A big high-five it proved to be for Parvati Byramji and her unbeaten classic colt African Gold, who recorded his fifth straight success including his two classic victories. The top colt in his preparation for the classics ahead,at his parent-centre (Bengaluru) and Mumbai detonated his four rivals without really extending himself and the sublime effort puts him on top of the classic pile gearing up for all the big battles across the country before the Invitation Cup on the first Sunday of March, most probably in Chennai.

African Gold,it is clear is getting better and better with each outing and the best is yet to come. And Parvati, it is needless to mention, will only be hoping that the star performer will peak before the classics, he chooses to contest in the months ahead. At the moment the unbeaten colt appears the best of his age and sex on the Indian circuit over the metric mile and all he needs,is stay fit in his effort to gallop to fame in the blue riband events.

Competing in the RCTC Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs, the top pro Akshay Kumar, the designated pilot of the classic colt pushed him ahead and set his own pace before outclassing his rivals long way from home. Galahad expectedly followed the big boy home.

Second in demand at the betting ring, Victoria Doresaani from trainer Irfan Ghatala's yard came up trumps in the Ardent Knight Trophy. The in-form Alex Rozario, who booted home Mandarino in the Mysore Derby produced a copy book effort on the winner. Victoria Doresaani in fact opened the first favourite in the betting ring before big money came pouring in on the Narayan Gowda schooled Auspicious Queen hammered down from (5/2) to (80/100). Angad partnering the strongly fancied `queen' chose to play the waiting game on the public choice, but what was surprising and more importantly disappointing was that Angad made no effort to improve his position while Sassy and Victoria Doresaani after gaining favourable positions early on in the race had seized control before Angad leisurely made his move  and only managed to finish a tame third. The fact that Angad made no effort to improve his position, content to stay in the rear calls for an explanation and hopefully the stipes and stewards at this centre start to crack the whip on the offenders, who time and again intentionally perform below par.

Leading trainer Padmanabhan and top saddle artiste Sandesh combined successfully to record a good double through Final Call and the heavily backed  goodtype of youngster Emphatic. The former, who had finished second behind Nyx on the opening day went one better, easily pegging back the challenge of the favourite Rock Bank who also had gained the runner-up berth behind Rodney on second day. Sandesh confidently hit the front in the mile long event and under no pressure galloped home nice and easy making a satisfactory impression while gaining his first winning bracket.

Emphatic on the strength of her suggestive effort in her maiden start at Mysore was the top choice in the lower division of the Vidurashwatha Plate run over a sprint and the public rage readily justified the support making every post a winning one. Real Happiness edged out the Sulaiman schooled Basilica for the second spot, while Valencia completed the frame. Emphatic on the strength of this performance is certain to provide an encore when saddled next.The upper division of the event, the final event of the day was cancelled after a thunder shower moments after African Gold paraded his talent forced the stewards of the club to cancel the remaining two races, the track not fit for racing.

The well-backed Sacred Creator from Narayan Gowda's yard came out tops in the Shimsha Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. Angad's effort on Sacred Creator was neat and true before he blotted his book producing a lacklustre effort on the heavily backed Auspicious Queen in the Ardent Knight Trophy.The consistent Emeraldo from the stables of Pradeep Annaiah followed the winner home ahead of Superhero, while the favourite Bourbon Bay failed to make an impression and to the disappointment of his supporters finished down the field.

Count Basie from the stables of Sulaiman Attaollahi on the strength of a couple of impressive efforts in the morning trials was fancied most in the Hogenakkal Falls Plate run over a mile, but the public choice raced in patches and only managed to finish a tame third behind the runner-up Aircraft and the start to finish winner Imperial Star from the stables of Rajesh Narredu partnered by Suraj.