The double classic winner Royal Legacy apart, the surprise winner of the Zavaray Poonawalla Sprinters' Cup, Reiko provided a silver lining on the first day of the two-day extravaganza at the royal city and the railbirds despite burning a hole in the pocket following a series of shock results were not complaining and in fact cheered in the winners. 

The winner of the 2000 Guineas, Stud Poker from trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard garnered the maximum support in the blue riband of the season, the Zavaray Poonawalla Mysore Derby. The overwhelming favourite piloted by top saddle artiste Suraj Narredu hit the front, the moment the seven best colts and four fillies claiming a statutory gender allowance of 1.5 kilos came under the starter's flag for the classic 2000 metres journey. Akshay Kumar astride Royal Legacy cheered by the ladies cheer brigade followed the leader all through the backstretch, while the Mumbai raider from Pesi Shroff's yard Mahogany and the Hyderabad hopeful Madante from Deshmukh's stable chose to play the waiting game. 

Royal Legacy approaching the distance post, after a brief duel with the public choice assumed command and Akshay quickly packed punch on the James McKeown ward to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Mahogany covered good ground in the final furlong to gain the runner-up spot, a `nose' separating the two at the wire, while Garfunkle completed the classic picture frame. 

Immensely pleased recording his maiden Derby success at Mysuru, Akshay disclosed that before the start he believed that he was in with an outside chance, but the moment he found Stud Poker shortening his stride two furlongs from home, he knew that he was now in with a definite chance to land the Derby riches. "My filly was travelling well and Stud Poker was struggling to stay in contention in the final furlong and the moment I streaked ahead, it was game, set and match for Royal Legacy," said the chote nawab from the Charminar city.

A delighted Kaliyaperumal owner of Royal Legacy revealed that this was his second Derby success after Mountain Jewel won the Deccan Derby at Malakpet (Hyderabad) last year. "James and Akshay told me that the filly had improved after her Guineas victory and that she was in with an outside chance. She certainly produced her best when it mattered most and made me proud. It proved to be a red letter day and I certainly will cherish the big moment on the big stage," said Kaliyaperumal. 

None can dispute that whatever owner Arun Kumar does and touch, turns to gold. After a spectacular Bangalore summer season leading in 14 winners including Alfonsine bagging the 'Horse Of The Season' crown, Arun Kumar proudly led in Reiko, a shock winner of the Sprinters' Cup. Reiko in his last effort at this centre had finished last, more than a dozen lengths behind the winner Money Bags and most leading pros in the game were questioning the wisdom of the owner, choosing to race Reiko again against the best sprinters on the Indian racing circuit. Arun Kumar, it must be mentioned had the last laugh. Reiko piloted by Akshay Kumar edged out lesser fancied Encino by the shortest of margins, while the piping hot favourite Money Bags finished a tame third. Reiko's victory confirmed that Arun Kumar is riding high on Devil's luck and his horses come November will continue to stay ahead in the gold hunt.

"Many trainers and owners were of the opinion that it was foolish to race Reiko in the Sprinters, but I knew his capability. His last effort was one bad day at the office and he deserved another chance. I readily gave him the big chance, never mind people calling it a joke. And he produced his career best effort. The big effort on the big day was a slap in the face of all the prolific people in the game, who opined that the Sprinters' Cup was out and out a two-horse race, Money Bags versus Time And Tide," said Arun pointing out that Money Bags finished a tame third while the Mumbai mainhope Time And Tide finished second last in the seven-horse field. 

On a day on testing underfoot conditions following torrential showers on Friday night, the Adhirajsingh Jodha schooled DYF was the solitary favourite, who stood tall at the winners' podium, comfortably pegging back the Shroff-trained Red Bishop in the energy-sapping Stayers' Cup run over the gruelling distance of 3000 metres. A confident Yash Narredu astride the grey produced a copybook effort and full marks to Adhiraj to keep the versatile performer going at the age of seven. Red Bishop did produce his best, but against a determined Yash and DYF, it was just not good enough to reverse the result at end. 

On a day he registered his maiden Derby success at this centre, Akshay Kumar stole the limelight recording a hat-trick booting home Reiko in the Sprinters' Cup followed by Flight On in the next event, RCTC Million and the icing on the cake off course was the creme dela creme performance on Royal Legacy in the blue riband.