The followers of form couldn't have asked for anything better on the eve of the prestigious Maharaja's Gold Cup. Five well-backed favourites and one well fancied second choice Thundering Phoenix stormed into the winners' circle to the delight of the punters, who enjoyed the better of exchanges in the bookmakers ring on a satisfying Saturday. 

Thrill Of Brazil from the stables of Sajid Qureshi's yard set the trend. The overwhelming favourite, who had impressed most, finishing an impressive third in his last essay, half a length behind the runner-up Sassy Sarah, who earned her cornbill last week, in a pulse-pounding finish edged out the lesser fancied Ksepiman much to the relief of all the big bettors who fancied the Sajid trainee to score in the opening event run over a distance of nine furlongs. The extended trip, it must be mentioned suited Thrill Of Brazil most and all credit to her pilot Jagadeesh, who matched the in-form G Vivek guiding the fortunes of Ksepiman. The public choice according to most old hats in the game would have won the race in the Stewards room even if she had lost the `nose' verdict, considering the fact that Ksepiman had bumped the winner twice at the all-important end before the two flashed past the post locked together. The topweighted Wolf Creek from James McKeown's yard raced in patches and only managed to save money in place. 

The Padmanabhan-trained Miracle Star looked head and shoulders above her seven rivals in the Fire Haven Plate run over a mile. But surprisingly the price on the public rage alarmingly kept going up and up and soon the half money favourite was quoted at double the price. Most big bettors, who were ready to invest big at (50/100) chose to hold their horses and eventually refrained from placing their bets, while the brave and bold trusted the Padmanabhan ward to shed her maiden status in this moderate set. Leading saddle artiste Trevor Patel produced a exemplary effort on the winner, racing nice and easy all through the backstretch before timing his final challenge to a nicety in the final furlong. Machiavellian from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard followed the winner home ahead of the Rajesh Narredu schooled Star Studded. 

The Narayan Gowda camp landed a successful coup on Stravinsky in the lower division of the Basque Plate run over a sprint. The run-away winner was heavily backed, (12/10) closing after opening second favourite behind Resplendence. The smart big money on Stravinsky only indicated that the Narayan Gowda camp is in business. And soon all the supporters were seen running to the payment counters the moment Stravinsky zoomed past Resplendence to put the race to bed  more than a furlong from home. Long shot Super Kind finished on purposefully at end to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Mega Success, while Resplendence only managed to complete the frame. 

The upper division of the event saw top choice Eastern Gold from Darius Byramji's yard bite the dust much to the chagrin of the big punters who fancied her strongly to score in this mediocre set. In her attempt to make every post a winning one in the hands of Akshay Kumar, the public choice failed to snuff out the challenge of the six to one shot Felisa, who provided the promising apprentice Pavan his second win of the season. Advantageously placed at the scales, Royal Deccan from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard, who was fancied in place did well to finish third ahead of last start winner Master Way. 

In what on paper was tipped as a two-horse race, the topweighted Star Serenade from Rajesh Narredu's yard and NRI Jetpower from the stables of Sajid topped the betting board in the Skyline Plate. And true to form the two dominated the finish, Star Serenade at end in the hands of RN Darshan pegging back the challenge of NRI Jetpower partnered by Ryan Ahmed. The MR Singh-trained Chinky Pinky too had her share of followers, but she found the first two too hot to handle and had to rest content with the third spot ahead of Quevega who was never in the hunt.  

Another firm favourite Fortunate Son from MK Jadhav's yard justified his rating and ranking, making every post a winning one in the Veterinarian's Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. Prashanth Dhebe astride the market leader produced a confident effort, comfortably hanging onto the advantage gained at the distance post. Crosswater finished a creditable second ahead of the second in demand at the betting ring, Armory while the Neil Darashah-trained True Faith caught the eye finishing a suggestive fourth and is one for the notebook. 

After a good lung-opener, the Adhirajsingfh Jodha schooled Thundering Phoenix detonated his six rivals in the DM Kumaraswamy Memorial Trophy run over a mile. Leading pro Antony Raj chose to play the waiting game, gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the mile long journey before he setalight Thundering Phoenix at the top of the straight and the game galloper produced an astounding turn of foot to romp home an emphatic winner. The favourite Elfin Knight from the stables of Darius Byramji continued to disappoint, finishing a poor third behind Gordon. Thundering Phoenix is at the top of his game and it will pay to again support him when next saddled.