Punters lost out big on Saturday. A solitary on-money favourite Avener from the stables of the leading Mumbai-based trainer Adhiraj Singh Jodha and one well supported second choice, Hushed from Lokanath Gowda's yard justified the confidence of their supporters, while the four other top public choices bit the dust much to disappointment of all the favourite players, who walked home with a hole in the pocket, while the bookmakers laughed all the way to the banks. 

After failing to justify favouritism in his last effort, finishing second behind Star Glory in his last essay, the Rajesh Narredu-trained Global Influence again was fancied most in the Nawab M Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup, the plum event run over a distance of seven furlongs and the strongly supported public choice in his attempt to make every post a winning one surrendered the advantage before the race came on a boil and finished down the field. Later, it was officially announced  that the Rajesh Narredu ward suffered from a cardiac arrest and passed away after completing the event. The seven to one shot Xanthe from the stables of Sulaiman Attaollahi piloted in determined fashion by Hindu Singh edged out her stablemate, the second in demand at the betting ring Kalamitsi, while Mandarino, who slowly, yet surely is regaining the form and fitness finished third ahead of last start winner Star Glory. 

In the principal added attraction, the Brig. RCR Hill Memorial Trophy run over a distance of nine furlongs, the Darius Byramji schooled Maana and the Mumbai hopeful Youremanorborne from trainer Pradeep Chouhan's yard headed the betting board. The highly fancied `Jodi'  quickly went out of the window and it was the `Jodi' of the two Ganapathy brothers, Karthik and Aravind, who dominated the finish, the lesser fancied Caccini from elder brother Karthik's yard gaining the day, pegging back the gallant effort of the Aravind schooled Moonstar. The Darius trainee Maana only managed to complete the frame, while Youremanorborn, it was clear needed this lung-opener. 

In what appeared a very open affair, the five to one shot Versace from MR Singh's yard reigned supreme in the Santorini Star Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner in the hands of apprentice jockey Laxman Singh donkey-licked her 11 rivals including the top two public choices, Irfan Ghatala-trained Stella Maris and the Sajid Qureshi schooled Vafadar. Long shot Legendary Impact followed the winner home ahead of the public choice, while Vafadar failed to save money in place, the five-kilo claimer Mohd Talib needlessly choosing to shift out and make his run on the wide outside which cost him dearly at end, Vafadar finishing a close fifth in a cluster finish. 

A facile last start winner Solara from Sulaiman's yard was backed to the exclusion of her eight rivals in the upper division of the Rare Gem Plate and the on-money favourite flopped badly and finished a tame third. Six to one shot Sapporo from Irfan Ghatala's yard produced a stunning gallop in the hand of the in-form apprentice Pavan to snuff out the challenge of another rank outsider Carat Love from Vishesh's yard, close home. The runner-up now appears to have found his galloping shoes and it will pay to support him next time out. 

The lower division of the event saw the Lokanath schooled Hushed, who had impressed most while finishing an eye-catching third in her last essay outwit the top fancy Lightning Blitz and the topweighted Zayana and romp home a deserving winner in the hands of Ashad Asbar who is enjoying a good stint his summer. 

Avener on the strength of his blazing performances in the morning trials was touted a `moral certainty' in the opening event, the Ascot Plate and the short-priced favourite (60/100) provided leading pro Sandesh his maiden success this season without working up an ounce of sweat. Exotic Black followed the smart winner home and this Irfan trainee will shed her maiden success the day she is campaigned over a longer course. Burevestnik again finished third, his fourth third place finish from as many starts.