The three-year old bay filly Livermore made most of the opportunity provided by a weak set of opponents barring West Brook when lifting the Golconda 1000 Guineas (Gr.2), the first classic of the winter racing season that was delayed for the second successive year. Livermore took off smartly from the barriers but was soon overtaken by her main adversary West Brook, who then dictated the terms over the mile journey. S. Saqlain meanwhile settled Livermore along the rails behind West Brook while Starkova raced abreast. Saqlain brought Livermore into contention when approaching the final turn and joined the issue with Akshay Kumar-ridden West Brook. In the ensuing battle for supremacy, West Brook fought valiantly with Livermore in the home stretch but came across one better yet again and was forced to play the role of bridesmaid for the fourth time in succession. Livermore (Speaking of Which – Sherman Oaks) spared three-parts of a length to West Brook, who was far ahead of La Belle and N R I Doublepower. Livermore is owned by Mr M. Ramakrishna Reddy and was bred at the Usha Stud Farms.

D’Silva started his winter campaign with a bang by saddling four winners including Glorious Power, who made mincemeat of her five rivals in the opening event, the Windscale Plate reserved for two-year old juveniles. Lesser fancied than both Bellingham and White Pearl, Afroz Khan-ridden Glorious Power (Shifting Power – Glorious Hymn), who is bred as half-sister to Huntingdon, shot into the lead as the gates flew open and showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals. Runner-up Bellingham was in a futile chase throughout and ended almost a distance behind the winner. An identical distance away ran Cannon Rose, who ended third ahead of White Pearl.

Three-year old Shadow of the Moon defied the stiff penalty incurred for his previous victory to register his third success in a row. D’silva decided to entrust his ward to K. Mukesh Kumar to minimize the effect of the 60kgs Shadow of the Moon was asked to carry over the nine-furlong event. Bottom-weighted Indian Sniper showed the way to the field with Encore and Mandela going in pursuit. Shadow of the Moon soon moved up to be in close touch with the leaders and made his move when entering the straight to challenge apprentice Ajay Kumar-steered Indian Sniper who was unwilling to surrender. But Mukesh drove Shadow of the Moon (Sir Cecil – Avarua) with vigour and derived a terrific response from his mount. The grey colt snuffed out the challenge of Indian Sniper in the last furlong and drew away for a convincing win. Mandela ended third while favourite Terenga let down his supporters with a poor show as he just about managed to complete the judges’ frame.

Malibu, the only unfancied winner to strike in the eight-race card, was the third winner saddled by D’silva where her stablemate Adbhut shared the favouritism with Commanding Knight. Last-outing winner Alexina gave a speedy display to grab the lead and seemed to be making it when Malibu was set alight by apprentice Ekram Alam. The bay filly moved resolutely in the last furlong to halt Alexina’s winning bid and score by a neck. Happy Go Lucky, who tracked Alexina into the home stretch, ended third ahead of Barbet, who found the trip too sharp for her liking. Suraj Narredu astride favourite Commanding Knight tried to come through the shortest way but was unable to gallop freely towards the rails. He ended a tame fifth ahead of Adbhut who raced prominently behind the front-running duo but retired opposite the stands.

Proud Mary from Laxman Singh’s string justified her favouritism with a fluent win over Kenna, who had a sizeable lead when entering the home straight. Trevor Patel, who had settled Proud Mary behind Kenna and Divine Connection, alerted the chestnut filly to her task and found her unleashing a powerful run. The sparingly-raced Proud Mary (Lord Admiral – Mind of Madness) devoured good ground in the last furlong and half to collar Kenna close home and register her third career success. Colt Pistol and Divine Connection followed them home. She Can and Fortunatus were both outpaced and finished off the board.

KSV Prasad Raju-trained Capriati, who had migrated from Bangalore after the summer season, also obliged her followers. P. Sai Kumar-partnered Capriati (Sanus Per Aquam – Caprese) raced handily behind Swiss Girl and Caraxes till the heads turned for home and easily measured Swiss Girl to hit the front. Capriati faced a threat from unlikely quarters towards the fag end of the seven-furlong journey when stablemate Bold Beauty came flying out of nowhere. But Santosh Raj-ridden Bold Beauty was in no mood to spoil her barn-mate’s party and went down by a neck at the wire. D Right Time ran on late to grab the third birth from Caraxes.

After playing second fiddle on two horses earlier in the day, apprentice Ajay was finally rewarded with a victory aboard Ashwa Morocco from G. Shashikanth’s yard. Ajay rode a peach of a race and confidently steered Ashwa Morocco (Ampere – Bee Quick) to a fantastic victory over Huntingdon and Brilliant Star. Best Buddy went surging ahead from the barriers and was followed closely by Exotic Dancer, Brilliant Star and Ashwa Morocco. Best Buddy led till the last furlong where Ashwa Morocco collared him and sailed into the lead. Brilliant Star failed to quicken after challenging Best Buddy and later made way for Huntingdon, who was pocketed towards the inner rails till close home. Ashwa Morocco was home and dry by the time Saqlain could switch lanes and had to settle for the second place. Brilliant Star finished third ahead of Best Buddy and High Command, who didn’t seem to relish the use of blinkers on this occasion.

After three unsuccessful start-to-finish bids, Neelesh Rawal-saddled Brooklyn Beauty sported blinkers for the first time and decided to play the waiting game. The strategy helped Brooklyn Beauty (Whatsthescript – Sudestada) earn her maiden victory. Mohit Singh had Brooklyn Beauty on the leash and allowed favourite Precious to make the initial running. With about two furlongs left for home, Mohit gave the four-year old filly her head to assume command. Brooklyn Beauty stretched out well to win comfortably from Australia, Das and Rochelle, who finished in that order behind the winner. Precious lost pace to finish down the field.