The Neelesh Rawal-mentored filly Gachchhatu proved that her debut success was no flash in the pan when she gave a repeat performance in the Byerly Turk Million (Gr.3) on Monday. Her victim on this occasion was the outstation challenger See The Light, who was taken on a start-to-finish mission by Trevor Patel but ran out of fuel close home. Meanwhile, Gachchhatu (Sans Per Aquam = Senora Bella) was set in motion by Neeraj Rawal and her terrific burst of speed floored See The Light nearer home. Turiya was a good third whilst Star Envied ran green and could do no better than finish fourth.
 
The S. Sreekanth-groomed gelding Truth yet again displayed his stamina to achieve an encore when trouncing his opponents in the Sri A. S. Krishna Memorial Cup run over the Derby distance. Truth lay unconcerned in the rear pack as Brooklyn Beauty, who tried to repeat her successful runaway tactics, and had Nightmare and Akido going in chase. Timing his challenge to perfection, Akshay gave Truth his head shortly before the field approached the final turn following which the grey picked up pace to catch up with Nightmare, who had gained the upper hand over Brooklyn Beauty. Truth (Pinson - Lady Be Good) then skipped away to score a bloodless victory over Nightmare. Siddharth and Detective got to figure on the board after Brooklyn Beauty and Akido dropped back.
 
Having failed to make a winning debut last month, the juvenile filly Pacific Heights eventually graduated from the maiden ranks in her second attempt. With S. Saqlain guiding her fortunes on this occasion, Leo D'Silva-schooled Pacific Heights (Dali - Parade Queen) was swiftly off from the blocks and won untroubled all the way over the six-furlong journey for the Attractress Plate (Div-II). Pride Aside, Sharanga and Misty Night followed the winner home.
 
The first division of the Attractress Plate saw another on-money favourite emerge victorious. KSV Prasad Raju-saddled Cherie Chevalier, who had an educative run on debut a month ago, raced in the mid-bunch as Double Bubble went to the front. Despite being taken out at the bend by Moonlite Rose, causing him to enter wide into the straight, P. Sai Kumar-steered Cherie Chevalier (Leitir Mor – Mauna Kea) unleashed a powerful run to tackle Double Bubble and the winner was sighted about a furlong and half away from the destination. Double Bubble held on to the second place from hard-ridden Moonlite Rose and Honey Luna.
 
Spotting winners in the other four events conducted during the day and laying bets on horses, which punters thought deserved to win, was nothing but flirting with danger. As usual, those horses which received one-sided support obliged while the others were missing in “action”. Although last-outing winner Swiss Girl was put into the hands of Akshay by trainer A. Imran Khan, the chances of Eminency and Pinatubo, the medium of a heavy gamble, gained prominence in the betting ring. Swiss Girl (West Virginia – Superb) sped into the lead from the gates and, though intimidated by Morning Mist in the straight, made every post a winning one by kicking on to register an encore. Blue Pantheress made a late dash to finish runner-up, a neck in front of Morning Mist and Battle On finishing a head away.
 
Crimson Rose, though neglected in the betting, gave a speedy display to take over the running at the start but couldn’t maintain a straight course when BR Kumar applied pressure in the home stretch, which allowed First Class to slip through the inner rails. K. Mukesh Kumar astride First Class (Stardan – Anassa) seized the opportunity to hit the front in the last furlong and drove the Magan Singh Parmar trainee to a narrow win over Crimson Rose. Well=fancied Winning Attitude graced the wrong end of the field till the heads turned for home and despite covering ground when Akshay asked him for an effort, the favourite could only manage to make it to the third place ahead of Mark My Day.
 
Jockey Afroz Khan, who was struggling to open his account this season, steered D’Silva-saddled Silver Lining to an upset win later in the day. Silver Lining (Total Gallery – Romagna) tracked leader Star Cruise into the straight and stepped up the pace to collar him inside the last furlong and half. Afroz lost his whip at this stage but he kept Silver Lining going and won well from Char Ek Char and Inderdhanush, who had Lights On finishing close behind.
 
The speedy customer Challenger, ridden by Nakhat Singh, went straight down to business in the concluding event and the favourite seemed to be in sight of a victory before Sopranos got into his act in the final run-in. Joint favourite Sopranos (Whatsthescript – So Charm) joined the issue with Challenger in the final furlong and the Sai Kumar-ridden trainee from Imran’s yard settled the issue in the last hundred metres. Sweet Dancer and Mr. Perfect came close behind.