Despite her disappointing performance against KSV Prasad Raju trained and P. Sai Kumar partnered Dictator last month, it was felt that the three-year old filly Lashka would make amends in the Nari Reddy Memorial Million. There were four maidens in the field of six and given her performance earlier, Lashka was expected to easily prevail over her rivals. But that was not to be. Once again it was the Prasad Raju-Sai Kumar combine that caused the downfall of Lashka. Ironically, Star Forever, who had failed to carry the public purse twice in the past one month, proved to be Lashka’s tormentor on this occasion. Lashka got to seize the initiative as the starter’s flag came down with Calistoga, Rolls Royce in close attendance whilst Sargent and Star Forever were racing behind. Lashka enjoyed a good lead when the field straightened for home which was cut down by Star Forever (Excellent Art – Forever Glory), who gradually inched closer to throw a challenge in the last furlong. The two horses fought a ding-dong battle, which climaxed in Star Forever forcing Lashka into submission. No matter how hard Ashhad Asbar tried he could not avoid the defeat of another favourite ridden by him this season. Calistoga finished third ahead of Flying Fury.

Both Deshmukh and Asbar made amends with the success of Trishul, who was outclassed by Lady Danger last week. Lesser fancied than stable-mate Divine Destiny, Trishul (Excellent Art – Accessorize) spurted into the lead from the word go and was never under the threat of being caught as he wrapped up the race long before the winning post arrived. First Class could only finish runner-up after Divine Destiny threw in his towel in the final stages of the mile trip. Sundance Kid did not veer out on this occasion but found the winner too good. He pegged back Divine Destiny to finish in the money.

Ragnarok, who caught a tartar in Minecraft late last month, was one of the few favourites to run true to expectations. Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) eased Ragnarok (Tenth Star – Sweet Caroline) into the lead shortly after the field took off for the sprint and entered the home stretch with a comfortable lead over the rest. The Donald Netto-mentored favourite got a few reminders from Kuldeep as he stretched out to go beyond the reach of his rivals in the last furlong. Tripurari, Proud Mary and Colt Pistol made a vain attempt to catch Ragnarok in the straight. Tripurari took the second berth with Proud Mary finishing a neck behind. Colt Pistol was overtaken by Bold Beauty near the post for the fourth spot.

As is the case with many fancied horses, the law of averages seemed to have caught up with Crown Witness, who was bidding for a hat-trick. Caraxes zoomed past China Town and London Bell to take charge of the running with Crown Witness ridden well off the pace by Sai Kumar. Crown Witness showed urgency at the half-way mark and made steady progress to be within striking distance of both Caraxes, who was still in command after entering the straight, and China Town. Crown Witness, however, failed to get into his stride swiftly as he tried to collar Caraxes and while these two were disputing the issue, the Jasbir Singh-saddled Alpine Girl was produced on the outer lane by apprentice Kuldeep Singh. The five-year old mare, who had run down the field in both her previous outings, made rapid ground to catch up with the leaders and went surging clear in the last furlong. Crown Witness finished a poor second, over five lengths behind the winner whilst Voice Of A Dream and Caraxes followed him home.

Leo D’silva-saddled Adbhut showed much improvement over his previous performance where he had taken a backseat during stable-mate Malibu's success as he went on to show a clean pair of heels to his rivals on this occasion. Apprentice Ekram Alam-steered Adbhut gave a speedy display to seize the initiative from the word go and had an uncontested lead throughout. Top-weighted favourite The Inheritor was outpaced as he tried to chase down the winner and faded out in the straight allowing Shadow Fax to finish second. Miracle Mary was third ahead of Hoping Star.

D’silva achieved a back-to-back double when Hurricane Star made it three in a row on promotion. It was Burgundy Black who adopted runaway tactics with Hurricane Bay racing second and waiting to pounce upon him. Afroz Khan made his bid in the straight and caught hold of the leader in the last hundred metres to assume command. However, Hurricane Bay (Planetaire – Midnight Wind) was required to be ridden all out by Afroz to escape the clutches of fast-finishing Fly Tothe Stars. Hurricane Bay thus completed a hat-trick with a narrow win. Path Of Peace made late progress to be third ahead of Burgundy Black.

The three-year old maiden Imperia swept her rivals off their feet as she took a fluent jump from the blocks to hit the front and sped away for an easy win. The Ananth Vatsalya groomed filly, though intimidated by the favourite Arion One, was guided astutely by Deepak Singh on her way to victory. Debutant Arion One was short of experience and had to settle for the runner-up slot. Gun For Gold was a faraway third with Golden Unicorn finishing close behind. Always Special lost her chances at the gates itself as she was off to a tardy start and could only finish fifth.

S. Sreekant-saddled Indian Temple, who had never hit the board during her year-long weight-reducing mission, eventually found her mark in the concluding event of the day. Jockey Surya Prakash made a start-to-finish bid atop Indian Temple (Saamidd – Jasoora) and the seven-year old mare brooked no opposition from her opponents as she cruised away for an authoritative win. Fara and Wandring Warrior finished second and third respectively with Tortilla Chip completing the judges’ frame. Favourite Lady Racines was declared a non-starter at the gates.