Despite carrying top weight, four-year old Siddharth outclassed his four opponents in the Bhagyanagar Million on Monday. Having fared well in the winter classics, it appeared that the fight would be restricted to Truth and Livermore. But Siddharth was backed with supreme confidence by his connections even as Livermore lost support in the betting suggesting that his winning chances were slim. Livermore went surging into the lead when the starter’s flag came down with High Command, Akido, Siddharth and Truth running not too far away in that order. Akido dropped out of contention at the turn while Siddharth was denied a clear run as the opening his tried to take at that juncture became non-existent when High Command shifted in. Siddharth was forced to change course with Akshay Kumar deciding to launch his assault from the outer lane. It took some time for him to get going but Siddharth gathered enough steam as Akshay applied pressure and joined Truth, High Command and Livermore, who was fading out with just under a furlong left for home. Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) urged Truth to charge of the running but his lead did not last long as he was overwhelmed by Siddharth, who came flying on the outside. Siddharth (Excellent Art – Lavender Brown), who had never travelled beyond a mile, then stormed into the lead and went on to register an impressive win. Truth ended up playing second fiddle to Siddharth whilst High Command finished third. The gross-looking Livermore was a tame fourth. The Poonawalla (Exhilaration) Stud Farms bred Siddharth is the property of Mr Aditya Thackersey.

Akshay faced no hassles in guiding the piping hot favourite White Pearl to an easy victory at the start of the day. Exclusive Spark and London Bells showed the way to field with the latter wresting the lead after crossing the half-way mark. Three-year old White Pearl (Sedgefield – Grey Mist) forged ahead when they turned for home and the grey filly brooked no opposition from her older rivals as the K. Satheesh trainee went sailing clear to make amends for her previous loss. Runner-up Voce Of A dream tried to intimidate the winner in the straight but found her too good to tackle. London Bells ended third whilst Caraxes ran a poor and disappointing fourth.

A. Imran Khan led in his first career winner as a trainer but not exactly the way he would have liked. Bottom-weighted Sopranos, who had finished dead last only a week ago, seemed to have sprouted wings when he burst on to the scene in the last furlong. Earlier, Divine Connection and Classical Music were engaged in a see-saw battle for the lead all the way from the start and before the dispute was settled, Dyanoosh sneaked through the inner rails. Ajeeth Kumar-piloted Sopranos (Whatsthescript – So Charm), however, came with a lightning run to zoom ahead and put the issue to rest. Classical Music took the second spot with Dyanoosh ending up in the money ahead of True Icon.

Priceless Prince had lady luck smiling on him as also the father-son duo of Satish and Suraj Narredu as he managed to evade what appeared to be an imminent defeat at the hands of Flying Fury in the Razia Sultan Plate, reserved for maiden juveniles. It was Suraj’s skillful maneuvering of Priceless Prince (Air Support – Crown Empress) which enabled the bay gelding to earn his maiden success. The winner, who made a start-to-finish bid, was a distance clear of Flying Fury who, when alerted by Afroz Khan, scorched the turf with his blazing run but found the winning post saving the day for Priceless Prince. These two were well clear third-placed Golden Unicorn, who was a neck ahead of Annhilator.

Nav Lakhaa got maximum support from among the four runners trainer Ananth Vatsalya saddled in the field of eight competing for the Three Wishes Plate and the maiden filly was bang on target over the five and half furlong sprint. Nav Lakhaa (Roderic O'Connor – Aviette) raced on the haunches of stable-mate Exeter till the field was homeward bound and picked up pace when Ajeeth put her into the top gear. Nav Lakhaa cruised ahead to romp home in style. There was yawning gap of over a distance between the winner and second-placed Blue Label, who was head in front of Reining Queen. The rest headed by Fortune Art trailed behind. Exeter lost pace rapidly in the straight and collapsed after passing the winning post.

Half-money favourite Espionage delivered the goods in the Devarakonda Cup but not before giving a major scare to her followers when the gauntlet was thrown at by Calista Girl. Earlier, D. Netto-schooled Espionage had gone straight down to business after the race was flagged off and was travelling very easy in the hands of Kuldeep Singh (Sr.). Apprentice Ajay Kumar-ridden Calista Girl gained places as the race progressed and was soon running on the haunches of Espionage. Calista Girl looked menacing all throughout the home stretch but failed to topple the hard-ridden favourite. N R I Skypower warmed up late to peg back Crimson Rose and Inderdhanush for the third place.

With Happy Go Lucky out of his way in the concluding event, KSV Prasad Raju's ward Midsummer Star availed the opportunity to record his fourth career success, the second at Malakpet. P. Sai Kumar kept Midsummer Star within striking range of speedy Blissful and Malibu till the latter took over the lead in the final two furlongs. The son of New Approach out of Ghasabah) moved steadily under the whip and wore down Malibu close home Amrya ran gingerly to finish third with last-outing winner Winning Attitude finding the going tough on promotion. She went on to complete the judges' frame.