KSV Prasad Raju's ward Cherie Chevalier, who came across one better in Northern Waves on last week, had his say in the N. Nari Reddy Memorial Million, Sunday's main event run over six furlongs. Pacific Heights was swiftly off  from the blocks and had a runaway lead when coming into the straight with Walking Thunder, Misty Night and Turiya in pursuit. Pacific Heights held the advantage till surrendering to Walking Thunder inside the last furlong but before the latter could assume command, P. Sai Kumar-ridden Cherie Chevalier, after biding his time in the mid-bunch, flashed on to the scene with a lightning run in final run-in. Cherie Chevalier (Leitir Mor – Mauna Kea) instantly swooped down on Walking Thunder and sailed away for an authoritative victory. Walking Thunder retained the runner- up position with Turiya managing to stay third, a neck ahead of fast-finishing Star Envied.

The day’s proceedings started on a tragic note which saw jockey Md. Ismail-astride Philodendron suffering a nasty fall during the running of the first division of the Olympic Plate, a six-furlong sprint for three-year old maiden juveniles. Philodendron surged into the lead shortly after the start and raced keenly as the field had covered the first half of the journey. Tragedy struck when the horses were approaching the final turn as Ismail came a cropper after Philodendron broke down. Santosh Raj-piloted longshot Her Ladyship from Donald Netto’s stables, who was tracking the leader, slipped into the lead and encountered no trouble enroute her maiden victory. La Fleuriere ran on to take the runner-up position ahead of Senti and Sound Wave. Although jockey Ismail has escaped with a minor injury whereas Philodendron had to be euthanized on compassionate grounds. 
 
Before the punters could recover from the shocking outcome of the opening event, rank outsider Mexican Wave delivered another blow in the lower division of the Olympic Flame Plate. Earlier, Leo D'Silva-schooled filly Petaluma, stablemate of favourite Gusto's Baby and available at longer odds, went on a wire-to-wire mission with Quick Bay Fox trying to match strides with the filly whilst Mexican Wave racing towards the rails and Alex Rosario-driven Gusto's Baby searching for her rhythm. As Quick Bay Fox started his retreat at the final bend, RS Jodha brought Mexican Wave alongside Petaluma and soon engaged her in a fierce duel. K. Satheesh-nursed Mexican Wave (David Livingston – Daisy Duke) got stronger at the finish as Jodha dug into the reserves of the filly and necked out Petaluma near the winning post. Gusto's Baby never seemed to be in the hunt as she was seen plodding throughout the final stretch and finished a poor third, over six lengths away from Petaluma while Konaseema ran further four lengths down.

Backed to the exclusion of his seven opponents in the Shravan Kumar Memorial Cup (Div-II), Born Brave gave no anxious moments to the moneybags at any stage during his six furlong expedition, which provided Netto his second winner. Born Brave (Arod – Swiss Eagle) was eased into the lead by Kuldeep Singh (Sr.) as soon as the starter's flag came down and the Netto trainee was in no danger of being caught thereafter. Romantic Grey made a brief and futile attempt to threaten Born Brave and had to be content playing the bridesmaid in the end. Mix The Magic woke up when the winner was home and dry and ran a distant third ahead of Knotty Senorita.

China Town was placed to win by trainer Ananta Vatsalya in the mile-long MCEME Rolling Trophy and the six-year justified the faith reposed in him by scoring a stylish win. Armstrong flexed his muscles by dictating the terms early into the race but, as the field turned for home, it emerged that there was no intent involved in his effort. K. Mukesh Kumar immediately hustled Coming Home to the fore and had a handy lead in the straight. As NRI Ultrapower and Armstrong had all but given up, China Town started warming up from the rear and was full of running when he ranged alongside Coming Home opposite the stands. Ajeeth Kumar guided China Town (Chinese Whisper – Fury) soon breezed past the favourite for an impressive win. Coming Home, NRI Ultrapower and Armstrong took the minor places behind the winner.

D'Silva also achieved a winning brace through Miss Marvellous and Calistoga, both handled confidently by apprentice Shivansh. Swiss Girl and City Cruise led the field whilst the aged mare Miss Marvellous though unable to keep pace with the leaders moved up places with a steady run to be in a striking position at the top of the straight. Shivansh soon spurred Miss Marvellous (Crimson China – Gamay Beaujolias) into the lead and won unopposed all the way in the Rajah RJK Ranga Rao Memorial Trophy (Div-I). Smart Boy finished on to take the second berth with Char Ek Char also making a late entry to be a close third, a length ahead of D Battle.

Calistoga, second in demand only to Knight Crusader, showed plenty of early speed to take charge of running from the gates in the Shravan Kumar Memorial Cup (Div-I) and showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals. Newfound Glory chased the leader and had High Heels and Knight Crusader in close attendance. Ajeeth Kumar tried to bring Knight Crusader into contention in the home stretch but the Hilton Sequeira trainer refused to put his best foot forward and flopped badly when letting down a large following. Calistoga (Dali – Abdicate) won quite convincingly while Knight Crusader only managed to run third as High Heels took the second spot while NRI Dheera completed the frame of four.

G. Shashikant-groomed Blue Pantheress show good improvement over her previous effort in the concluding race to justify the enthusiastic backing she received in the betting ring. Path of Peace showed the way to the field with Pancho in chase while Blue Pantheress was ridden well off the pace by Ajeeth. Pancho tackled Path of Peace soon after crossing the two-furlong marker and took control of the running. However, he failed to counter the onslaught unleashed by Blue Pantheress (Sanus Per Aquam – Ripple of Pride), who went on taste success after a year and half. Pancho had to be content with the second place, well ahead of Power Ranger and Desert Sultan who followed him home.