An astute decision of trainer Leo D’Silva to declare a 3.5kg claimer apprentice to guide the fortunes of his ward Glorious Power for the first time this season, proved to be a smart one as the filly went on to claim the Be My Guest Plate, Tuesday’s feature event. Glorious Power was pitted against four in-form horses – Exclusive Black, Clara, Crimson Flame and My Challenge, all having returned victorious in their previous attempt. In contrast, the D’Silva trainee had not succeeded for over a year and was apparently lesser fancied against them. But the scales favoured Glorious Power and the chestnut filly made it count on this occasion. Challenger enjoyed a narrow lead over top-weighted Exclusive Black when the field of eleven jumped out for the six-furlong contest before the latter took control as they turned for home. Imran Chisty drove Exclusive Black vigorously in the straight in his bid to shrug off the threat posed mainly by Crimson Flame and Normui. Exclusive Black evaded Crimson Flame but could not repel Glorious Power’s attack as apprentice Sonu Kumar brought the chestnut filly with a terrific burst of speed from the top of the home stretch. Glorious Power (Shifting Power – Glorious Hymn) wore down Exclusive Black following a brief tussle and sailed away for an impressive win. Clara warmed up late and finished third ahead of Crimson Flame. My Challenge, who ended fifth, ran into a wall of horses at a crucial stage which ruined his chances.
 
Sonu Kumar, who lost his 5kg handicap claim and became eligible to carry a whip after his success astride Runlikethewind a week ago, had the best day of his career thus far having achieved a cent percent result with his three engagements. The young lad steered his first winner through Colt Pistol, who started off as the prime favourite before his odds went southwards and Eminency caught the betting market’s fancy. Classy Dame ran in the front as usual and stayed put until Trust Me slipped through the inner rails with Cosmico also joining the fray. While Trust Me and Cosmico battled it out, G. Shashikanth-groomed Colt Pistol (Saamidd – Faustina) came flying on the outside to cruise ahead and score a stylish win immediately on relegation. Cosmico retained the second position ahead of late-finishing Shubrak whilst Trust Me retired to the fourth spot. Eminency ran like a dud to finish off the judges’ board.
 
Sonu Kumar completed a treble atop Blue Pantheress, who gave her master Shashikanth the second winner of the day. Inderdhanush took a fluent jump to hit the front while Blue Pantheress was slow to start and was whipped to join the pack at the rear. Blue Pantheress (Sanus Per Aquam – Ripple of Pride), though taken wide at the turn by Briar Ridge, unleashed a brilliant run to overwhelm the leader in the last furlong and lengthened her strides to post a comfortable win. Inderdhanush took the runner-up berth, just ahead of Lights On whilst favourite Briar Ridge ran a tame fourth.
 
Jockey Akshay Kumar achieved a back-to-back double starting with Bestie in the Beloved Prince Plate (Div-II), a seven-furlong event reserved for maiden juveniles. Trevor Patel took second favourite Sharanga on a pillar to post mission but wilted under pressure that came from the on-money favourite Bestie from K. Satheesh’s string. After racing third behind Sharanga and Konaseema till entering the straight, Akshay went flat out on Bestie (French Navy – Providence) before gaining the upper hand over Sharanga in the last hundred metres. Konaseema and Moonlite Rose ran third and fourth respectively.
 
Swiss Girl was eased into the lead by K. Mukesh Kumar as the field took off for the six-furlong journey for the Land of Glory Plate (Div-II) whilst SSF Hassan-trained Top In Class was under pressure right from the word go. Swiss Girl refused to surrender and fought it out with Top In Class (Top Class – Bella), who was hard ridden by Akshay to improve along the way and eventually prevail over his rival by half length in the closing stages of the race. Smart Boy ended third after chasing Swiss Girl into the home stretch whilst Golden Inzio finished fourth.
 
G. Sandeep-saddled Fortune Art justified the favouritism in the Star of Gwalior Plate, the day’s curtain raiser and a ‘no-whip’ event for horses from the lowest class. Ashhad Asbar-piloted Fortune Art (Royal Gladiator – Beucaire) showed plenty of speed to storm into the lead and was never headed thereafter over the six-furlong trip. Runner-up Flashing Memories and Torrentina chased the winner in vain throughout and followed the winner home with Grey Sky in tow.
 
State Man, who had been knocking at the doors of success for far too long, graduated from the maiden ranks with a convincing win in the Beloved Prince Plate (Div-I). Magan Singh Parmar-schooled State Man was ridden in check by Mukesh Kumar as he could not get a clear run towards the rails as Victoria Bella raced in the front with Gusto’s Baby in pursuit. As the field closed in on the leaders, Mukesh inspired State Man to take the narrow gap and surged ahead after a brief tussle with Gusto’s Baby inside the last two furlongs. State Man (Dali – Annie Oakley) soon stepped up his speed and sailed clear of Arizona Sun, who improved to beat Gusto’s Baby for the second place whilst Trevor-partnered joint-favourite La Fleuriere, who failed to live up to the promise shown in her previous effort, ended a dismal fourth.