Fancied most after he finished a game second behind the top ranked sprinter Money Bags despite a saddle slip, Shamrock from the stables of Satish Narredu produced a quality effort in the hands of top gun Suraj Narredu to emerge the new Maharaja. The star performer, who enjoys a high 50 percent success rate, winning 15 races, including many plums from his 30 career starts before his top effort on Friday, added one more to his distinguished list and all credit to Satish and Suraj, who has successfully partnered this unsung hero in many premier racing centres. 

African Gold and Efficacy cut the wind and called the shots for most part of the mile long Maharaja's Cup before the two leaders shot their bolt at the top of the straight and when the race came on a boil, Suraj and Shamrock assumed command and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Second in demand at the betting ring, Prokofiev followed the leader home ahead of Once You Go Black, who was seen finishing on fastest at end and it will pay to support this James ward in the weeks ahead. 

The topweighted Regal Aristocracy, another runner from James' yard and the local hopeful Sands Of Dubai who had won his last start in style topped the betting board in the Alekona Trophy. But much to the disappointment of all the big bettors, the jugalbandi and the `Jodi' failed to deliver. The five to one shot Dynamic Force brilliantly piloted by Akshay Kumar gained the day, snuffing out the challenge of Regal Aristocracy, while the local hopeful Sands Of Dubai after racing prominently all through the mile long journey disappeared the moment the heat was on in the race to the wire. 

After Mriga from Prithviraj's yard chose to opt out in the concluding event, the upper division of the Valaroso Plate run over a sprint, money came pouring in on Sunway Lagoon, who had impressed most while finishing second behind Lords Grace in his last start. The Surender ward piloted by five-kilo claimer Laxman Singh justified the confidence of his supporters making every post a winning one without really breaking sweat. Misty Warrior followed the winner home ahead of Secret Shadow, while Royal Chivalry, fancied strongly in place, missed the bus, only managing to complete the frame. 

Earlier the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Sicyon produced a top effort in the Urs Kar Trophy, outclassing his 11 rivals in the hands of Shreyas Singh. This was the best performance of the day and Sulaiman deserves all credit to get Sicyon back at his best after a couple of below par efforts before he won his last start in a close finish in the Bangalore summer season. Now with a new spring in his stride Sicyon is set to make his presence against the best in the month ahead. The Prasanna Kumar-trained Flight On garnered the maximum support, but on this day none could match the ability and speed of Sicyon and the public choice had to rest content with the runner-up berth. 

Printhviraj opened his account this season in style, the heavily backed Money Fair proving too good in the Sri C Sashachalam Memorial Trophy. The winner confidently piloted by Pradeep tracked the two front runners, Mystic Charm and Chief Admiral for most part of the seven furlongs before Pradeep eased his iron-grip on the on-money favourite and the Prithviraj trainee responding gamely to his master's call powered through to romp home a deserving winner. Money Fair is in good nick and is set to provide an encore. 

Advantageously placed in at the scales, Satin Lass from Somashekar's yard showed a clean pair of heels to her nine rivals in the lower division of the Valaroso Plate. The winner despite shifting out at the all-important end won be a widening margin of five lenghts and on the strength of this performance is tipped to score again when saddled next. Knotty In Blue in his attempt to make every post a winning post found Satin Lass too hot to handle and had to settle with the runner-up berth. 

The lesser fancied Alluring Beauty to the delight of trainer Rakesh came good in the opener, pegging back the favourite Brocston. Looking For a Ladoo, who was fancied by the Mandanna camp to score in this mediocre set only managed to finish third ahead of Gentleman's Word, who has only won once from his 32 career starts.