The Hyderabad challenger Truth won the final classic of the Chennai season, the South India St.Leger in emphatic fashion. In a small field of four runners for the big plum, three outstation horses staked claim including Tiepolo from the stables of Mumbai champion Pesi Shroff and another Hyderabad hopeful Desert Hero, while the James McKeown-trained Trevalius was the only local aspirant for the gruelling, energy-sapping classic run over a distance of 2800 metres.

Truth partnered by top gun Akshay Kumar had the best credentials and the strongly fancied grey proved too good romping home without extending himself. The local hopeful Trevalius finished a game second ahead of Tiepolo. This was Truth's fourth straight success after the game galloper had recorded a hat-trick at his parent-centre and understanding that he is on top of his game, this Sreekant trainee is certain to maintain his winning streak at home in the monsoon season. Tevalius, who has a abysmal record, one solitary victory from 21 starts recorded in Sept 2022, keeps racing all through the year at different centres, but is just not capable of earning a winning bracket, his last and the only win recorded at Mysore 884 days ago. 

The principal added attraction on the classic day, the Queen Elizabeth Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs was claimed by the second in demand at the betting ring, Set In Gold bred at the Kunigal Stud Farm. The winner who had made a fine impression while winning his last start looked a picture of fitness and a confident Yash Narredu pushed the talented colt ahead and set his own pace before outwitting his five rivals including the hot favourite Sir Winston without really breaking a sweat. In fact the stablemate of Sir Winston, Laguna Seca from Vijay Singh's yard followed the winner home ahead of Luke The Nuke, while Sir Winston who made a smashing debut performed below par much to the chagrin of his large following.

The Fahad Khan schooled Persian Rock and This Is Gold from the stables of Deepesh Narredu opened favourites in the Sardar KB Ramachandaraj Urs Memorial Trophy before the Fahad trainee closed the favourite. The public choice piloted in copybook fashion by Akshay produced a winning gallop at the all-important end to snuff out the challenge of rank outsider Proposed in the final furlong to register his second win this season. Andorra from James McKeown's yard partnered by David Allan finished third ahead of Persian Rock's stablemate King's Battalion who appears fit and well to chalk out his third success before the curtains are drawn at the end of next month. 

After Persian Rock's success, the Fahad Khan camp fancied Sunche Dreams to come out on top in the concluding event, the Fair Play Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. But the old at tooth eight-year-old failed in his attempt to make an impression in the hands of Umesh and to the disappointment of his supporters finished in the ruck. Lesser fancied Cloud Jumper from Suraj Shaw's yard helped Suraj record a nourishing double powering through to score in resplendent style. Edmund gained the runner-up berth ahead of Authentic Bell, while the topweighted Choice raced in patches and only managed to complete the frame. 

Shaw earlier led in the public choice Empire Of Dreams, a deserving winner of the opening event, the Cauvery River Handicap run over a sprint. The winner was piloted by the promising five-kilo claimer N Darshan. Second in demand at the betting ring, Maduva Thalaivi finished second ahead of Black Label. who appears to have improved and it will pay to keep an eye on this Fahad trainee in the weeks ahead. 

The pipping hot favourite Star Aristocracy from Robert Foley's yard proved too good for her six rivals in the N Srinivasan Memorial Trophy run over a distance of six furlongs. A confident Farid Ansari astride the winner bided his time before timing his final challenge to a nicety. Star Aristocracy is in good heart and is set to provide an encore. 

The Deepesh Narredu-trained Giant King and the Fahad Khan schooled Rise Again piloted by top gun Trevor Patel topped the betting board in the Enats Cup run over a mile. But the strongly nominated `Jodi' flopped and the 30 to one long shot Ruling Star it was who made every post a winning one to the surprise of railbirds, while his much fancied stablemate was not in the picture. Key To The Mint who had dropped a bombshell on the Derby-day did well to gain the second spot pointing out that his last effort on Pongal day was no flash in the pan. Rise Gain too didn't perform to expectations though the Fahad ward managed to save money in place.