It is strange but true. Four top jockeys on the Indian racing circuit  listed to partner four runners in the fray for the Chief Minister's Trophy turned the plum event into a farce. The Hyderabad raider Magnum partnered by top gun Trevor Patel and Champions Way piloted by leading saddle artiste Suraj Narredu rocketed to the front soon after the four contestants came under the starter's flag for the 2000 metres trip and led by more than 10 lengths all through the backstretch before they finished a shocking 28 lengths behind the the least fancied  winner Galahad from the stables of Sulaiman Attaollahi and the even-money favourite Evaldo from trainer Prasanna Kumar.'s yard.  The poor judgement of the top two saddle artistes surprised the railbirds and the yawning 28 length margin defied logic. It simply was too bad to be true and most old hats in the game, disgusted with the dismal effort of the big boys sought an explanation, pointing out that it was a sham. 

Akshay Kumar who partnered Galahad, next booted home the lesser fancied Super Marvella to a thrilling victory in the concluding event, the Human Rights Day Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The Neil Devaney ward, who had finished more than a dozen lengths behind Agera in their last head-to-head clash over an identical distance stunned the followers of form finishing a length ahead of the Pradeep Annaiah ward this time out. Making up a 12 length deficit in less than 15 days is pure magic and it is the magicians in this game who are ruling the roost, while the poor punters are slaughtered, the reversal of form and many enhanced performances producing shocking results. It is time the stipes and stewards at this centre crack the whip on some of the habitual offenders, The blow-hot, blow-cold efforts should be questioned and punished. The Dominic-trained Treasure Chest piloted by in-form Trevor Patel was locked in a ding-dong battle with the winner in the final two furlongs, but to the disappointment of the Dominic camp, Treasure Chest failed to pass Super Marvella, who at end spared a `neck' to the runner-up, who in turn finished a `neck' ahead of the fast finishing Strikingly. 

Dominic earlier led in the four to one shot Anzac Parade, who made every post a winning one in the lower division of the Shanti Falls Plate run over a sprint. Sienna Princess from the stables of Warren Singh was slammed down in the betting ring from (2/1) to (60/100) despite the fact that the filly was back after a nine-month long lay-off. The connections of the `Princess' touted the big built filly a moral certainty. But that was not to be, Sienna Princess finishing a tame third behind her stablemate Silicon Star. It must be mentioned that the heavily backed filly stumbled in the race and that costed her supporters dear at the end. Sienna Princess with this forgettable run under her belt will prove to be a different proposition next time out. 

The Sulaiman Attaollahi-trained Exceed was another short-priced favourite who floored the punters. Competing in the upper division of the Shanti Falls Plate, Exceed piloted by Trevor failed to justify his top billing finishing a poor third much to the chagrin of all the big bettors, who nominated him as one safe bet in the nine-event card despite his below par effort in a mock race.  The lesser fancied Redouble from Pursshotham's yard confidently piloted by leading pro Srinath produced a winning gallop approaching the distance post to snuff out the challenge of the rank outsider Oxytocin. This exercise after 11-months will help Exceed gain the fitness, but this talented colt, it is clear has fully not recovered from the big setback after his smashing debut last winter and it will pay to watch his progress in the morning trials before supporting him again next time out. 

The Irfan Ghatala schooled last start winner Pharazon recorded his second straight success, coming up tops in the DM Shivaswamy Memorial Trophy run over a mile.The winner was ably piloted by Arvind Kumar who calmly stuck to his task and gained the desired result edging out last start winner King Of War and stablemate Red Falcon. The Narayan Gowda schooled Auspicious Queen was heavily backed, but she in the hands of Mukesh Kumur raced in patches and to the disappointment of the large following finished down the field. This effort from the public choice was too bad to be true considering the fact that Auspicious Queen in her last effort  had finished third behind the winner Tehani and the runner-up  August, who are rated much higher.

The Arjun Manglorkar schooled Aralina was the most impressive winner of the day. Competing in the Mahanadi Stakes, the filly produced a stunning turn of foot in the hands of leadin  pro Sandesh to detonate her six rivals including the favourite Vivaldo who found Aralina too hot to handle, the Arjun ward bolting in by a margin of six lengths. Aralina on the strength of this superb effort is certain to provide an encore. Vivaldo can be given another chance, while it will do a world of good if you ignore Elpenor, who has gone off the boil and will take time to get into the groove before he stakes claim to resume his winning ways. 

The seven to one shot Firefinch from Pradeep Annaiah's yard  came up tops in the Ganga Plate run over a sprint. The winner edged out rank outsider Empress Bella in a close finish, while the leaders on top of the betting board, Princess Jasmine, Chiraag and Capri Girl failed to make an impression and failed to even save money in place. Chiraag again burst his blood vessels and it is time his connections retire him simply because he continues to take sacks full of money down the drain, each time he comes under the starter's flag. 

The well-backed Gloriousness from the stables of Satish Narredu justified her top billing in the opening event for juveniles powering home without unduly being extended by Suraj in the Buckpasser Plate run over a sprint. The winner who finished a good second behind Sethelight in her debut proved too good for her nine rivals making most of the run under her belt and the significant improvement she had made from her last exercise to romp home in style. Second in demand at the betting ring, Imperador from Prasanna Kumar's yard found the winner too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. Doncaster Belle from Darius Byramji's yard finished a creditable third, while the bred in the purple Einaudi failed to make a promising impression in his first career start. 

Second behind her stablemate Lux Aeterna in her last essay, Basilica from Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard shed her maiden status producing a winning gallop in the hands of Trevor to justify her top ranking in the Talakaveri Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. Torobravo looked good while gaining the runner-up berth ahead of Habibti and it will not be long before this Irfan Ghatala trainee enters the winners' circle this winter. The same cannot be mentioned about Habibti, who is very ordinary and will struggle to break ice in terms events for maidens.