Followers of first favourites had a disastrous day as not a single obliged. The ominous trend was set by Dominatrix in the first race. The 16/10 against top weight just could not raise a gallop and ended detached last more than 25 lengths behind the winner. Sitting last of five, Dominatrix caught up with the frontrunners after Adrenaline Rush threatened to run away beyond reach at one stage, then just petered out like a punctured balloon once they turned for home! He was completely spent round the bend and there ended his challenge. Miles And More rose to the occasion and scored a thumping victory as he readily assumed command even as they turned for home. Such was the authority with which the Arti Doctor trainee called the shots in the straight that the rest looked like they were only plodding, while Miles And More kept adding ‘miles and more’ between himself and his rivals. An encore cannot be ruled out, on this show, particularly over a trip.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy was reduced to a two-horse race in the betting ring. Own Voice (Donnoghue) and Kiara (Rajendra) hogged all the attention in the ring and the same belief was translated on the track. Kiara shot ahead early and was closely tracked by Own Voice and the duo took the turn together to fight out the entire length of the long Mahalaxmi home stretch. Kiara held slight advantage on straightening up, and Own Voice wasted no time in neutralizing that edge as the two passed the 400 m with Own Voice gaining on Kiara. Own Voice soon headed Kiara as Rajendra found his filly not responding to the use of whip, and the little champ quickly put the whip away and resorted to vigorous pushing for home. Donnoghue tried every trick in the book but failed to counter Kiara’s blaze, but did well to register a marked improvement on his last run.

Totalitarian was the other big failure. The gelding surprisingly went for a start-to-finish unlike in his previous races, and paled when the heat was turned on. The field of five were huddled close together all through and Totalitarian seemed well in hand as the headed for home. However, when Royal Flash (Kishore) applied pressure, the favourite failed to raise his fiery gallop and offered no resistance and let the well backed Royal Flash pass him easily. Nanjing and even Balthazar managed to finish ahead of the Shroff ward who had only Rococo behind him at the finish.

Northern Prince was the next favourite to bite the dust. Zameer Sayyed could not justify the confidence the punters had on him and surrendered meekly without even raising any hope. Socaroro, who was always prominent, led early in the straight and easily kept every other contender at bay including Jazzego. The latter did raise a hope of a close contest but Socaroro ensured that no one would spoil his party. He kicked on well and Jazzego could only finish second. King’s Troop was hard ridden and came into place money.

Sea Storm was heavily backed to win the Serum Institute of India Trophy. Grant tried his best but that was not good enough to beat World War Three (Kinane) who put in a sustained bid past the distance post to head the bunch in a four-horse finish at the wire. Wild Temper (Alam) entered the straight and began his drift towards the outside, Arkhos had to be switched inside, Sea Storm began to flex his muscles on the wider out as World War Three started too cover rapid ground widest of all. Meanwhile, Hughes saw the opportunity and darted for the rail run and did make progress. However, World War Three overwhelmed the lot and win in an interesting finish. Silent Presence, who finished just a length and a half away, did show enough to catch the eye and should be considered in his next couple of assignments. Sea Storm met one better this time and should make amends.

Carlos was yet another favourite to bite the dust. Luck Factor cut a decent pace and brought the in the straight. Carlos who was right behind looked ready to pounce on the leader, Grant saw the yawning gap and gratefully went for the dream rail run in a hurry and booted home the advantage all the way to the winning post even as Carlos was closing in. Terre Blanche (Narredu) came on late but was only good enough for the place money. Here Comes The Don came from the dead to run just short of Terre Blanche to be noticed in the last part indicating that he should not be ignored in the near future. Fired Up was right there but faded after a brief act. However, Dynamic Cat was very impressive while notching up a rich hat-trick showing marked improvement in every run. Watch out for Here Comes The Don.

Vale Of Leven did not do justice to his status of the 'first favourite’ either thus ending a day of blanks for the favourites. Racing in the mid-bunch, Vale Of Laven could not make any impression despite getting a good rail run. Wahy (Rajendra), who was racing alongside the favourite for the most part, came alive in the straight to zip past NeedForSpeed (Kishore) and Ka Ching(Grant), the latter stretching the hunt even to the stewards room. The manner of victory of Wahy left little doubt in the Stewards' mind and after carefully scrutinizing the race, the objection was over-ruled. Clas did make efforts to end in the frame. Wahy exhibited enough to be persisted with in her next outing as well and can go over an extended trip as well. Mickey Mantle looked only a patch of his first run and never was prominent at any stage. Secret Pilgrim (Alford) was fractious in the gates and was slowly off.