal Grace and Akido took over. In a ding-dong battle thereafter, both Afroz Khan ridden Royal Grace, who chased the leader throughout, and Gaurav Singh piloted Akido (Outstrip – Gift Wrap) went hammer and tong until the latter gained the upper hand about 50mts from the winning post. Lifes Song graced the wrong end of the field and came into the picture at the fag end of the race. All her hard work in the straight came to a nought as she could do no better than end a close third if only to console her supporters. Lifes Song's former barn-mate Kesariya Balam ran a neck behind. Super Angel made no impression as she could beat one home, the pace-maker Mark My Day.

Only a week after apprentice Sonu Kumar had ridden two mounts to victory, another rookie Kuldeep Singh recorded a winning brace – Francis Bacon and Thanks, both trained by LVR Deshmukh, Kuldeep achieved his maiden career success aboard top-weighted Francis Bacon while Thanks provided the young lad with his second winner.

Francis Bacon, who ran mostly in Class III following his success more than a year ago, opted to take a shot in the lower class where he had the handicap on his side with the 5kg-claimer riding him. Kuldeep exploited that edge by snatching the lead from Team Player after a couple of furlongs over the mile and quarter journey for the Hussain Sagar Cup and Francis Bacon (Born To Sea – Look Over) then went on to donkey-lick his opponents. Team Player and favourite Hero Of The East chased the winner in vain with second-in-demand Exclusive Spark finishing on late to finish third a neck behind Team Player and had Hero Of The East an identical distance away.

Deshmukh pitched Thanks, who had a lung-opener earlier in Class IV after a break of over a year, in the upper class and entrusted the filly to Kuldeep in the Wanaparthy Cup run over seven furlongs. Thanks (Ampere – Tableau Vivant) went charging into the lead as the gates flew open and the filly came into the home stretch with a three-length lead over Crimson Rose and General Atlantic. That lead proved to be a cushion for Thanks as she romped home and kept heavily-backed General Atlantic at bay. Crimson Rose ended a faraway third in a huddle alongside Fly Tothe Stars, Miss Little Angel and Angelita. Favourite Pleroma ran listlessly and beat one home, Only My Way.

Deshmukh's first winner came through the juvenile Lucky Zone (One Lucky Dane – Lady Sergeant) earlier in the day. 

Alexina, who had smart money coming her way in the betting ring, went straight down to business as the gates opened with the other two fancied runners Lucky Zone and Miss Maya in hot pursuit. Miss Maya, who was inconvenienced by Thunder Knight at the start, was brushed up to join Alexina while Ajeeth Kumar waited for his opportunity behind. The three front runners were almost in a line with a furlong to go for the wire and it was Lucky Zone who snatched a narrow lead. Akshay Kumar ridden Miss Maya came into the reckoning strongly after falling back slightly but Lucky Zone's flared nostrils denied her glory. Alexina was not disgraced when finishing third, three-parts of a length behind Miss Maya. There was nothing to write home about the rest of the field.

After finishing runner up in four of her seven career outings at this centre. D Netto schooled Avancia, who made her debut in Chennai, finally found that elusive success in the upper division of the Aristocrat Plate. Despite being entrusted in the hands of lesser-known Deepak Singh, Avancia (One Lucky Dane – Capriani) showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals after being whipped to grab the lead at the start. Akshay astride the first favourite Varenna chose to make his bid when the heads turned for home but failed to catch Avancia and had to play second fiddle. Big Boy, who had his own set of admirers, chased the winner all the way but ended third ahead of Lifes Living.

Rookie Sonu Kumar almost had his third straight winner astride longshot Costello but came across one better in the hard-ridden Carlisle in the Trade Fair Plate. Costello took charge in the home stretch after racing abreast of leader Classy Dame and looked like kicking on before Carlisle was set alight by Afroz Khan. Carlisle (Oiseau De Feu – Chanterelle) gained ground with every stride and overhauled Costello close home. All Time Legend ran on to be third ahead of Akshay ridden favourite Unsung Hero, who ran a dismal race and seemed least interested in putting his best foot forward. Stag's Leap saved his best for some other day and ended fifth after running prominently till the final lap.

Stoic Hero from Anant Vatsalya's yard ended the day on a cheerful note for punters. Backed down to favouritism ahead of Milton Keynes and London Bell, Stoic Hero (Declaration Of War – Flotus) allowed Milton Keynes and Inderdhanush to show the way and bring the field into the home stretch. Ajeeth made his bid at this juncture and almost threw away the race when switching lanes and trying to come through the inner rails. Finding the gap closed, Ajeeth once again brought Stoic Hero outside and battled with Milton Keynes till 100mts from home where Vatsalya's ward asserted his superiority and stretched away to graduate from the maiden ranks. Inderdhanush ended far behind the runner up with Apex Star finishing on to complete the frame ahead of Saint Emilion.

On the professional front, Deshmukh was credited with a winning treble in absentia as he was away in Chennai for the 1000 Guineas. Ajeeth Kumar and Kuldeep Singh ending up with a double each. Sequeira and Akshay had a disappointing day in the field and the dubious distinction of drawing a blank. Sequeira had four well fancied runners while Akshay badly let down his fans who backed him unwaveringly on all his seven mounts.