After drawing a blank in thirteen outings following his success over a year ago, SSF Hassan groomed five-year old horse Stunning Force managed to find his way to the winner’s enclosure on Tuesday. Going out friendless in the betting ring, Stunning Force (Lord Admiral – Czarina) literally ran true to his name when tackling the frontline contenders in the field of eight vying for the Elite Zone Plate. As the gates flew open for the seven-furlong event, favourite Thanks led for about a furlong and half before Ekram Alam-ridden Mark My Day overtook him. After travelling a short distance thereafter, Mark My Day shifted in slightly at about 900m-marker and nearly brought down apprentice Kuldeep Singh astride Thanks, who fortunately recovered and gathered his mount immediately.

Mark My Day then led the field into the home stretch where Trump Star joined him and was ridden vigorously by S Saqlain to gain the upper hand with just over a furlong left for the wire. Stunning Force, who was biding his time at the tail end till turning for home, was pulled out by Mohit Singh and alerted to his task. Stunning Force gained momentum with every stride as did Shazam as they both drew closer to Trump Star and Mark My Day. Saqlain strangely gave the D Netto trainee Trump Star a long rein in the last furlong and failed to contain the challenge posed by Stunning Force who came flying towards the dying moments of the race to achieve a length verdict. Shazam ended a neck behind the runner up and an identical distance behind finished Mark My Day. Shazam came across a better one in Stunning Force and lives to fight for another day. N R I Sun, who finished a close fifth, was not given a punishing race. Thanks dropped back gradually following the mishap and ended last.

Saqlain and Netto started their campaign on a winning note with Gusty Note, who was on a weight reducing mission till his previous outing, and ended the day with a good treble. Gusty Note made amends for letting down a large following earlier with a comfortable victory. Saqlain kept Gusty Note (Gusto – Key Note) within striking range of Space Time and Red River till entering the straight and made his move with the favourite in the last two furlongs. Rookie Kuldeep ridden Space Time offered resistance for a while but succumbed when Gusty Note warmed up to his task. Red River came with a second run to finish runner up while Sea Of Class edged out his tired stable-mate Space Time to finish in the money. The other runners were never in the reckoning at any stage of the race.

The five-year old gelding All Time Legend (Top Class – Angeling) was not penalised harshly for his previous victory and was once again asked to carry the public’s purse on his back, which he successfully did and helped himself with another bracket. Hard To Toss showed the way to the field and relinquished the lead in favour of City Of Bliss, who led briefly till Garnet tackled her about a furlong away from the post. All Time Legend was in search of room when Saqlain decided to make his bid in the home stretch and found it in the last furlong. Driven out strongly by Saqlain, All Time Legend stretched out to overwhelm Garnet in the last 50 metres or so and just about managed to escape the clutches of Mohit Singh-ridden Above The Law. The runner up took some time to get into his stride and raised a fluent gallop in the final two furlongs but All Time Legend hit the wire before Above The Law could ruin his chances. Garnet held on grimly to the third place as Laurus was stuck towards the inner rails and it was too late by the time Akshay Kumar to extricate him from the mess. Five runners headed by Ice Berry finished close behind and seemed content in eluding the spotlight.

The 12 to 1 longshot Sally lacked initial speed but made steady progress from the mid-bunch to reach the haunches of Blast In Class, who cut short Golden Forza’s start-to-finish bid exactly a furlong away from the winning post. Suraj Narredu astride Blast In Class shot ahead but was stunned in the last couple of strides by the flourishing run unleashed by Sally, who responded superbly to Saqlain’s call. Fatuma came with a big run towards the end but could only beat Golden Forza for the third spot. Ajeeth Kumar-steered favourite D Yes Boss did not seem to be in a mood to oblige her supporters as she refused to put her best foot forward. The Anant Vatsalya schooled mare should recoup the losses whenever the right money is riding on her chances.

Netto and Saqlain shared the limelight with trainer RH Sequeira who led in three popular winners. Trained originally by Laxman Singh, who is serving a drug infringement related ban, the three victors were saddled by Sequeira. Sequeira's first success came through the dark bay colt Brilliant Star, who had a lung-opener in the hands of Abhay Singh on debut, was entrusted to Suraj on this occasion and backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals. Akshay-ridden Warwick assumed the front-running role from the start while Brilliant Star raced handily alongside Bolt Beauty. Suraj made his move as soon as the field turned for home and forced Warwick into submission within a few strides. Brilliant Star (Dali – Aceempressjessie) won untroubled thereafter with hard-ridden Windsor finishing on to pip Warwick for the runner up slot whilst Colt Pistol completed the frame.

Linewiler (West Virginia – Shades Of Beauty) with Kiran Naidu in the saddle came from the wide draw to chase Inside Story into the home straight. Linewiler got stronger as the race progressed and pounced upon Inside Story in the last furlong to grab the lead. Mukesh Kumar-steered favourite Pinatubo made a late dash when asked for an effort but Linewiler was beyond his reach. Blazing Jupiter started galloping late as usual and finished half-length behind Pinatubo with Inside Story retiring to be fourth.

Malaala, who was the medium of a heavy gamble, provided Kiran his second winner of the day and Sequeira his third when the mare scored an overdue victory. It was a one-way street as far as betting close to race time was concerned with a lot of money flowing Malaala’s way. Malaala (Kingda Ka – Ashtoh) not only upstaged ante post favourite in the betting ring but also on the racetrack. The chestnut mare triggered a stupendous run when Kiran put her into top gear and went surging past the front-runners including DS Deora-driven Beauty On Parade, who was caught flat-footed by the winner in the final furlong. Briar Ridge woke up late to finish runner up ahead of Beauty On Parade and City Of Blessing, who were dead-heated for third place. Like City Of Blessing, Star Racer came from way back to finish fifth ahead of Silk, Red Snaper and Top Diamond, who all finished in a huddle.

Clefairy (Kingda Ka – Sinetta) from KSV Prasad Raju’s yard finally entered the winner’s circle on her tenth appearance. Ridden by apprentice Santosh Raju, Clefairy came wide into the straight with a powerful run to overpower runaway leader Classical Music only a few metres from the winning line. Power Ranger, with lesser known rider Aneel astride, finished on the fastest after travelling on the extreme outside in the straight and ended a close third with owner and stable-mate London Bell a neck away. Something big is brewing with Coming Home, who was in contention till close home but threw in his towel far too easily before ending a game fifth, and his progress certainly bears watching.

S Sreekanth groomed Star Cruise (Green Coast – Exclusive Monarchy) earned some precious stake-money after being ridden to a narrow victory over favourite Ayur Tej. Ajeeth Kumar-driven Star Cruise, who tracked the leader Silver Lining, was driven purposefully to gain the upper hand in the last furlong and lasted out to win from favourite Ayur Tej who couldn’t rise to the occasion despite Akshay’s all-out effort. First Class showed some zest when finishing an easy third ahead of Ar Superior, who finished on late. Samrat lost all his chances at the start itself after he almost planted in the gates.