With only a solitary failure during his four career starts, James Mckeown schooled John Wick went into the HPSL Golconda 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) as the overwhelming favourite to prevail over his ten rivals. Akshay Kumar-piloted John Wick seemed to be on course to justify the punters’ optimism as he strode clear of his rivals in the home stretch but caught a tartar in Duke of Tuscany, who was turned out in top fettle for this encounter by trainer Laxman Singh. John Wick chose to dictate the terms after taking charge from no-hopers Annhilator and Espionage before the first right-handed turn and galloped freely in front. The only horse to catch the eye with his movement was Duke of Tuscany, who made steady improvement as the field approached the final turn. John Wick entered the home straight ahead of the pack when P. Sai Kumar astride Duke of Tuscany launched his bid from the top of the home stretch. Duke of Tuscany moved rapidly to initially tackle Oliver’s Mount and Vafadar, who were bowing out of the contest and even brushed aside the aggression of King Immortal who ranged alongside. Duke of Tuscany was in full flight as he swiftly gained ground and went gunning for John Wick. The favourite’s lead was cut down fast by Duke of Tuscany and despite Akshay’s last ditch effort, John Wick succumbed to his rival’s assault in the final hundred metres. Duke of Tuscany (Cougar Mountain – Nicollini) won by a margin of two lengths over John Wick with King Immortal managing to finish in the money ahead of Secret Saint. Duke of Tuscany is jointly owned by Messrs Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, Zahir K. Dhunjibhoy, Rama Seshu Eyunni and Ms Anousha Meyers. Sai Kumar, who replaced Trevor Patel in the saddle astride Duke of Tuscany, gave the winner admirable support in the saddle and made most of the opportunity to achieve success in a group event.
 
Sai Kumar had earlier partnered the 20 to 1 long shot Berrettini to a stunning upset in the Basalath Jah Memorial Cup (Div-I) and the victim was the Akshay-ridden Minecraft. The favourite had just collared leader High Reward inside the final furlong when A. Imran Khan-saddled Berrettini came with a blazing run down the straight to topple Minecraft. Akshay was dazed when he saw Berrettini (Be Safe – Swiss Eagle) breeze past him close home. Brooklyn Beauty ran a game third ahead of Blazing Gun. Gretsy, who was lesser fancied than only Minecraft in the betting ring, failed to figure in the finish and ran hopelessly throughout.
 
The Inheritor, who was racing in the same colours as Minecraft, had met the same fate as his owner-mate earlier in the lower division of the Basalath Jah Memorial Cup. Ridden by Gaurav Singh, top-weighted The Inheritor went on a pillar to post mission and was in command till the final half furlong where Leo D’Silva-trained Reigning Beauty (Pinson – Beau Ideal) came with a rattle in the straight to swamp him close home. The Inheritor managed to keep the second spot in a tight finish involving Ragnarok and Delhi Heights, who both got interested in the proceedings only when the race was in the safe-keeping of the winner.
 
Akshay’s strong finishing skills aboard Pleasant Star helped the favourite to escape the clutches of his main adversary Uchchaihshravas, who had all but overhauled him in a tantalising finish for the Rajah Narasimha Rao Memorial Cup. Queen Empress and Uchchaihshravas ran abreast as they led the seven-horse field into the straight with Pleasant Star close behind and well poised to enter the fray. Akshay brought Srinivas Reddy-groomed Pleasant Star into contention at the two-furlong marker, setting up the stage for a battle royale which ensued between the fancied pair. Neelesh Rawal-groomed Uchchaihshravas fought valiantly but it was not his day as Akshay packed enough power in his effort, which enabled Pleasant Star (Fiero – In The Stars) to secure a head victory. Original Sin was off to a slow start but improved well to finish third ahead of Anemoi. Sugar ran a disappointing fifth.
 
Donald Netto-trained Ayushman ran true to the expectations of his connections when making a winning debut in the Megatop Plate (Div-I), the day’s curtain raiser. Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) had Ayushman within striking distance of leader Dubai Touch almost all the way from the barriers and was set in motion with little over a furlong left for home. Ayushman (Dreamfield – On Fleek) took some time to warm up before getting the measure of Dubai Touch and survived the late flurry of Gold Giver to win by a neck. Lake Michigan rallied late to be third ahead of Royal Warrior.
 
Foxy Girl however failed to justify the favouritism in the Megatop Plate (Div-II) though it appeared that she would succeed in her wire to wire mission. Akshay got the Srinivas Reddy-saddled filly to jump out fluently from the gates and it appeared at one stage that she would skip away for her maiden win. But Imran Chisty and Walking Thunder had other ideas. Before making his winning bid, Walking Thunder (Air Support – Well Focused) from LVR Deshmukh’s yard improved slowly but steadily after racing in the mid-bunch till the final turn. Imran worked assiduously aboard Walking Thunder, which saw him close in on Foxy Girl, who lost steam in the final stages of the race. Walking Thunder won comfortably from Cherie Chevalier and Ashwa Changez, who moved up to take the minor places ahead of the tired Foxy Girl.
 
The experience and the better staying power of DAS saw the Ananta Vatsalya trainee overshadow his younger rivals over the mile and quarter journey for the Tribute Plate. Balahaka played his role of pace-maker for stable-mate Freedom Touch to perfection and surrendered the lead to the latter as the heads turned for home. Ashhad Asbar eased Freedom Touch into the lead but he was felled by the strong run unleashed by Ajeeth Kumar-steered DAS (David Livingston – Fast Lady), who won untroubled after tackling the favourite. Skyward finished a faraway third with N R I Star ending fourth.
 
Park Lane gave a similar treatment to her opponents when claiming Bakranangal Plate (Div-II) with utmost ease. Md. Ismail-ridden Park Lane lacked initial speed but Robin Reddy’s ward gathered momentum in the straight to challenge Wind Sprite. Park Lane (Black Cash – Sea Value) moved with lightning speed to tackle the leader and was in no danger of being caught thereafter. Wind Sprite retained the second spot with Pancho finishing on to be third ahead of Golden Inzio.
 
The concluding event of the day was decided in a close finish between Crimson Rose and favourite Top In Class with the verdict going in favour of the former. Sucker Punch tried runaway tactics but was overtaken by Silver Lining in the home stretch. Meanwhile, BR Kumar brought Crimson Rose with a steady run to snatch the lead inside the last furlong and won warding off the fierce challenge thrown at her by Top In Class. RH Sequeira-saddled Crimson Rose (Equiano – Thurayaat) prevailed by a neck and then survived a futile attempt by jockey K. Mukesh Kumar to get the judges’ placings reversed in the stewards’ room. The stewards found no merit in Mukesh’s protest and allowed Crimson Rose to keep the race. See My Attitude’s late blitz fetched her the third spot ahead of Muaser.