Jockey Suraj Narredu had a disastrous start to his campaign on Sunday but bounced back to steer a back-to-back double including Monteverdi, who claimed the President of India Gold Cup against the run of expectations. On paper, the outcome of the prestigious group event seemed confined to La Reina, Fire Power and Arc De Triomphe. However, the tenacity shown by the Vijay Singh nurtured colt led to the downfall of both Arc De Triomphe and Fire Power.

Kalamitsi set the pace over the mile and half journey with his four rivals headed by Monteverdi strung out behind. Kalamitsi gave up at the final turn and was smoothly overtaken by Monteverdi while Trevor Patel alerted Arc De Triomphe to his task and ranged alongside the new leader. Fire Power was close behind attempting to get into his stride. For a fleeting moment it appeared that Arc De Triomphe would devour Monteverdi but he lugged in badly and was unable to tackle his rival in the ensuing duel. With about a furlong left for the destination, Monteverdi, motivated by Suraj’s resolve, surged ahead and that final burst put paid to the hopes of Fire Power and Arc De Triomphe. Hard-ridden Fire Power wrest the second spot from the tiring Arc De Triomphe while La Reina, who graced the wrong end of the field after a sluggish start, finished a faraway fourth. Vijay, incidentally, had won this event 35 years ago with Brave Dancer.

In a similar riding display half an hour earlier, Suraj helped the Laxman Singh-groomed colt Brilliant Star achieve a hat-trick in the upper division of the Pakhal Lake Cup. Backed to the exclusion of his eight rivals, Brilliant Star (Dali – Aceempressjessie) stalked leaders Wind Sprite and Rising Queen but it was no cakewalk for him as expected by the punters. Suraj had to go all out atop the on-money favourite, who was conceding weight all round to his rivals and had to deal with the heavy going. After joining the front-running duo at the 300m-marker, Brilliant Star gained ground gradually to wear down Rising Queen, who had the measure of Wind Sprite, in the last half furlong, and went on to spare her a length at the wire. Wind Sprite stayed in the money ahead of Crimson Rose. The outcome of the second division of the Pakhal Lake Cup was not exactly the one expected by the race-goers. Commanding Knight, who had a hat-trick to his name, and N R I Fantasy attracted much of the betting in this event. However, it was A. Vatsalya’s Stoic Hero, who upset their applecart. Ajeeth Kumar played the waiting game astride Stoic Hero as Classy Dame and High Reward made the initial running with Commanding Knight and N R I Fantasy close behind. High Reward assumed command and flattered briefly before being tackled by Commanding Knight. Stoic Hero (Declaration of War – Flotus) was meanwhile set alight by Ajeeth even as Akshay-piloted N R I Fantasy was searching for a clear run. Stoic Hero responded by unleashing a powerful run to tame top-weighted Commanding Knight close home with N R I Fantasy finishing on to be third ahead of High Reward.

Jasbir Singh-saddled Nucleus defied the heavy impost on his back for the second time in succession to register an encore in the hands of Mohit Singh. Nucleus (Bated Breath – Blush’s Gift) lay in wait in the fourth spot behind Star Cruise, Bash on Regardless and Alexina till the first division of the Chandrayaan-3 Cup, run over a six-furlong sprint came to a boil. Mohit switched lanes to bring Nucleus on the outside and then drove him out to go sailing clear of Bash on Regardless. Fara came with a late run to grab the second berth ahead of Bash on Regardless, who had the fancied runner Pal Cha ending fourth after an indifferent performance in the early stages of the race.

The three-year old Gretsy, who made a winning debut three weeks ago, also repeated her performance in the second division of the Chandrayaan-3 Cup. Tuscany and the longshot Challenger made the initial running as A. Imran Khan had MR Chauhan saddled Gretsy (Gusto – Time Square) hugging the rails in close attendance. Gretsy launched her assault shortly after the field straightened for home and it didn’t take her long to overpower Tuscany, The winner was sighted long way from home when Imran gave Gretsy a couple of cracks to seize the advantage. Gretsy was eased up when passing the winning post well clear of Tuscany. Sangreal came with a labouring run to finish third ahead of Mr Perfect.

Australia from Laxman Singh’s yards was the piping hot favourite to win the day’s curtain raiser in the hands of Suraj. But the three-year old dark bay gelding probably found the weight of the lead in his saddle as also the public’s money too heavy a burden to carry. Sweet Talk hit the front over the mile and quarter journey with Australia and Voice of a Dream in pursuit. Voice of a Dream (Ampere – Et Viola) joined the issue with the leader when the heads turned for home and was driven out by Ajeeth to gain the upper hand. Suraj also alerted Australia but was no match for the LVR Deshmukh saddled winner. Life is Good also finished ahead of the disgraced favourite who ended third ahead of Sweet Talk.

Bottom-weighted Dream Jewel raced close on the haunches of leader It’s My Life till the last two furlongs of the seven-furlong race and was pressed into action by P. Sai Kumar. Favourite Muaser came with a strong run towards the final stages but found weight a stopper as MR Chauhan-trained Dream Jewel (Sedgefield – Night Dancer) went on to win by half a length. It’s My Life stayed on to finish third ahead of Track Blazer. Due to poor visibility, the eighth race was postponed and added to Monday’s card.