Trainer Srinivas Reddy’s protégé Siddharth gave another sparkling performance when registering his fourth straight victory to keep his unbeaten tag this season intact. Lesser fancied than Livermore and Ashwa Morocco, Siddharth (Excellent Art – Lavender Brown) unleashed a brilliant run down the straight when Akshay Kumar essayed his challenge from the outer lane. The bay gelding’s acceleration disrupted High Command’s winning bid close home. The early stages of the mile trip for the Smt. Teegala Sulochana Reddy Memorial Cup was dominated by the sprinters – Miss Little Angel, Maximum Glamour and Shazam whilst Livermore, High Command and Siddharth played the waiting game. Shazam took charge inside the last furlong and a half before being overtaken by Livermore, who led for a couple of strides before Trevor overhauled her and assumed command. But Siddharth had gathered momentum at that juncture and strode out well to engage High Command in a fierce duel in which the former emerged victorious. Livermore ran a tame third and was followed home by Ashwa Morocco and N R I Doublepower. Siddharth is owned by Mr Aditya P. Thackersey.

Akshay, who had given a flop show a day earlier and caused financial distress to his supporters, gave a redeeming performance when guiding a popular treble. Earlier in the day, he achieved a back-to-back double through Queen Empress and Original Sin. RH Sequeira-trained Queen Empress raced within striking distance of Flashing Memories and N R I Fairy till entering the home stretch and darted ahead with about a furlong left for home. Queen Empress (Akeed Champion – Empress of Rome) survived a major scare as Trevor-steered Trishul, who warmed up late to his task, came menacingly close to toppling her. Queen Empress escaped the clutches of Trishul by a whisker while Flashing Memories stayed put in the third spot ahead of N R I Fairy.

The three-year old filly Original Sin, who had failed to succeed after her winning debut under the care of RH Sequeira earlier this year, struck immediately after shifting to LVR Deshmukh’s yard. Akshay settled Original Sin (Multidimensional – Secret Garden) in the mid-group as Ashwa Gajraj tried runaway tactics over the mile and quarter trip and led all the way till being tackled by Das at the top of the home stretch. Top-weighted Stunning Art, who had a lot of money coming his way in the betting ring, was waiting to pounce on the leaders before turning for home but he failed to quicken and threw in his towel even before the race came to a boil. Original Sin, meanwhile, came with a powerful run to join the issue with Kuldeep Singh (Sr)-steered Das, who refused to buckle under the pressure. But Akshay packed enough power in his finishing efforts to help Original Sin prevail over Das in the final half furlong. Ashwa Gajraj finished third ahead of Sundance Kid, who lost all his chances by veering out alarmingly in the straight.

Deshmukh had led in his first winner in the day’s opening event when Forever Bond made ample amends for her failure in the hands of PS Chouhan on Derby day. The fortunes of Forever Bond were guided on this occasion by Trevor and the mare duly obliged. Forever Bond progressed from the rear position over the mile trip as Canterbury led the field with Dream Jewel in hot pursuit. Akshay thrust Dream Jewel into the lead as the heads straightened for home and tried to outwit Forever Bond. But Trevor went all out on Forever Bond (Sedgefield – Friendly) to frustrate Dream Jewel close home. Muaser finished third ahead of I Am Superman.

Trevor did not have the same luck as he was forced to play second fiddle thrice thereafter. He was upstaged astride Divine Destiny by stable-mate Ivanoe, who was ridden confidently by apprentice Kuldeep Singh. With the on-money favourite Detective out of the fray, the responsibility of carrying the public’s purse fell on Divine Destiny, one of three runners saddled by Deshmukh in the six-horse field that faced the starter. Ivanoe (Top Class – Isle of Avalon) called the shots from the word go with New Look and Path of Peace chasing him. Trevor brought Diving Destiny into contention in the straight and changed lanes in his final bid to overthrow Ivanoe, who fought resolutely and lasted out to win by a neck. Trevor tried to overturn the verdict in the stewards’ room but his objection against the winner was overruled.

Trainer K. Satheesh was successful in saddling a winning brace through Encore and Divine Connection. Encore, though less fancied than Sacred Bond and Young Diana, emerged from the maiden ranks with a delightful win. Apprentice RS Jodha hit the front with Encore (Sedgefield – Solange) and did well to maintain control over his mount who was inclined to run out. Jodha rode him plain hands and heels all the way and won warding off the late challenge posed by Code Blue, who was running after a long lay-off. Sacred Bond ended a close third after being whipped excessively by Akshay in an attempt to catch the winner. Young Diana ran hopelessly throughout and finished a poor fourth.

Divine Connection (Mull of Kintyre – Brunetta) was ridden confidently by apprentice Ekram Alam as he steered the filly to a comfortable win over Silver Lining, Saint Emilion and Star Cruise, The last named went on a start to finish mission with Divine Connection hot on his heels. In the final lap, Silver Lining took the shortest route to lead briefly in the last furlong whilst Star Cruise was trying to repel Divine Connection’s assault. But Satheesh’s ward got stronger at the finish and kicked away for an easy victory. Silver Lining held on to retain the second place as Saint Emilion came with a late run to finish third ahead of Star Cruise.