With the terms of the Chief Minister’s Cup lending him a decisive edge on handicap, G. Shashikanth-tuned Ashwa Morocco cashed in on the opportunity to score a resplendent victory. Apprentice Ajay Kumar, substituting Sonu Kumar for the second time during the day, rode Ashwa Morocco (Ampere – Bee Quick) confidently to ensure a safe passage in the home stretch. The four-year old filly raced unconcerned in the rear as Silverita called the early shots with Soloist stalking him and the rest of the field racing in a bunch behind. Soloist went ahead at the 400m-marker after Silverita had shot her bolts and led till about a furlong for home when second favourite Mysterious Angel made steady progress to join the longshot. Rookie Ajay got active astride Ashwa Morocco by moving her out from the rails when Silverita entered the home stretch. Shown daylight by her saddle-partner, Ashwa Morocco uncoiled a dazzling run and it was clear from the way she moved at that stage that both Soloist and Mysterious Angel would be easy meat for the favourite. Mysterious Angel had just headed Soloist when Ashwa Morocco breezed past them and the last 100m belonged to the bay filly. Mysterious Angel was not disgraced in this defeat as she was conceding over 10kgs to her adversary which was asking too much from her. It was the same story with Akido, who had resigned to his fate and was not unduly stretched when finishing fourth, a long way behind Soloist. The rest of the runners were either out-handicapped or the mile journey was beyond their compass.

Half an hour earlier, Shashikanth led in Nightmare in the first division of the Director General of Police Cup, who succeeded in keeping both Icicle and Thanks at bay after taking charge from Despang less than a furlong from the destination. Surya Prakash atop Despang tried runaway tactics but ran out of fuel in the final furlong and half where he surrendered the lead to Nightmare (Saamidd – For Sure), ridden by whipless Ajay Kumar, who got a chance ride after apprentice Sonu Kumar suffered a fall at the start of the day’s proceedings. The bay mare, who raced within striking distance of Despang, took charge of the running but found favourite Icicle breathing down her neck in the final stages of the race. Sai Kumar astride Icicle, however, failed to tackle the grey mare and eventually ended half-length shy of the winner, Apprentice Kuldeep Singh-partnered Thanks, in his attempt to sneak through the inner rails, was forced to change course at a crucial stage of the race before ending a good third. Despang retired to be fourth ahead of Sun Dancer, who had the services of Akshay but never raised any hopes for his admirers.

Just Incredible from S. Sreekant’s yard found himself in the front as the field of eight took off over the mile trip for the lower division of the Director General of Police Cup. The bay gelding relished running freely ahead and refused to give up in the straight when challenged strongly by Ajeeth Kumar ridden joint favourite Wallop and Gallop. Both of them veered out under pressure and were almost racing near the outer fence close home. Well-fancied Miss Marvellous travelled five-six horses wide into the straight after Akshay Kumar decided to make his bid and was inconvenienced by Wallop and Gallop’s drift. Akshay immediately decided to switch Miss Marvellous towards the inside with about half furlong away from the wire. However, it turned out to be a wasted effort. Meanwhile, despite shifting out, Just Incredible (Sedgefield – Blitz Kiss), responded gallantly to P. Sai Kumar’s call and held on grimly to triumph over Wallop and Gallop by half a length. Miss Marvellous ended two lengths away and had Ice Berry close behind.

Sreekant started the day on a winning note with Star Cruise and signed off by leading in Star Racer in the concluding event. Both winners were ridden by A. Imran Khan. Star Cruise (Green Coast – Exclusive Monarchy) was quickly off the barriers and won start to finish warding off the threat posed by Deccan Ranger in the straight. Canterbury ran third ahead of Creative Art.

Star Racer (Corporate Jungle – Vena Amoris) celebrated his relegation with a narrow win over his opponents over the six-furlong sprint. The market odds suggested that it was a two-horse race between three-year old Sangreal and seven-year old Star Racer but it was the former, who was backed down to on-money favouritism. Sangreal, however, failed to oblige her followers and was humbled by Star Racer. Even First Class finished ahead of the favourite, who ran a poor third and had Silver Lining behind.

An expensive failure in his previous outing, MR Chauhan-saddled Decoy made ample amends for that failure and shed his maiden status in the hands of Suraj Narredu. Decoy went in pursuit of Assured Success who headed the field from the gates but failed to sustain the advantage in the straight. With two furlongs left for home, Suraj released his grip on the reins to ease Decoy (Smuggler’s Cove – Szable) into the lead and easily accounted for Encore, who garnered better support than the winner because Akshay was guiding his fortunes on this occasion. But Encore could do no better than play second fiddle to the winner. Alcahol Free ran on to divest Assured Success of the third spot.

It’s On, another failed favourite in her previous outing, landed the spoils on this occasion with an emphatic victory in the hands of B. Nikhil. Ok Boss once again zoomed ahead after the gates opened only to lose steam in the last furlong. MS Parmar-groomed It’s On (Stardan – Chitrita) covered rapid ground in the straight to go surging past the front-runners and record a convincing win. Colt Pistol came wide into the straight behind It’s On and drifted out further with Akshay failing to get his mount to race on an even keel. Colt Pistol ended runner-up whilst Sweet Talk finishing a good third after losing ground at the start. Divine Connection ran gingerly to complete the judge’s frame.