Unlike his previous successful endeavour when he was asked to deal with a couple of younger rivals, on this occasion, G. Shashikanth-schooled Ashwa Morocco was taking on an experienced lot mainly Malaala and Candy Girl, who had three straight victories to their credit. That said, K. Satheesh-saddled Candy Girl was better fancied than both Malaala and Ashwa Morocco to claim the R Raghupathi Reddy Memorial Cup, Monday’s feature event and appeared to be on course to justify her favouritism after P. Sai Kumar got her to seize the initiative soon after the start. But Candy Girl ran out of steam inside the last two furlongs allowing both Malaala and Ashwa Morocco to gain the upper hand. Apprentice Ajay Kumar-piloted Malaala measured Candy Girl first but Ashwa Morocco also joined the issue swiftly. Ashwa Morocco veered out under pressure momentarily but apprentice Likith Appu got him back on track and then fought a keen duel with Malaala, who was ridden hands and heels by Ajay. Ashwa Morocco (Ampere – Bee Quick) got stronger at the finish to secure just about a length verdict over Malaala even as True Icon managed to finish in the money beating Soloist after Candy Girl faded out.
 
Earlier in the day, Shashikanth sent out N R I Skypower and N R I Doublepower, who were both entrusted to Imran Chisty and were fancied to win in their respective races. The duo failed to oblige. In the first instance, K. Satheesh-nursed Toffee, lesser fancied than only N R I Skypower, triumphed after managing to grab the lead following a brief tussle with the latter at the start. Chisty tried hard to catch Toffee in the straight but apprentice Ekram Alam frustrated the favourite’s attempt to draw level and eventually scored a length victory. Windsor ran prominently with the fancied duo but could not progress and struggled to retain the third spot from Antidote, who evidently saved her best for some other day.
 
N R I Doublepower, on the other hand, lost all his chances at the start itself after jumping out slowly from the gates. No-hoper Hard To Toss meanwhile headed the field over the seven-furlong trip with Reigning Beauty, The Akhanda and Clare in close attendance. Hindu Singh-steered Anab E Shahi raced in the mid-pack and made gradual progress to join The Akhanda, who was tracking the leader. Singh’s power-packed finish saw RH Sequeira’s ward Anab E Shahi (Leitir Mor – Tootsie Wootsie) swoop down on Hard To Toss and scamper home for an easy win. The Akhanda finished runner-up ahead of Hugh Capet and Hard To Toss.
 
Satheesh’s second winner of the day came through Flashing Memories, who finally found her mark in the handicap event for maidens. Appu-ridden Chica Bonita decided to go to the front and held the lead till approaching the final turn where she shifted out and made way for Caraxes to head the field. Imran Khan made a feverish attempt to get Caraxes to extend his lead but was forced into submission by favourite Flashing Memories (Sedgefield – Ballade Danon) when apprentice RS Jodha stirred the chestnut filly into action. Flashing Memories went on to register a convincing victory over Chica Bonita, who came with a re-run to take the second place. Caraxes retired to finish third, a short-head in front of Track Blazer who finished on leisurely. Bold Beauty, who dropped back to the last position mid-way through the race and also received a check before stumbling, recovered lost ground in the straight to finish a notable fifth.
 
Apprentice Ekram achieved a back-to-back double when Leo D’silva-nurtured Salisbury decided to put his best foot forward after some insipid performances. Star Cruise went ahead from the gates with Challenger and the on-money favourite Coming Home settled behind. Challenger and Coming Home tried to intimidate Star Cruise but both faltered. Salisbury (Multidimensional – Ice Beauty) meanwhile unleashed a hitherto unseen acceleration and went sailing clear for an authoritative win over Star Cruise, Challenger and D Yes Boss, who found his feet quite late. Magan Singh Parmar’s ward Coming Home, it seemed, couldn’t shoulder the burden of the public’s purse and was going nowhere when Vivek G. alerted him to her task. Coming Home gave a disappointing performance and receded under pressure to end an inexplicable sixth.
 
Vivek went on to make amends for his failure when delivering the goods astride Mireya. G. Sandeep-trained Mireya (Planetaire – Win and Enjoy) overhauled leader Golden Forza, who assumed his customary front-running role from the gates, in the last furlong and was soon beyond the reach of his opponents. Golden Forza held on to the second berth from the late moving Cabello and Master Touch.
 
Trainer SSF Hassan started his day on a winning note and ended it in the same manner as he claimed both divisions of the Tribute Plate. Mohit Singh ridden Deccan Ranger (Ampere – Veritas) raced within striking distance of Urgent and Sea of Class till the field straightened for home and then launched his assault. Deccan Ranger was driven out by Mohit to tackle Urgent but won easing up in the end. Crown Witness gathered momentum late yet finished runner-up ahead of Urgent and Great Combo, who followed him home. Crown Witness and Great Combo both showed some zest for racing and their progress bears close watching hereafter.
 
Ok Boss, who was on a weight-reducing mission until now, was so far superior to his rivals that Hassan took the courageous  decision to entrust his mount to lesser-known jockey NB Kuldeep. Ok Boss, who was backed down to the exclusion of his rivals, gave no anxious moments to the punters as he went straight down to business when the gates flew open. Kuldeep just had to ensure that he didn’t fall off from Ok Boss (Green Coast – Make Your Day) as his mount just cantered away for an effortless victory. Park Lane, Inderdhanush and Eminency followed him home.