Making only the fourth appearance of his career, the Neelesh Rawal-schooled colt Hanumanmahabala produced a robust performance when trouncing his opponents in Monday’s feature event, the Raja Mahboob Karan Memorial Trophy. Backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals, Hanumanmahabala lay unconcerned in the mid-bunch as Kalki shot to the front, ahead of Home Run and Prince of Wales, while Hanumanmahabala stayed close behind. As soon as the field entered the straight, Hanumanmahabala (Planetaire – Simply Sweet) brushed aside Super Splash’s threat and strode resolutely to the front. The Neeraj Rawal-ridden bay colt then cantered home for an authoritative win over runner-up Home Run, who finished a short-head in front of Stars Envied and Feel The Magic, who dead-heated for the third place. Second favourite Prince of Wales, ridden by Antony Raj, gave an ordinary performance and ended off the judges’ board.
 
You Tuber from K. Satheesh’s barns was the only other clear favourite to oblige in the seven-race card. Aquatone established a big lead soon after jumping out of the starting stalls and showed the way to Zorba, Gold Touch, and You Tuber who were spread out behind. Coming into the straight, Zorba tackled Aquatone and flattered briefly before being collared by Akshay Kumar-ridden You Tuber inside the last furlong and a half. Ridden vigorously by Akshay, You Tuber (French Navy – Saporelli) kicked on gamely to record an encore, easily beating runner-up Zorba. After a lethargic start, Master Class recovered to finish third ahead of Aquatone, who ended a distant fourth.
 
Trainer Raza Shehzad pulled off a well-planned coup, winning both divisions of the Green Haven Plate at the start of the day. After a successful weight-reducing mission that began at the start of the previous winter season, the maiden five-year-old mare Amboseli struck gold for her connections. Amboseli took off smartly from the gates and showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals, who appeared more like spectators than serious contestants. Sugriva, with Mohit Singh in the saddle, trailed the field till entering the straight and woke up from his slumber only after Amboseli (Dali – Kabini) had wrapped up the race. Favourite Iconic Star plodded to finish third ahead of Exclusive Luck.
 
Marissa, sporting the same colours as Amboseli, showed good initial speed to grab the lead and won as she liked in the hands of P. Uday Kiran. Marissa (Air Support – Sneaky Fair) lengthened her strides in the home stretch, beating favourite Star Councillor fair and square. Way behind the runner-up ended Niloufer The Great, who was well clear of Mirzeta. Hopewell Island languished in the rear throughout and finished last.
 
Ravinder Singh-trained Ashwa Jaffna, who had placed in all her three outings this season, improved well to graduate from the maiden ranks in the Medak Plate. Gaurav Singh did well to overcome the widest draw and brought Ashwa Jaffna to race on the heels of no-hoper Lion’s Pride, who made the initial running. Driven powerfully by Gaurav, Ashwa Jaffna (Moonlight Magic – Attalea) kicked clear in the final furlong and was home and dry before heavily-punished Grit N Grace could find her rhythm. Rank outsider Kinship finished strongly towards the end to be third while Aakarshaka ran fourth. Most fancied runners in this wide-open race never seemed to be in the hunt.
 
The 15 to 1 longshot Foxy Girl scored a narrow win in a tantalising finish in the Red Surprise Plate, a six-furlong sprint for Class III horses. Mystic Dawn hit the front as the field of sixteen jumped out of the gates while Foxy Girl was quickly up in second and Diligence close to the inner rails in third. These three front-runners were in a line about a furlong and half from the winning post where Imran Chisty astride Foxy Girl shifted in on to Mystic Dawn, who had already squeezed out Diligence from the fray. As Srinivas Reddy-schooled Foxy Girl took charge, NS Parmar-driven State Man came flying in the last furlong, but it was too late. Foxy Girl (Well Done Fox – Secret Pursuit) lasted out to win by just half a length. Mystical Dawn did well to stay in the third place while Sapporo ran a close fourth. The first nine horses to finish on the judges’ board ran very close to each other.
 
Inderdhanush sprinted ahead as the ten runners took off from the barriers after the on-money favourite was withdrawn at the gates. Inderdhanush held the advantage over both Aos Si and Golden Unicorn as they drew closer inside the last two furlongs but failed to sustain. Aos Si under the powerful riding of Antony gained the upper hand and was being hailed as a winner close home when the late burst of P. Sai Kumar-partnered Golden Unicorn (Fiero – Tigris) toppled him on the winning post. Sadiya and Winning Attitude both improved from the rear to take the other two minor places.