There was a slight drift in the odds against Ruby Red as her main rival N R I Doublepower came in for solid support in the betting for the Adala Raghava Reddy Memorial Million. However, that had no bearing on the Laxman Singh mentored bay filly’s talent as she ran true to her potential. Carlisle made the initial running with Burgundy Black, Brooklyn Beauty and Ruby Red racing close behind. As the field approached the 600m-marker, apprentice Ajay Kumar astride Brooklyn Beauty switched lanes in his attempt to overtake Carlisle and shifted in, squeezing Carlisle towards the rails in the process. As young Shivansh was unbalanced when trying to steady Carlisle while brushing the rails, Antony Raj atop Terenga had already committed himself in taking the wide open gap towards the rails. Unfortunately, Carlisle suddenly dropped back due to which Terenga clipped his heels resulting in both Shivansh and Antony being unseated. Ruby Red meanwhile slipped into the lead after a brief tussle with Brooklyn Beauty and was hard-ridden by P. Sai Kumar to assert her superiority in the final furlong. The filly went on to register her fourth straight success defeating runner-up Encore. Brooklyn Beauty just about held on to the third spot by a whisker from N R I Doublepower, who failed to gather momentum in the straight.

Sai Kumar achieved a back-to-back trophy double when KSV Prasad Raju-schooled Dictator gave him an armchair ride to victory in the Deccan Bookmakers Welfare Association sponsored Darley Arabian Million (Gr.3). Dictator (Phoenix Tower – Koh Samui) stormed into the lead as the starter’s flag came down and won almost untroubled thereafter. Favourite Lashka fought for her head till the half-way mark following which the LVR Deshmukh trainee seemed to have lost interest when Antony sought to challenge Dictator and was beaten a long way from home. In Proposito finished a faraway third with Born Brave, who after being prominent alongside the favourite till entering the final run-in, faded out to end last.

Much to the chagrin of punters, K. Satheesh’s ward Royal Parade claimed the Lingapur Cup where his stable-mate Rolls Royce was slammed down to favouritism ahead of Glorious Power, Desert Hero and Cannon Rose. Nakhat Singh eased Royal Parade into the lead as the field took off and kicked on after the much-anticipated acceleration from Rolls Royce failed to materialise. Glorious Power raised some hopes in the straight but Nakhat packed enough punch in his riding to steer Royal Parade (Be Safe – Designer) to safety. Glorious Power took the second slot while Rolls Royce finished a tame third after chasing the winner till the fag end of the journey. Cannon Rose ran thereabouts to be fourth.

Ekram Alam-ridden Toffee also made every post of mile trip a winning one at the end of the day’s proceedings. Toffee (Sedgefield – Providence) surged ahead as usual and kicked on gamely to win in the wide open mile contest. Only My Way was in pursuit from the start but failed to tackle the winner. He ended second ahead of favourite N R I Ultrapower, who was unable to accelerate in the last furlong. Beauty Flame completed the judge’s frame.

Deshmukh-groomed Trishul achieved an encore but not before Antony had to deploy all his riding skills to get his mount to overwhelm Caraxes, who was being hailed as a winner close home. Afroz Khan took Caraxes on a pillar to post mission over the mile and quarter trip and almost pulled it off before Trishul (Excellent Art – Accessorize) fought resolutely and got up just in time to quell the leader’s spirited effort. Alpine Girl warmed up late and came from way off the pace to finish third ahead of Voice Of A Dream.

The 20 to 1 longshot Hoping Star (Smuggler’s Cove – Sea Value) gave a superb response to jockey Md. Ismail’s call in the closing stages of the six-furlong race to upset the fancied runners at the start of the day. Exeter once again hit the front with Hoping Star tracking him all the way. The latter overhauled Exeter in the last furlong and then scampered home to keep late-finishing Silver Act and Deccan Daisy at bay. Rochelle and Deccan Ranger ended close behind them.