The Ghulam Ahmed Memorial Cup for horses in the highest class witnessed a nail-biting finish with K Satheesh trained Kingston emerging victorious in the last few metres of the six-furlong event. Amyra showed the way to the twelve-horse field and was in command till the last two furlongs where City Of Blessing led briefly but was soon overtaken by the heavily fancied Ashwa Morocco who immediately had General Atlantic and Kingston breathing heavily down his neck. The tenacity displayed by apprentice RS Jodha astride Kingston (Corporate Jungle – Frizbee) received an equally brilliant response from his mount who wore down both General Atlantic and Ashwa Morocco. Watch My Stride warmed up late to his task and ended a close fourth. Akshay Kumar-steered joint favourite Soloist was in the reckoning till the distance post but failed to quicken and, in what turned out to be the worst performance of her career, the RH Sequeira nursed mare ended in the heap behind.

Leo D’Silva claimed his second lucrative juvenile event of the week when Huntingdon proved far too superior for his rivals in the mile-long Royal Arion Club Million. S Saqlain-ridden Huntingdon (Oiseau De Feu – Glorious Hymn) was ridden off the pace in the early stages of the race and made steady progress on entering the final run in to get behind Suraj Narredu-partnered N R I Doublepower, who was engaged in a duel with leader Encore. With Encore refusing to give up and N R I Superpower still battling for supremacy, Saqlain got into the skin of Huntingdon whose final flourish put paid to the hopes of the leaders. Truth was hard-ridden to pip Encore for the third spot. The two fancied contenders, Anab E Shahi and Detective, failed to live up to the expectations and ended off the board.

Unlike his previous effort, the piping-hot favourite True Marshall gave no heartburn to his supporters on this occasion and duly obliged when making amends for his inexplicable failure a fortnight ago. Srinivas Reddy-groomed True Marshall (Roderic O’Connor – Lombardia) raced close on the heels of Wind Sprite till entering the straight and was eased into the lead in the last furlong and half. Akshay kept the favourite going under the whip to comfortably claim the lower division of the Mir Fazilath Hussain Memorial Cup beating Top In Class, Morior Invictus and Southern Act, who failed to make any impression while following the winner home.

La Mirage on the other hand played truant to the disappointment of his followers in the first division of the Mir Fazilath Hussain Memorial Cup. Saddled by D Netto and entrusted in the hands of Suraj Narredu, La Mirage cut a sorry figure when humiliated by rookie Sonu Kumar-ridden Miss Little Angel. G Shashikanth-trained Miss Little Angel (Top Class – Miss Avalon) swooped down on leader Silk opposite the grand stands and was driven out to go beyond reach of the well and truly beaten La Mirage, who found the public purse too heavy a burden to carry. Starwalt made a late dash to end in the money ahead of hard-ridden N R I Sport. Akshay-piloted Strauss faded out after being prominent till the last furlong.

The 5kg-claimer Shivansh also had a winner through Sequeira’s ward N R I Ultrapower. The young lad kept N R I Ultrapower (Saamidd – Captains Lover) in close attendance of favourite Pal Cha and leader Varenna for the first three furlongs of the mile event and assumed command thereafter leaving the rivals to chase his shadow. Das ended second ahead of Clefairy and Role Model. Pal Cha also seemed to have crumbled under the weight of the public’s money as he plodded in the home stretch to eventually end fifth.

Shashikanth saddled his second winner of the day through N R I Fantasy, who gave some respite to the punters. Jockey Hindu Singh showed no haste astride the bay filly as he made his way through the backstretch and launched his assault once the field had straightened for home. N R I Fantasy (Top Class – Ice Fantasy) unleashed a powerful run when set alight and went sailing past the leader Happy Go Lucky to register a convincing victory. Hot Seat took the second berth while Top Diamond ran on gingerly to finish third ahead of Happy Go Lucky. The rest of the field was out for an airing.

Trainer MR Chauhan saddled Special Effort ran true to his name on this occasion and in return got to taste his maiden success. The bay gelding improved gradually after being ridden off the pace till the final turn and measured Good Day with a strong run in the last furlong. Jockey Kiran Naidu kept Special Effort going as he drew away for a facile win. Good Day, Canterbury and Janasu finished in a procession behind the winner.

Tripurari (Stardan – Lake Huron) completed an encore after the MS Parmar trainee was hard-ridden by DS Deora to keep the fast finishing Blast In Class at bay. Tripurari fought for his head in the early stages but settled soon to head the field and went on to win, warding off the threat posed by Blast In Class. The Hambone finished third while Gaugain ran fourth.

My Way Or Highway from trainer Jasbir Singh’s string also ran true to the market’s expectations and left the maiden ranks with a comfortable victory in the lowest class. Mohit Singh-piloted My Way Or Highway (Saamidd – Miss Gally) entered the straight way behind the leader Challenger but started to devour ground when asked for an effort by his rider. Runner up Challenger fought hard but was forced into submission by the winner close home. It’s My Life and Honourable Lady completed the judge’s board.