On a day form played true and the railbirds enjoyed the action, one debatable decision from the decision makers at the starting gate cost the punters dear. After the on-money favourite Lazarus from Pesi Shroff's yard had fallen on his back while he was playing up at the gates and in no mood to enter his designated box, he should have been withdrawn. The veterinary officers at the gates thought it fit to load the piping hot favourite after a quick cursory check. Lazarus piloted by leading pro Pradeep Chouhan failed to justify his top billing and finished a poor third. It is learnt that the public rage burst his blood vessels during the race. It is not the result or performance of Lazarus which was shocking. Many on-money favourites bite the dust, but in this case the short-priced favourite suffered a fall while he was being loaded and could have been withdrawn. The fact that the public rage was shouldering a huge public purse also failed to impress the vets. They simply went with their assertion that nothing was wrong with Lazarus and he was fit to race. They know their job and they may be right. But in these cases one should understand that quickly passing a physical test is just not enough. The trauma and shock can mentally disturb the animal and he may not perform to the best of his abilities. So the best option in these cases is to withdraw. This is sincerely followed in all international racing clubs. But that didn't happen and the punters lost out big. And to make matters worse and rub salt into the wounds of  the dejected punters, the friendless Pink Jasmine from the stables of Sulaiman Attaollahi won the principal added attraction, the S G Madhukar Memorial Trophy. The rankoutsider piloted by Shreyas Singh paid Rs 488 on a tenner at the ticket window. The shock result floored the punters. Stablemate Shabelle, who was fancied while Pink Jasmine had no takers, followed the 50 to one shocker home. 

Classic hopeful Jamari from the stables of champion trainer Pesi Shroff sent out a strong message that she will be a force to reckon with in the first classic, the Fillies Championship Stakes, winning the DT Racing & Breeders LLP Juvenile Million in convincing style. The on-money favourite in the hands of leading pro Trevor Patel took some time to get going, but the moment she got into her stride she whizzed past the gutsy Czar before standing stall at the victory podium. The topweighted Knotty Charmer from leading trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard, back after finishing second in the 2000 Guineas and the Nilgiris Derby at Udhagamandalam finished a creditable third after he was a trifle slow at the jump. Jamari on the strength of this performance is one of the frontliners for the first big classic test. 

In the concluding event, the upper division of the Elite Force Plate run over a sprint, the Sriram Komandur-trained Super Gladiator despite failing to make the board in his five lackadaisical efforts in the winter season was hammered down from (3/1) to even-money in the betting ring. But the huge gamble flopped even before the race came on a boil, the topweight partnered by Ashhad Asbar not able to make a race of it. Galacticus, another Ooty return made every post a winning one in the hands of Yash Narredu, while Limited Edition finished on purposefully to save money in place. After the final event, the stipes opened an enquiry and sought some explanations from Sriram before announcing that they will continue and complete the enquiry in the next two days. It is also learnt that the stipes are satisfied with the riding of Asbar, but what is disturbing from their point of view is how can a non performer attract such huge support. But in this game this is not anything new and not every horse which attracts big support wins. 

The lower division of the event was claimed by the on-money favourite Stellantis from Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard brilliantly piloted by Trevor. The winner, who chalked out his second straight success produced a winning gallop at the all-important end to snuff out the challenge of lesser fancied Excellent Ray, who looked set to score after streaking ahead at the distance post. 

Earlier, By The Book from Neil Darashah's yard made ample amends of her costly loss in her last essay, winning the opening event, the Aureole Time Plate. Zervan produced a copybook effort on the winner, who gallantly pegged back Sand Castles, who was seen finishing on fastest at end. Elite Agent finished third, while the second in demand at the betting ring, Dawn Rising from Faraz Arshad's yard who upset the applecart of By The Book in their last head-to-head clash surprisingly finished down the field. 

A picture of fitness at the parade ring, Big Red from the stables of top trainer Imtiaz Sait proved too good in the Endorsement Plate run over a mile. The winner confidently piloted by top gun Akshay Kumar assumed command at the top of the straight and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Hyderabad challenger Shadow Of The Moon finished a creditable second ahead of Irish Rockstar, while Julio who also had his share of followers failed to make a decent impression. The winner appears to be a goodtype and more will be heard of Big Red in the months ahead. 

The Arjun Manglorkar schooled Ricardo was fancied most in the Udhagamandalam Plate run over a sprint, but the public choice piloted by Irish pro Tadhg O Shea who has made a mark In Dubai, failed to raise a winning gallop and eventually finished in the ruck. The three to one shot Mazal Tov from Neil Devaney's yard without raising a sweat made every post a winning one in the hands of Trevor and on the strength of this quality performance is set to provide an encore. Knotty Challenger surprised many gaining the runner-up berth and it will pay to follow this Prasanna Kumar trainee, when saddled next.