In one of several logic-defying instances where the current form of neither the fancied nor the neglected runners count, Ravinder Singh-saddled Stag's Leap floored the punters in the Pronto Pronto Plate, Tuesday's feature event. Stag's Leap, after defeating favourite Alabama in August last had run down the field in the hands of Akshay Kumar a month and half later. Neglected in the betting and entrusted in the hands of BR Kumar on this occasion and saddled by Ravinder for the first time, Stag's Leap (Gusto – Corfu) showed remarkable improvement to shock the field including Juramento and Bangor On Dee. Stag's Leap slipped into the lead shortly after the start and remained out of the reach of Bangor On Dee and the rest till passing the winning post. A. Imran Khan went all out astride Bangor On Dee in the straight but Stag's Leap held on resolutely. Juramento gathered steam only when the heads turned for home and came with a devouring but could only deny Bangor On Dee the runner-up berth. Kings Best had a lot of money flowing his way in the betting ring, which went down the drain as he raised no hopes of delivering the goods whilst finishing a poor sixth. Stoic Hero, who won two races over the same distance and in the same class during the monsoon season, toiled in the rear throughout.
 
Three-year old Miss Maya from RH Sequeira's string recorded a facile victory despite carrying the top weight. With A. Imran Khan replacing Akshay Kumar in the saddle, Miss Maya (Roderic O'Connor – Classic Sky) showed no signs of rustiness as she sprinted ahead from the barriers with Lights On and D Minchu trying to pace with the favourite and even headed her but only for a fleeting moment. As soon as the field straightened for home, Miss Maya assumed command and the race was all over bar the shouting as the winner was eased up a long way from home. Pontefract finished on to be second and had D Minchu and American Flame figuring on the judge's board behind. 
 
Srinivas Reddy-mentored filly Diamond Rain, who was blazing the tracks in the trials, was installed as the favourite in anticipation of a winning debut. The Ashhad Asbar-ridden Diamond Rain was clearly in need of a run and her lack of experience clearly evident when she tracked the leaders but being outpaced throughout. On the other hand, Donald Netto-trained Shadow Fax, whose chances were surprisingly neglected in the betting, gave a speedy display as he led all the way to graduate from the maiden ranks. Young Likith Appu steered Shadow Fax (Lord Admiral – Rahuls Pet) confidently to achieve his first success at Malakpet. Netto's ward veered out slightly in the final stages yet was good enough to stay clear of Mix The Magic, who warmed up late to finish second with Warwick ending a close third, half-length ahead of Diamond Rain.
 
Netto sent out another juvenile winner Ragnarok, who proved that his maiden success was not a flash in the pan. Appu's temperament was on display on this occasion as he outmanoeuvred the experienced Imran Khan who was aboard favourite Dyanoosh. Ragnarok (Tenth Star – Sweet Caroline) hugged the inner rails as he seized the initiative at the start and then shrugged off Challenger, who ran abreast till the bend. Dyanoosh came with a strong run to snatch the lead from Ragnarok but Appu exhibited his never-say-die attitude by putting his head down and drove Ragnarok relentlessly. Both Dyanoosh and Ragnarok fought every inch of the last furlong and half with the latter eventually snuffing out his rival's winning bid. A head separated the two at the wire. Minecraft, equally fancied along with Dyanoosh, disappointed once again and refused to put his best foot forward in the straight though he managed to finish third ahead of Only The Brave.
 
Strauss, another failed favourite when ridden by Akshay in his previous effort when being knocked out of contention by Lucky Zone, was right on the money on this occasion. MS Parmar-groomed Strauss (Multidimensional – Enchufla) got down straight to business when the five and half furlong scurry was flagged off and simply outclassed his opponents B. Nikhil drove Strauss plain hands and heels and had something reserve when finishing well clear of runner-up Top In Class and Fara, who warmed up late to her task. Rising Queen failed to match strides with the winner in the early stages of the race and ran fourth.
 
The three-year old maiden Santa Barbara had given notice of an early success when going down narrowly to Tripurari over six furlongs and she ran true to the promise shown in that effort . Apprentice Ekram Alam eased speedy Santa Barbara into the lead once the gates flew open and warded off the spirited bid of Thunder Knight and That's My Love to earn her maiden victory. Thunder Knight threw a strong challenge at Santa Barbara in the last furlong but Ekram handled his mount confidently and steered the Leo D'silva-nurtured filly to safety. That's My Love warmed up late before finishing on the haunches of runner-up Thunder Knight and had Bien Pensant behind. The effort of favourite Assured Success was not so assuring for the punters as the S. Sreekant-trained and Kuldeep Singh (Sr) ridden chestnut was shorn of the initial speed he had shown in his previous appearances. The outpaced gelding ran sixth, far behind the winner.
 
Raza Shehzad-nursed Shah of Iran scored a stunning upset on his return to competitive racing after more than a year. The bay gelding, ridden by Md. Ismail in place of Afroz Khan, was swift to take charge of the running and showed the way to his rivals over the mile trip with Aerial Combat and DAS waiting to pounce on him. But that was not to be as Shah of Iran (How's Your Halo – Dancing Farha) extended his lead in the straight and strode away majestically for an emphatic win. Sundance Kid came wide into the straight and could only finish second ahead of Aerial Combat. The on-money favourite DAS showed no signs of obliging his followers and ended a poor fourth.
 
Ismail achieved a double when he partnered Life is Good to a narrow victory over his main rival Honourable Lady in the concluding event of the day. Robin Reddy-saddled Life is Good (Saamidd – Illaunslea) came with a strong run from the rear to overhaul leader Sucker Punch and was driven out vigorously by Ismail to ward off the threat posed by Honourable Lady, who got into her stride a wee bit late and was beaten by a neck at the wire. D World was also involved in the finish but found the going tough and ended third ahead of Sucker Punch. Starwalt planted in the gates and took no practical part in the race.