Having failed to keep his winning streak after losing in both his previous outings, Perception returned to the winner’s enclosure with a thumping victory in the Turf Authorities of India Trophy, the supporting event on the Derby day. Robin Reddy-mentored Perception raced keenly in the mile endeavour, but Akshay Kumar had him under control as Uchchaihshravas showed the way to the six-horse field, with High Command in close attendance. Uchchaihshravas entered the home stretch first even as Perception was stirred into action by Akshay. Trevor Patel also tried to make headway, however, once Perception (Sedgefield – Providence) got into his stride, the race was as good as over a furlong away from the wire. Reddy’s money-spinner won convincingly over Uchchaihshravas, who held on to the runner-up berth by a neck from Knight Crusader. High Command ran fourth.
 
Although he could not guide Star of Opera to victory, Akshay went on to complete a double astride Ek in the Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy. Ek, who played the role of bridesmaid in her last two starts, was installed as the favourite and the filly trained by Magan Singh Parmar did not disappoint. Ek jumped out fluently from the widest stall to take over running in this no-whip event and Akshay kept the filly focussed on her task as she evaded Diligence and Dubai Touch in the last furlong. Ek (Dreamfield – Ans Ans Ans) reached the winning post before stablemate Catchme If You Can, who came from the tail end of the field to finish an eye-catching second. Dubai Touch and Diligence finished close behind.
 
Akshay was entrusted with Star of Opera, the filly from Donald Netto’s yard who had an impressive career record and thus highly fancied to win the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (Div-I). However, Netto’s “doosra” Ayushman played party-pooper, beating Star of Opera by a head. Star of Opera went straight down to business when the gates flew open, but was soon joined on the outside by Ayushman, who ranged alongside the favourite at the two-furlong marker. The pair then fought stride for stride, going hammer and tong until the Afroz Khan-steered Ayushman (Dreamfield – On Fleek) upset Star of Opera’s applecart on the post. High Speed Dive, who finished a length behind in third, made a gallant effort in the final furlong as he inched closer with every stride, however, the younger lot proved to be superior. State Man ran a tame fourth, a head in front of Walking Thunder, who refused to put his best foot forward yet again.
 
Jockey Antony Raj had three engagements during the day including two hot favourites, Pledge and Excalibur. Much to the chagrin of his fans, Antony failed on all three mounts. The humiliating losses suffered by the two favourites caused immense heartburn to the punters. Antony showed no hesitation in taking top-weighted Pledge to the front over the mile journey for the Madras Race Club Trophy, while Pristine Glory was in close pursuit. When the race came to a boil, Pristine Glory challenged Pledge, who tried to sustain his lead, with Trevor Patel-ridden One Nation improving steadily to join them in the last hundred metres. The three horses were soon engaged in a fierce battle, which culminated in Hilton Sequeira-schooled One Nation (Universal – Storm At Dawn) prevailing in a three-way finish. Pristine Glory ran second ahead of Pledge. The three runners were separated by a neck each. Bholi Punjaban finished a distant fourth.
 
LVR Deshmukh-saddled Excalibur was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the Mysore Race Club Trophy (Div-I), the day’s concluding event. War Captain gave a speedy display to take over the running when the start was given and had Dontblockmyway in close attendance, while Excalibur ran fourth behind Coming Home. Apprentice Sonu Kumar astride MF Ali Khan-saddled Dontblockmyway (Shifting Power – Aquitania) overhauled War Captain soon after the heads turned for home and kicked away, staving off Excalibur’s desperate bid to catch him. Coming Home ran faraway in third ahead of Photograph, who was a distant fourth.
 
Earlier in the day, G. Naresh steered Robin Reddy’s ward Rani Ruckus, beating favourite Sunny Day with a determined effort. Take A Breath showed the way to the field in the initial stages of the mile trip for the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, while Secret Option, Only My Way, and Sunny Day followed him. Asbar-piloted Sunny Day tackled both Take A Breath and Secret Option inside the final two furlongs and led briefly before Rani Ruckus started to bridge the leeway. Naresh brought Rani Ruckus (Sedgefield – Ballade Danon) with a fluent run to overwhelm Sunny Day and sailed away for a comfortable win. Sunny Day finished in second ahead of Secret Option and Only My Way.
 
Racing immediately on relegation to the lowest class, KSV Prasad Raju’s ward Beast Master claimed the Delhi Race Club Trophy, the day’s curtain raiser in the hands of P. Sai Kumar. Quality Warrior called the shots in the early phase of the seven-furlong race while Beast Master travelled nicely in the mid-bunch. As the field turned for home, Sai Kumar showed the daylight to Beast Master (Sanus Per Aquam – Classical Dancer), who unleashed a powerful run in the straight and cantered away for a facile win over Golden Aura, Moonlite Rose, and The Divinely.