Tuesday’s monsoon races saw unfancied runners rule the roost in the latter half of the six-event card. Rank outsider Flying Scotsman (Phoenix Tower – Thread Bare) moved with raking strides down the centre of the track to leave the eleven-horse field standing in the seven-furlong race for the Awesome One Cup. Low-weight jockey P Uday Kiran had the six-year-old from the stable of Shyam Habbu racing in mid-bunch for most part while first Sea Lion and then Clifford called the shots. The favourite Destroyer was only a shadow of his old self and appeared to be outpaced. He returned lame. Once into the straight, Flying Scotsman was easily the best moving horse and he spared over three lengths to the runner-up Savvy Chic at the wire.

Rajesh Narredu’s three-year-old chestnut colt Global Influence (Roderic O’Connor – She) threw down the gauntlet to others of his age group as he lifted the Independence Cup in a common canterin superb timing. On this showing, he may well close as the favourite for The Colts Trial Stakesearly next month. Jockey Yash Narredu enjoyed an armchair ride atop the youngster and had to work a little harder to complete a brace in the next race while astride Arti Doctor trained Main Street (Smuggler’s Cove-Mykonos). The veteran trainer was elated and mentioned in her post-race comments that we may see her in the Fillies Trial Stakes. The filly collared the front-runner after the turning for home and drew away from the favourite Sativur who lost considerable ground by ending up on the outside of the track. He will be worth following in the near future.

The Elistano Handicap saw the four-year-old filly Norwegian Wood installed as the favourite but she failed to live up to expectations. Two other fancied runners  - King’s Retreat and Bibury – fought for the lead in the straight but their efforts came to nought as Hindu Singh brought Anil Kumar – trained Felix (Sir Percy – Alacritas) with giant strides on the outside to land the spoils in great style.

The afternoon commenced sedately enough with Javed Khan-trained top-weight Oromelo (Tenth Star – Smokie) installed as the piping hot on-money favourite in the Adhira Handicap. The four-year-old filly did not disappoint her followers as she won the mile race with a degree of comfort in the hands of Neeraj Rawal. After a roller-coaster day at the races , the curtain came down with trainer B. Mahesh’s Cristaldo (Win Legend-Abnoba) notching up back-to-back wins early in the season. P. Surya rode the four-year-old once again to victory after it seemed at the top of the straight that the favourite Xtravagant Star might pull it off. The public choice was being ridden by RS Bhati as star rider Yash Narredu was declared unfit to ride. The one for the notebook is Bundle Of Charm who went down narrowly at the all-important end.