The Nanoli Derby eve was an eventful day at the race course that ended with shocking news that Autonomy was injured and would not take part in the Derby. The news was held back till late evening but rumours were rife from earlier on. This was later confirmed that Autonomy stepped on a stone and had hurt heel and was withdrawn, reducing the already small field to just five runners at starting time.

The feature of the day – The Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy was consumed by rank outsider Born To Lead. The Sanjay Kolse trainee stunned the opposition with a spirited home run which easily held a fighting pack snapping at him at bay.  

Flames of Fire and Legendary called the shots till well into the straight, with a closely huddled bunch breathing down their neck all through. Favourite Pillatus was in the mid bunch; Red Indian was badly positioned on the rails and never ran freely. As they straightened up, Legendary was reluctant to give up the lead; Born To Lead and Oyster Gem were applying pressure. Pillatus went widest at the turn and was under pressure. At the distance post, Born To Lead got stronger and wrested the initiative from Legendary, Oyster Gem was not up to it and fell back. Pillatus was trying hard but making little progress. Generalissimo was covering ground and Siroco appeared from the rear and was the widest of all. They were making a cavalry charge with the breadth of the turf covered by horses spread out and flying towards the post. Born To Lead (Diffident–Charente) just managing to stay ahead from Generalissimo. Legendary hung on for place money. Siroco was a good fourth a neck ahead of Red Indian. Watch out for both, Red Indian and Siroco.

Trainer Altaf Hussain had a wonderful day as both his well-supported runners dished out impressive, authoritative victories. Frangipani and Sierra Vista both were resolute in their respective victories.

Frangipani (Concordial–Golden Future) followed up his last start victory with an even more assertive one this time. Sitting on the tail of Hidden Dragon, Frangipani cruised past the leader soon on turn and galloped away without any goading from the saddle. The Altaf Hussain ward simply trounced the favourite Black Sapphire who chased the winner all the way and romped home with a long margin. Appu had little to do on Frangipani and didn't work up sweat. Frangipani will be a live force in Mumbai as well even over an extra furlong. Game of Talent, who put in an inspired finish, needs watching. The weight told on Black Sapphire who ran a tame second.

Altaf Hussain scored again with Sierra Vista who seems to be a promising youngster. Backed to win the Desert Warrior Trophy (Div 2), Sierra Vista (Placerville–Fair Always) did it in style. She came up with a blinding finishing gallop, particularly past the distance post, to thwart any possible threat. Tapis was the only one who offered a little resistance before Sierra Vista pulled away out of reach.

Appu too had earlier scored a calculated victory in the third race of the day. Once again hitting the front soon on start, Snow Blind (Brave Hunter–Edelweiss) built up a sizable lead in the straight and galloped away. Stellar Affair and Blue Daffodils, who were right with Snow Blind till the turn, failed to quicken and kicked on for the minor placing. Zarzaitin must have rued not being in a better position than he was in the early stages as he finished on extremely fast and touched the tail of the winner at the finish. He covered a lot of ground and zipped in when all was over. This was indeed an eye catching run and it would pay to make a note of Zarzaitin the next time.

Sara Jahan (Diffident–Moonlight Magic) showed a clean pair of heals and beat the opposition without fuss in the opening race. Firecracker led the small field with Uber Alles in close attendance. Sara Jahan was a watchful third, with the rest making little impact in the race. Princess Samerah refused to gallop after jumping out. On straightening up, Firecracker was cracking and Uber Alles was fighting hard when Sara Jahan put in his appearance. Past the distance post, Sara Jahan looked clearly the best of them all and drew away to register a comfortable victory.

Arks Angel (Diffident–Thanksgiving) made light of the heavy weight he was carrying and won decisively. Settling into second behind Brezhnev, Arks Angel strode out in front early in the straight and Landlord tried hard to make a fight of it. However, past the distance post, Arks Angel got stronger and accelerated well to steer clear of Landlord. Winning Treat, who fought hard for the third place, was edged out by The Right Man who came from behind to put his nose in front right on the winning post. 

The last race of the day was won by Equality (Broto–Unbiased) in a successful start-to-finish coup. The lesser fancied Dallas Todywalla charge hit the front as the field settled down and kept working her way to the finish. Cavaradosi who chased her most of the time raced alongside in the straight but Equality showed that little extra stamina to gallop out the distance. Cavarodosi had to be content with the runner-up berth; Polar Glow was the only one from behind to finish on with a mission and landed the place money.

Trainer Altaf hussain and Jockey KPG Appu scored a double each.