Having arrived on the scene a trifle late when outwitted by stable-mate Siege Courageous in the Turf Club Trophy over seven furlongs, Prasanna Kumar’s ward Royal Mysore was not to be denied the glory he deserved in the City Gold Trophy. With Trevor Patel back to assist him in the saddle and a furlong more to conquer on this occasion, Royal Mysore ran like a true champion to earn his sixth career success. Golden Neil dashed into the lead with Chopin in close attendance whilst Royal Mysore raced unconcerned in the rear pack. Having shot his bolt by the time the field was turning for home, Golden Neil conceded the ground to Chopin who surged into the lead and had Rasputin in chase. Trevor meanwhile stirred Royal Mysore into action which induced a similar reaction from Antony Raj aboard Siege Courageous. Royal Mysore started his ascent by brushing aside Count Of Savoy and then steadily moved forward to gradually reach alongside Chopin and Rasputin with Siege Courageous also getting stronger. Despite the right-handed whipping from Trevor, Royal Mysore lugged in before charging ahead and taking the rails run. Chopin and Rasputin both seemed intimidated by Royal Mysore’s drift as they tried to stay in contention. Once he gained the upper hand, Trevor steered Royal Mysore (Gusto – Daffodils) to a convincing win while Rasputin, Siege Courageous and Chopin followed him home in that order and were separated by a neck each. When dropping back, Golden Neil broke down and dislodged Mustakim Alam in the process. Golden Neil was later euthanized. Royal Mysore is the joint property of Messrs Niraj Tyagi and Vikas Sachdeva representing the Blazing Saddles (PF) and was bred at the Bishan Stud Farm.

Prasanna saddled his first winner of the day when he led in In Thy Light, who defied the penalty incurred for his previous run and went on to win on promotion. Fighton sped past Fast Pace as the gates opened with In Thy Light racing at the back of the field but well in touch with the front runners. Fast Pace tried to tackle Fighton as the heads turned for home but it was Akshay Kumar-ridden It’s My Time who shot into the lead. Sandesh finding a wall of horses in front at the bend brought In Thy Light on the wide outside before showing him the daylight. In The Light (Phoenix Tower – Divine Impact) gathered momentum and soon collared It’s My Time to burst ahead for a comfortable victory. It’s My Time held on to the second berth ahead of Golden Glow whilst Charlie ran on late to be fourth.

Trevor completed a double when he piloted the Aman Hussain trainee Goddes Of Dawn to a narrow win over Wanderlust and Decacorn. Trevor eased Goddes Of Dawn (Win Legend – Flying Show) into the lead after seizing the initiative from speedy Mirae a few metres away from the gates and then made every post of the five-furlong sprint a winning one. Wanderlust raced on the haunches of the winner all the way but couldn’t catch her and was beaten by half length. House Of Lords was in close attendance of Wanderlust till hard-ridden Decacorn rallied to take the third spot and later fast-finishing Eloquent denied him the fourth place.

Seeking Alpha from Pesi Shroff’s yard, a failed favourite in his previous essay, was neglected in the betting for the Fourth Estate Trophy as stable-mate Doron, Applause and Divine Hope cornered majority of the support in the bookies’ ring. Akshay hit the front with Applause and decided to dictate the terms over the mile and quarter trip with Arise And Shine and Seeking Alpha following him. As the front-running duo called it a day for want of fuel at the final turn, Seeking Alpha (Moonlight Magic – Cogito Ergo Sum) assumed command as G. Vivek drove him out to leave Divine Hope, who tried hard to catch the winner in the home straight, frustrated behind. Doron toiled hard to finish third ahead of Dancing Star.

Young Haridas Gore-partnered Arbitrage produced a dazzling run in the final stages of the five-furlong trip for the lower division of the Gentlemen’s Trophy to scuttle Superimpose’s winning bid in the last couple of strides. Earlier, Navnath Bhosale-ridden Superimpose disputed the lead with Toscana from the word go and probably all his energy was sapped by the time he could tame Toscana about half furlong away from the wire. Rehanullah Khan-groomed Arbitrage (Surfrider – Silken Eyes) showed tremendous acceleration when alerted by Haridas in the last furlong and got the better of Superimpose by a whisker. Toscana ended a game third ahead of Hilma Klint.

In a similar finish, CS Jodha powered Winter Agenda just about lasted out to win in the last race of the day. Jodha took Winter Agenda on a start to finish mission over the mile journey and had the winning post coming to his rescue when Star Galley came with a menacing run in the closing stages of the race. Adhirajsingh Jodha-saddled Winter Agenda (Win Legend – Integra) won by a short-neck with Rush, who flattered to deceive when appearing to throw a strong challenge at the winner, ran third once again. Walter was not duly extended when finishing fourth ahead of favourite Endurance, who never raised any hopes for his followers after a lethargic start.

Behram Cama-trained Uzi struck immediately on demotion to the lowest class and thrashed his opponents over the mile and quarter trip to earn his maiden success. TS Jodha-steered Uzi (Quasar – Ace Two Three) was ridden off the pace as Batista showed zest for racing when taking over the running soon after the start. Uzi made steady progress to range alongside Marlboro Man, who took charge from Batista just before turning for home. Uzi cruised into the lead as soon as the heads turned for home and it was smooth sailing thereafter for the favourite. Marlboro Man and Spiritual Rock finished runner-up and third respectively while Yuletide ended fourth.

Etoile from veteran professional Bezan Chenoy’s string lived up to the promise shown in her last run to earn her maiden bracket in the day’s opening event. Antony Raj kept the filly well up behind Elizabeth Regina and Encantamento till the final turn and then pressed her into action. Etoile (Planetaire – Stardom Calling) stretched out nicely to take control of the running with about a furlong left for home and won warding off the late threat posed by both Kanya Rashi and India Strong. Floyd completed the judge’s frame. The General and Ashwa Kutang (previously named Kinzhal) continued with their disappointing performance and finished off the board.