He is the Ooty Apple. The darling of Ooty racing buffs, C Umesh stole the limelight again booting home four winners including his victory astride the public choice Rubirosa in the upper division of the Admiration Handicap. The champion pro who excels, parading his skills on the tricky track at the Blue Mountains is again set to wear the champion jockey crown, while B Suresh is on top of the leader board in the trainers category.

Umesh first struck in the opening event, the Sea Bird Handicap run over a sprint. The most sought after pro guiding the fortunes of the Uthaiah-trained Wood Art packed punch in the final furlong to snuff out the challenge of Magical Wave who looked set to record a shock win before the public choice produced a winning gallop on time to the delight of her supporters. Pacific did well to take the third spot ahead of Dazzling Princess.
 
Next astride the second in demand at the betting ring, Lady Royal in the lower division of the Magnolia Handicap, Umesh pushed the Sebastian ward to the front soon after the 10 runners came under the starter's flag in the 1300 metres event and never let the initiative slip, the `Lady' showing a clean pair of heels, while sprinting home in emphatic fashion. Beauty Of The Turf from lady trainer Rupa's yard surprised most gaining the runner-up berth ahead of the favourite Supreme Runner from the stables of Deepesh Narredu, while Torbert completed the frame.

In line for a treble, Umesh piloting the in-form Rubirosa from James McKeown's yard had it easy, the public choice streaking ahead at the top of the straight before quickly putting the race to bed in the final furlong. Now that Rubirosa has registered his second straight success without unduly extending himself, he is certain to complete a hat-trick of wins if his connections again choose to race him in the final week of the season. Glorious Grace finished a creditable second ahead of Rays Of Sun, while the last start winner Berrettini disappointed most.

After his third success, Umesh was back partnering the Rupa schooled Wonderful Era in the concluding event, the Harbinger Handicap run over a distance of 1500 metres. Wonderful Era who had finished thrice second in her last three starts, all in the hands of Umesh finally went one better to the delight of Rupa to post a very long over due victory after her last success in Chennai 458 days ago. Glorious Sunshine followed Wonderful Era home, while the well-backed favourite Suparakiga, who had easily beaten Wonderful Era in their last head-to-head clash looked out of sorts and only managed to finish a tame third.

The Derby winning jockey Sai Kumar not to be left behind on a day Umesh made the big splash recorded a nourishing double through two lesser fancied winners Bohemian Star and Dark Son. The former, who had finished a good second behind Royal Icon in her last effort over a distance of seven furlongs relished the six furlongs trip while comfortably beating the favourite Queen Anula in the Parson Valley Handicap. The Rebel finished third while Windsor Walk performed below par.

The B Suresh-trained Kings Walk who went down to Sweet Fragrance in his last essay over a mile again found the going tough. Competing in the lower division of the Admiration Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs, the public choice failed in his mission to match strides with the winner Dark Son and the runner-up Karadeniz and had to rest content with the consolation place status. A consistent Karadeniz again met a tartar in Dark Son, but very soon this Fahad Khan trainee will earn her winning bracket.

Little Wonder from the stables of Krishna and Amber Lightning who was knocking at the door for quiet some time were the two other winners. The former piloted by apprentice jockey M S Deora came up tops in the Snoot Handicap edging out Fast Play, while Amber Lightning in the hands of leading apprentice Sah Farid Ansari had it easy powering home nice and easy in the upper division of the Magnolia Handicap.