A field of nine was in the fray for the Y. Shanker Rao Memorial Colts’ Championship Stakes (Gr.3), the main attraction of Sunday’s small card of six events, but none of the eight contestants seemed to possess the calibre required to take on African Gold, the Parvati Byramji-nurtured four-year old titan from Bangalore. Given the career performance of African Gold, the outcome of the race was of academic interest only. On the race-track, Akshay Kumar-ridden African Gold (Multidimensional – Botswana) was so keen to display his superiority that he shot into the lead after being held in check for the first three furlongs. The piping-hot favourite didn’t suffer the mediocre opposition kindly and kept his reputation intact by drawing away for an emphatic victory over the mile trip. After being left to fight for the crumbs, Secret Saint ran a distance behind to take the second berth whilst King Immortal and Flying Fury completed the judges’ frame. The Usha Stud bred winner is the joint property of Messrs Mukul Sonawala, Dilip Thacker, Girish Mehta and Atul Amersey.

Shadow Of The Moon, who had a perfect lung-opener in the lower class last month, was advantageously placed on the scales in the Nice Fella Plate, a Class I event run over a mile. Siddharth, who was carrying a back-breaking burden of 62.5kg on his back was the favourite initially but Shadow Of The Moon found enthusiastic support as he was in receipt of 11kg from the former and ended up as joint favourite before the scheduled start of the race. Jockey G. Vivek kept L. D’Silva-groomed Shadow Of The Moon within striking distance of the front-runners, Candy Girl and Baisa in the initial phase of the race. Shortly after the field straightened for home, and a little over two furlongs to go for the destination, Vivek urged the grey colt to assume command. The son of Sir Cecil out of Avarua went surging into the lead and capitalised on his handicap to win handsomely against favourite Siddharth and stable-mate Huntingdon. The rest were clearly outclassed.

Neelesh Rawal-trained Uchchaihshravas was another short-priced runner after African Gold during the day and the bay colt gave no anxious moments to his supporters. Uchchaihshravas allowed no-hopers Pinatubo and Master Touch to show the way to the field and raced close on their heels after the runners had sorted themselves out for the seven-furlong event and made his bid only when they moved into the home stretch. The bay colt stole a march over his rivals in response to Neeraj Rawal’s call and, though his main rival Nonpariel made a feeble attempt to intimidate him, Uchchaihshravas (Excellent Art – Sundance Kid) remained steadfast enroute his second straight success. Neeraj drove him plain hands and heels before retiring home a comfortable winner. Nonpariel ended second while Jet Falcon was a faraway third ahead of Club Queen, who toiled at the tail end for most of the journey.

D’Silva achieved a double when the chestnut filly Glorious Power upset the applecart of the two fancied runners, Lashka and Dictator, in the day’s last event. Santa Barbara, one of the three contenders from D’Silva’s yard, seized the initiative when the gates flew open and was followed by Lashka, Dictator and Kings Best. Lashka failed to match Santa Barbara’s speed and raced in the second spot whilst Akshay Kumar-partnered Dictator started to fall behind gradually as the race progressed. As the field led by Santa Barbara was into the straight and homeward bound, Lashka started plodding while Dictator was in distress and dropped back to be last after Akshay stopped riding him in the last furlong or so. Meanwhile, S. Saqlain brought Glorious Power into contention and engaged her stable-mate into a fierce duel. Apprentice Ekram Alam astride Santa Barbara fought hard to sustain the lead but Glorious Power (Shifting Power – Glorious Hymn) was unrelenting until she wore her down close home. Kings Best came with a second run but fell short by half-length. Santa Barbara finished third ahead of Coming Home, who was not given a punishing race. Lashka ran a poor sixth.

Entrusted in the hands of Yash Narredu after three forgettable outings, including two behind his former barn-mate Indian Sniper this season, Laxman Singh-trained Australia finally found his moorings on Sunday. Australia stalked leader Espionage after jumping out smartly from the gates and entered the home stretch in the same order. Espionage showed remarkable tenacity in holding on to his lead as Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) went flat out on Donald Netto’s ward, however Yash was equally resolute in persisting with Australia, who responded with a final leap to pip the leader by the proverbial whisker in his last stride. Final Judgement improved from the rear to finish third ahead of Worcester. Nucleus went out as the favourite but was unfavourably placed towards the rails in the mid-bunch and failed to quicken when Mohit Singh made his move at the top of the straight. He could do no better than finish a tame fifth.

Three-year old maiden One N Only from Netto’s string graduated from the maiden ranks in the opening event and played spoilsport for Torch Bearer. The latter led all the way shortly after the gates opened and was being hailed as a winner when One N Only (Akeed Champion – Magical Night), who was in pursuit of the leader all the way, produced a belligerent run. Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) drove the bay gelding vigorously to overwhelm Torch Bearer in the last hundred metres. Queen Of Kings was heavily punished after racing behind the two leaders when the field settled down but could not improve further. She finished third and had Freedom Touch following her home. Debutant Aos Si fell back gradually after going into the lead momentarily and finished down the field.