In a performance that was nothing but stunning, the Dallas Todywalla-schooled filly Noraiah literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Southern Command Gold Trophy on Sunday. Unlike slow-beginner Manuel, Snow Girl was swift to take the lead ahead of Tempo and Skybound at the start. David and Noraiah followed the three outsiders while El Nino raced behind accompanied by Loyal Lover and Manuel. Noraiah curiously started losing pace before approaching the final bend and found herself at the tail end of the field. Snow Girl entered the straight first even as David, El Nino, and Manuel inched closer. to the leader. Meanwhile, Antony-ridden Noraiah regained momentum but had to skirt the wall of horses ahead when trying to launch her assault. While Noraiah started to devour ground, Snow Girl wilted under pressure when David, El Nino, and Manuel ranged alongside less than hundred metres from the wire. Just as Kirtish Bhagat astride Pesi Shroff-saddled favourite Manuel gained the upper hand, Noraiah (Excellent Art – Nora) came flying on the wide outside to breeze past the post, leaving the trio distraught. Manuel had to settle for the second place, while El Nino finished third ahead of David. The Poonawalla Stud-bred Noraiah is owned by Mr Geoffrey Nagpal and Mrs Charonne Nagpal.

PS Chouhan-trained Youremanorborne was expected to make amends for her expensive failure last month in the Star Future Plate. The filly, however, failed yet again. After leading almost all the way over the mile and a quarter journey, Ashhad Asbar-piloted Youremanorborne was a spent force when confronted by Endurance in the straight. Imtiaz Sait-nurtured Endurance (Speaking of Which – Supreme Princess), who had improved steadily from the rear, found an easy victim in the favourite as he strode out fluently after Yash Narredu spurred him persistently and settled the issue inside the last furlong. Bubbly Boy ended faraway in third while Golden Dancer ran below expectations when finishing fourth. 

Azaadi, also saddled by Chouhan, also flopped later in the Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw Memorial Trophy (Div-I). Expected to carry her Bangalore winning form, Azaadi was the on-money favourite to win over the six-furlong trip. Santana Row and Organised Chaos disputed the lead right from the word go and were inseparable until close home. Azaadi, though racing prominently behind, failed to quicken. Meanwhile, C. Umesh-steered Ensky (Surfrider – Light) unleashed a terrific run to pounce upon the leaders. The Faisal Abbas trainee was simply unstoppable as she wore down Organised Chaos for an upset win while Santana Row got shunted to third. Azaadi ran a poor fourth.

Chouhan found some succour in the successful outing of Staria, a disappointment herself in both her previous run but fitted with a visor on this occasion. Lucky Diamond sped to the front and made the initial running with Mother's Gift, Sir Churchill, and Staria not far behind. With Mothers Gift and Sir Churchill unable to make headway, Staria (Win Legend – Sitara) went full throttle when Antony switched lanes and sailed clear of Lucky Diamond, who latched on to the runner-up position. Mila managed to beat Lord Murphy for the third spot with a belated effort.

Yash Narredu completed a double aboard Shroff-mentored Mahogany (Phoenix Tower – Maisha) in the September Handicap. Chilton Lodge embarked on a pillar to post mission when the five juveniles set sail for the mile journey and had Wise Approach in chase while Mahogany and Victory Flair ridden off the pace behind. As Chilton Lodge packed up after showing the way to her rivals into the home stretch, Victory Flair assumed command even as Yash atop Mahogany was searching for an opening. Once she got a clear run, Mahogany sprang forth and got up just in time to overwhelm Victory Flair near the winning post. The Olive Crown progressed in the straight to finish third after Chilton Lodge and Wise Approach dropped back.

Top-weighted Alexios, trained by Sanjay Kolse, displayed a splendid turn of foot down the straight when alerted to his task by Antony and went on to humble Casspian in the Spearhead Plate. Earlier, Casspian dictated the terms over the mile and a quarter trip but lacked stamina and folded up when challenged by Alexios (Top Class – Miss Pariel). Well-fancied Age of Reason warmed up late to finish third ahead of Land of Plenty. Enrich also had smart money coming his way but he failed to live up to the expectations and ran off the board. 

Malesh Narredu-groomed Abhyankar (Planetaire – Conscience) registered an encore, going wire-to-wire in the Col. Kaikhushroo Maneckji Bharucha Memorial Trophy, a mile event. Tajiri, Black Thunder, and Sixty Four Squares took the minor places behind the winner. Favourite Savage Peacock ran below par and could not figure in the frame.

Rank outsider She's A Teaser (Planetaire – Aahaygran) also won start-to-finish in the first race warding off Sky Full of Stars) towards the final stages of the five-furlong scurry. Trail Blazer ran third while House of Lords finished fourth. Pre-race favourite Bravo Zulu was withdrawn at the gates.