The bay four-year-old filly King's Ransom displayed her stamina when she scored a clinical victory in the Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1) on Sunday. Pesi Shroff had consistently opined that King's Ransom is best suited for longer trips and the filly showed why her mentor was so confident of her staying ability. PS Chouhan kept the half-money favourite in the mid bunch while his barn-mates Thunberg and Sierra Dela Plata set the pace over the mile and half journey for the Ladies' Derby. Dangerous raced behind his duo whilst Kimiko, Kiefer and Queen Envied graced the wrong end as the field travelled in a single file.

The order of running didn't alter till Kimiko made her move as the seven runners started their journey towards the last turn and so did YS Srinath atop Dangerous. Chouhan also swung into action by changing gears when the field straightened for the final run in. King's Ransom gathered momentum instantly and slipped through the inner rails to take over the running from her stable-mates. Shroff's protege went bouncing clear of Dangerous while Thunberg and Sierra Dela Plata luckily found minor places in the group one event. Queen Envied and Kiefer failed to make any impression as they ended way behind. Shroff's classic conquest remains unabated and he has had his way with the fairer sex as proven by King's Ransom (Multidimensional - China Creek), who won her third black type race in a row. King's Ransom is the prized possession of Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke, Mr Jay Shirke, Messrs Keki & Dara Mehta, Khushroo & Zahir Dhunjibhoy. The filly was bred at Usha Stud Farm.

The Indian Oaks did not have a thrilling climax but the prestigious Ramniwas Ramnarian Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3), reckoned as an eye-opener for the Indian Derby, was decided in a tantalising finish. Supernatural avenged his 2000 Guineas defeat at the hands of Ahead Of My Time that too in virtually the last stride. Fortunate Son dictated the terms in the six horse field with the three fancied runners Once You Go Black, Ahead Of My Time and Supernatural bidding their time in the rear. Fortunate Son relinquished the lead in favour of Mojito at the halfway mark as the latter surged ahead. Srinath soon made his move with two furlongs left for home and overtook the front-runners. Supernatural, who chose to do the catching up game on this occasion, also ranged alongside Ahead Of My Time in the last furlong. In the ensuing battle, both horses fought a stirring duel with Supernatural, rising to the occasion in response to Trevor Patel's relentless urgings, pipped Ahead Of My Time by a head at the wire. Mojito battled on to finish third ahead of Once You Go Black.

Mozelle (Roderic O'Connor- Equine Lover) from Altaf Hussain's, who was not treated harshly by the handicapper for her previous success, completed an encore in the hands of Neeraj Rawal. The bay filly took a smart jump from the gates and stayed put warding off the threat of Sky Fall and Arcana close home. Baby Bazooka found the scurry too sharp for her liking and warmed up when the race was well sewn up by Mozelle. Arcana, who threw up her head as Chouhan tried to restrain her in the initial stages, failed to quicken after coming into contention opposite the stands. He ended fourth behind Baby Bazooka.

Altaf had his second winner of the day when Snowfall (Territories - Markabah) proved far too superior for her twelve rivals in the Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy (Div-I). Sandesh kept Snowfall within striking distance of Dazzling Princess and Commandent, who brought the field into the view. Commandment flattered briefly before Snowfall got stronger in the last furlong and sailed away for her comeback victory. Commandment, Monarchy and Demetrius followed her home.

The colours of Cyrus Poonawalla were prominent at the winning post when the odds on favourite Portofino Bay carried them to victory in the Gool S Poonawalla Million (Gr.3). Dallas Todywalla schooled Portofino Bay (Roderic O'Connor - Star Of Venus) got straight down to business shortly after the start but faced stiff resistance from Irish Glory in the home stretch. Sandesh ridden Portofino Bay fought back after Irish Glory had the upper hand nearer home and his valiant effort paid off. Portofino Bay won by a head from the fast finishing  debutant Fighton who came from nowhere to finish runner up, a neck ahead of Irish Glory. Ultimo ended a far away fourth. 

Veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait saddled a brace of winners through Rasputin and Rue St. Honore. Srinath piloted Rasputin (Multidimensional - Anywaysmile) let Tyrone Black and Aira do the initial running and stormed into lead in the last furlong and half. Lesser fancied than only Empower, Rasputin kicked on to earn a bracket ahead of the hard-ridden favourite. Murwara Princess's late rally found her in the money after Arabian Phoenix failed to accelerate towards the closing stages of the race.

Rue St. Honore (Ampere - Silk Road), the recent migrant to Sait's yard, was ridden to a facile win by Neeraj when claiming the Uttam Singh Trophy. Like Rasputin, Rue St. Honore also took a smart jump and was happy to allow Alpine Star to show the way to the field over the mile and quarter journey. With a furlong and half left for the winning line, Rue St. Honore swooped down on Alpine Star and the race was all over bar the shouting. Alpine Star stubbornly held on to be second ahead of the fancied trio, Wild Thing, Vincent Van Gogh and Mad Love.

Debutant Singer Sargent however recorded the easiest victory of the day. The Faisal Abbas trainee came in for sustained betting and the Trevor ridden gelding gave no anxious moments to his supporters. Singer Sargent (Kingda Ka - Proserpine) followed favourite Daulat Mai into the straight and stepped up the pace to go clear of his rivals. Rhythm Of Nature did well to finish second and was followed home by Attained and Daulat Mai.

Earlier, at the start of the day's proceedings, Narendra Lagad groomed Mirae (Roderic O'Connor - Yesteryears) shed the maiden ranks in the lowest class. Ridden by the in form apprentice Mustakim Alam,  Mirae unleashed a powerful run in the straight after Slam Dunk had shot his bolt and won warding off Risteretto, Superimpose and Divine Soul. Favourite Champagne Smile ran without raising any hopes for her followers.

R Ajinkya steered Nelson River (Planetaire - Midnight Wind) came with raking strides in the last furlong of the concluding event to outwit Ataash in the shadow of the winning post. Trainer Rehanullah Khan's ward won by a neck. Untitled and Power Of Neath, who brought the field into the straight, were no match for the younger horses and ended third and fourth respectively.