Commanding Knight, who reeled of three straight wins under the care of trainer KSV Prasad Raju before shifting to young Neelesh Rawal's yard for some unknown reason earlier this year, had ended a tame fifth in the hands of Suraj Narredu a week ago after his ability to accelerate was curbed as he raced in a none-too-comfortable position towards the inner rails. Entrusted back into the hands of jockey P. Sai Kumar, who seems to have built a strong bonding with him, the three-year old gelding Commanding Knight ran true to his potential and pulled off another victory. The Inheritor, with Ashhad Asbar in saddle, hit the front and was followed by Adbhut, La Mirage and Nucleus. The Inheritor led all the way over the six furlong trip and seemed to be kicking on when Sai Kumar put Commanding Knight, who was consciously kept away from the rails, into top gear. The favourite gathered speed instantly to chase down The Inheritor, who was being hailed as a winner till the last couple of strides. Commanding Knight (Declaration of War – Reflections) went on to annex the Raja Narasimha Rao Memorial Cup, his fourth success in the hands of Sai Kumar. Adbhut, who finished third, was inconvenienced slightly as the winner hung in while closing in on The Inheritor. Nucleus ran fourth.

Magan Singh Parmar's ward Black Onyx was served best by the terms of the Brave Dancer Plate, a six furlong event for horses three-year old and above. Not surprisingly were the market forces extremely bullish about his winning prospects and they backed him to the exclusion of his seven rivals, which led to Black Onyx ending up as the on-money favourite. B. Nikhil-ridden Black Onyx lacked early speed and raced in the rear as High Reward took charge of the running ahead of Baisa, who had Unsung Hero and Amyra racing behind. Coming into the home straight, it was Abhay Singh-piloted Baisa who sped past High Reward and looked like he would upset the applecart of the favourite. Black Onyx (Stardan – Dancing Dame), however, literally flew in the last half furlong after taking the shortest route home and went cruising past Baisa towards the fag end of the sprint. Unsung Hero finished third ahead of Thanks.

Parmar had earlier led in Delhi Heights who toppled favourite Morior Invictus virtually on the winning line to claim the lower division of the Osman Sagar Cup. Nikhil eased off Delhi Heights and settled him behind Thunderstruck and Morior Invictus, who went in pursuit of leader Mark My Day. Top-weighted favourite Morior Invictus ranged alongside Mark My Day after Thunderstruck began to fall back in the last furlong and half and was hard-ridden by A. Imran Khan to collar the leader even as Nikhil stirred Delhi Heights into action. Morior Invictus gained the upper hand but faced a stiff challenge from Delhi Heights and Sun Dancer. Delhi Heights (Stardan – Alohamora) surged ahead despite lugging in to secure a short-head verdict over Morior Invictus. Sun Dancer lost his stride after being steadied by Afroz Khan when the winner leaned on to him before taking on the favourite. Sun Dancer ended a game third ahead of Mark My Day.

The five-year old mare Despang finally found her winning touch as she entered the winning enclosure exactly after a year’s gap. LVR Deshmukh-nursed Despang spurted into the lead from the innermost draw and was never headed by any of her seven opponents in the first division of the Osman Sagar Cup. Stunning Force and City of Blessing, who were fancied ahead of Despang (Multidimensional – Amore Mio), were in hopeless chase throughout as the Surya Prakash-piloted mare was a winner at every post of the seven-furlong trip. Stunning Force ended second and was followed home by City of Blessing and Doe A Deer.

Sacred Bond from Leo D’silva’s yard successfully carried the public purse to victory in the absence of ante post favourite Trishul, who was withdrawn on veterinary grounds leaving a field of six to compete for the Crack Regiment Plate. No-hoper Toffee set the early pace over the nine-furlong event for maiden horses and had Great Giver and Flashing Memories in close attendance. Favourite Sacred Bond lay a handy fourth till the half-way mark before making gradual progress to join the leaders. With a little over two furlongs left for the wire, Afroz Khan gave Sacred Bond (Speaking of Which – Sacred Fire) his head and the bay colt sailed past Toffee to canter home for an easy win. Flashing Memories rallied to finish runner-up while Toffee ended third and had second favourite Code Blue, who failed to make any impression, in tow.

The field of eight two-year old juveniles contesting for the Flying Treasure Plate was reduced to six after Anemoi and N R I Northpower were declared non-starters. Prasad Raju-groomed Dictator, one of five debutants in the race and who received enthusiastic support in the betting, showed plenty of speed to take charge of the running shortly after the gates opened and left his rivals chasing his shadow. P. Sai Kumar-ridden Dictator (Phoenix Tower – Koh Samui) brought the field into the straight and drew away for a comfortable win. Ante post favourite Amboseli was outpaced throughout but managed to finish ahead of Code Blue in a close finish for the second slot. Cannon Rose ended fourth.

Trainer Ravinder Singh-schooled It’s My Life came out of the maiden ranks at the age of six and earned his cornbill with a start to finish dash in the day’s last race. Apprentice Ajay Kumar took It’s My Life (Green Coast – Opulence) to the front with the fancied runner Chica Bonita gnawing at his heels. It’s My Life stretched out well in the straight to keep Chica Bonita at bay. Track Blazer moved attractively towards the end to finish a notable third, a neck ahead of My Way or Highway who had Canterbury and Good Tidings finishing on his tail.