Trainer James McKeown, who enjoyed a good season, signed off in style leading in Gold Ride, the winner of the final plum of the season, the Sans Craintes Stud Million run over a sprint. To the credit of the Madras Race Club (MRC), it must be mentioned that the results obtained in the season were very satisfying from the punters point of view and the professionals at this centre and a good number of visiting trainers and jockeys too were impressed with the facilities offered at a centre which is on a fast track to make the list of premier racing centres.

A smart winner on debut, Gold Ride had the required potential to upset the applecart of the Bangalore challenger Helios from Darius Byramji's yard. But the railbirds fancied Helios to bag the final plum despite the fact that more than a couple of public fancies from Darius' yard at this centre have only taken a lot of good money down the drain. Helios was one other, no match to Gold Ride, who in the hands of Akshay Kumar, back after a three-month suspension cantered home without unduly being extended. Helios, the on-money favourite piloted by Imran Chisty failed to even save money in place, finishing a poor fourth behind the Mysore hopeful Temperance and the runner-up Lavish Girl from Vijay Singh's yard. Gold Ride appears a goodtype of youngster and his progress in the forthcoming Udghagamandalam racing season is certain to evoke maximum interest.

Akshay Kumar and James combined again to record a double, the favourite Salome justifying her top billing in the Milan Hill Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before producing her best in the concluding event of the season to send the punters home on a winning note. Second in demand at the betting ring, Royal Nobility after raising hopes at the top of the straight retired before the race came on a boil and finished down the field. The lesser fancied High Tribute followed the winner home ahead of Acantha, both from Vijay Singh's yard. 

Earlier,  Stag's Leap from the stables of Suraj Shaw recorded a shock win, coming up tops in the Prince Chevalier Handicap run over a sprint. The winner in the hands of young Saqlain, back after suspension, made every post a winning one pegging back the game effort of Mysore raider Eddie The Eagle and  the favourite Anzio from B Suresh's yard.  Anzio make no mistake has the ability to perform much better and should be persisted with in Ooty. 

The Fahad Khan schooled Annalisa garnered the maximum support in the Hampton Handicap run over a distance of seven furlong. But the overwhelming public choice found the four to one shot Kallipos from Uthaiah's yard piloted by five-kilo claimer Jitendra Singh too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. 

The strongly backed favourite First Missile justified the confidence of her supporters edging out lesser fancied Mr Starc and the five to one shot Star Of Liberty in a thrilling finish in the upper division of the Desmond Handicap run over 1100M dash. The lower division of the event was claimed by another public choice Lady Wonder from B Suresh's yard piloted by the promising apprentice Ram Nandan Manjhi. Last start winner Knotty Power who was also fancied strongly found the first two, Lady Wonder and Bohemian Star too hot to handle and only finished a tame third.