Punters easily had the measure of bookmakers as the seven-race card saw all the fancied horses, barring for The Flutist in the concluding event, running true to their expectations. Narendra Lagad-groomed Storm Cloud started the rout for the bookies as he easily accounted for his eight opponents in the opening event. Entrusted in the hands of C. Umesh, Storm Cloud (Leitir Mor – Priceless Art) embarked on a start-to-finish mission over the five-furlong scurry and won untroubled all the way. Arbitrage, Maratha Admiral and Flashman followed the winner home.
 
The next five events were shared by Trevor Patel and A. Sandesh and their fans were simply overjoyed to see them delivering rich rewards. The three-year old Neutralist, after lying at the rear till the final bend, unleashed a brilliant run down the straight to bag the Altaf Hussain Million, the day’s feature event. Neutralist, who had a good solitary run on debut at Bangalore recently, failed to get a favourable position as the field took off over the six-furlong sprint but that did not stop him from seeking glory. Absolute Gorgeous and Red Mist headed the field with Maysara, Zendaya, Surrealist and Johnny Mac running close behind. Absolute Gorgeous was still in command as she brought the field into the straight and with none of those in pursuit making any significant progress, the stage was set for Neutralist to make his presence felt. Trevor got into the groove astride Neutralist (Planetaire – Nuray) as soon as the heads turned for home and the chestnut colt unleashed a devouring run to sweep past Zendaya and the rest to enable his master, Aman Hussain, to proudly lead the winner in the event sponsored in his late father’s memory. Silver Strike, who trailed the field almost all the way, came with a late charge to finish second, a shade ahead of Cinderella’s Dream whilst Zendaya took the fourth berth. Second-in-demand Charlie Brown ended in the rut after running green during the race and then veering out at the turn.
 
Just a fortnight after he registered his second career success, Dallas Todywalla-saddled Lord Eric achieved an encore after receiving a confident ride from Trevor. Lord Eric (Roderic O’Connor – Isn’t She Lovely) stayed on the haunches of leader Escape Velocity till approaching the grandstands and then slipped into the lead after receiving a couple of backhanders. Escape Velocity finished runner-up with Betsy staying in the money ahead of Applause.
 
Trevor completed a treble with Encino in the penultimate race of the day after the Nirad Karanjawala-saddled debutant showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals. Tuned to the moment, Encino went out as an on-money favourite in field of thirteen and he caused no anxiety among his followers as he took control of the running soon after the six-furlong event was flagged off. Trevor had Encino (Gusto – Choice House) racing on the bit till the field was homeward bound and then released his grip on the favourite. Encino increased the tempo thereafter and cantered away for a facile win over Foxy, Legacy and Don Julio.
 
Karanjawala had earlier led in Zafferano who graduated from the maiden ranks in the August Handicap. Zafferano was settled in the mid bunch by A. Sandesh as Allez E’etoile shot into the lead and had Merlet, Tropical Paradise in pursuit. As Allez E’etoile shifted out at the turn, Zafferano got a clear run towards the rails and Sandesh quickly pounced upon the opportunity. Zafferano (Kingda Ka – Auburn) surged into the lead and thwarted Merlet’s attempt to collar him. Allez E’etoile retained the third spot just in front of Solidarity, who probably needed this run.
 
Sandesh, earlier in the day, steered The Milenium Force to an emphatic win in the JK1 Play & Win August Trophy. Pradeep Chouhan-schooled The Milenium Force was ridden off the pace over the mile trip as Substantial decided to call the early shots with Treat and Bugatti deciding to give chase. Sandesh put The Milenium Force into top gear as the field swung in for home and urged his mount to take the gap between Substantial, Treat and Bugatti. The Milenium Force (Air Support – Sovetskaya) zoomed ahead and had the race sewn up a long way away from the winning line. Eaton Square ran on late to take the second slot whilst Substantial just about managed to keep Mansa Musa at bay for the third place.
 
Eleven-year old The Flutist (Burden of Proof – Angel Child) stormed into the lead in the last race of the day and relished running in the front, which helped him earn his corn bill. Jockey A. Prakash kept the Himmat Singh-nursed gelding on course to victory and won comfortably from late-finishing Ma Cherie, Continental Drift and favourite Oh Kay following him home.