After the disappointing start on Rajyotsava day, the railbirds landed a good number of knock-out blows in the betting ring, while dominating the exchanges in the most busy arena in the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) campus on a race day. Five hot favourites and two well-backed second choices kept their appointed date at the winners' podium and on a day form played true, majority of punters returned home after posting many credit entries in their balance sheet. 

The Gregory Sandhu-trained Splendid Dream, fancied strongly to score in the Sports Authority Of India Trophy justified the confidence of his supporters zooming past the leader Carat Love, who in her attempt to make every post a winning one surrendered close home, while the favourite Flight Of Fancy from the stables of Darius Byramji failed to make a favourable impression and finished down the field. The result came as no surprise to the wise and shrewd punters, who pointed out that this Darius trainee has mostly lost when fancied most and on that count is never a good betting proposition. 

Earlier, Darius did lead in a well fancied winner Eminent Gold, who proved too good for his seven rivals in the Hogenakkal Falls Plate run over a mile. The top fancy confidently piloted by the in-form Ashad Asbar produced a stunning gallop at the distance post to seal the deal and on the strength of this impressive effort is tipped to score again in his next start over an identical or beyond a mile trip. Second in demand at the betting ring, Mandate from Arjun Manglorkar's yard warmed up late and was seen finishing on purposefully at end and it will pay to keep an eye on him when he is negotiating longer trips. 

Ashad Asbar in the opening event booted home The Golden Dream to a smart victory, the winner producing an astounding gallop in the final furlong to effortlessly zip past his eight rivals to romp home in style. The favourite Absolute Thunder from Joseph Awale's yard followed the winner home ahead of Carter, while CR Seven, who too had his share of supporters retired, no gas in the tank when the race came on a boil. The Golden Dream appears in good nick and is set to provide an encore. 

A facile last start winner in the summer season, the speedy Born To Rise from Satish Narredu's yard showed a clean pair of heels to his 10 rivals while providing top gun Suraj Narredu an arm-chair ride to success in the lower division of the Vidurashwatha Plate run over a sprint. This speedy progeny of Plumatic appears a good type of youngster, who will certainly make his presence felt against higher rated horses in the weeks ahead. The James McKeown schooled Preview who found the winner too hot to handle all through the six furlongs trip will earn her cornbill soon, taking into account that she will benefit most from this tough and speedy exercise. 

Suraj later combined successfully with James to record a double through the overwhelming favourite Ravishing Queen in the concluding event, the upper division of the Vidurashwatha Plate. A picture of fitness in the paddock, Ravishing Queen was slammed down in the betting ring, most punters doubling their bets after the `Queen' looked good and ready to lower her sword and to the delight of the large following she did just that while providing her supporters a big reason to smile at the end of a good day. Whistling Glory charged home late to finish a creditable second behind the impressive winner, while Everynne fancied strongly in place, missed the boat, finishing a solitary length behind the third-placed Rocking Star.

The bold and brave made money, placing big bets on the Prasanna Kumar schooled Royal Vanguard, satisfied with his effort in a mock race last week after his dismal failure in the Invitation Cup week-end at Mysuru. Leading saddle artiste Trevor Patel pushed the top fancy to the front the moment the six-horse field came under the starter's flag for the mile long trip and the public choice stayed right there, easily pegging back the Sulaiman-trained Knightsbridge and the Satish Narredu schooled Conquistador who proved no match to the winner. 

Scarlette Lady from trainer Purshotham's yard garnered the maximum support in the Hebbe Falls Plate and the top choice in the hands of veteran saddle artiste Srinath produced his best to power home in convincing fashion. Lesser fancied Star Honour followed the winner home ahead of Joyful Spirit, while the second in demand at the betting ring, Stentorian was never really in the hunt.