Narendera Lagad trained La Joie De Vie (Diffident – La Joya), owned by the Goculdas' and well ridden by in form jockey Sunny Chinoy won the October Handicap fluently beating a field of fancied horses comfortably.

As they jumped out, the 12 runners were divided in two equal halves of six runners each in the front group with Sophie leading the pack, closely followed by Highland Warrior, Touch Of Land, Phospher, La Joie De Vie and favourite Slickkit. The rest were in no serious contention, Hi Dolly losing about % L at the start.

Sophie had a firm grip on the lead as they entered the straight, but was hotly chased by Highland Warrior. The pair was engaged in a gripping duel and had Touch Of Land in threatening vicinity. Slickkit who was alongside La Joie De Vie never looked like making it and Phospher was getting nowhere. Past the distance post, Sunny got La Joie De Vie to raise a powerful finishing gallop and the filly bounded forward to get past the fighting duo in the final moments to compile an impressive victory. Sophie was the next best while Highland Warrior went down fighting.

Samuel Fargeat was in the limelight through the day. He went down narrowly in the opener astride Miles and More, won with Bu Attifel in the stewards room and then partnered Spitz to a facile victory thus scoring a twice in three mounts. Miles And More, was sent on a start to finish mission in the 2400 metres first race of the day. Going at an awfully slow pace Miles And More stepped up past the 1000 metres but had the entire field breathing down his neck. It was a closely huddled bunch that entered the straight and the race still wide open. Miles And More was pressed first by Fiery Fortune who was gaining ground, Silent Presence was putting pressure from the rails. Rococo was on the wide outside and making his presence felt. As the passed the grand stands, Fiery Fortune had put his neck in front but was still unsure of victory. The Winning Post never came too quickly for the Magan Singh ward and when it arrived it must have been a great relief. Silent Presence had all the chances but failed narrowly. Miles And More held on to keep Rococo from slipping ahead. Rococo, perhaps would rue the lost opportunity. Wayne Smith had him sitting last all through and could not really press home with a powerful finish.   

Expensive Affair's odds   drifted in the ring and Bu Attifel was the race time favourite. Medtias Pride was the early leader and was chased by Rave On and Naseebdar. Bu Attifel was wider fourth. Expensive Affair was never prominent while the Rebel lost his chances owing to poor positioning early on. In the straight, Rave On took charge early but was under pressure. Naseebdar never let him off the hook. Bu Attifel was also catching up fast and sensing that Rave On was not exactly going straight as an arrow, Bu Attifel, switched on to the rails. No sooner that he did that, Rave On unexplicibly shifted in drastically and even bumped Bu Attifel before hitting the winning post a short head ahead of Bu Attifel. Fargeat duly lodged an objection which was unanimously upheld and Bu Attifel got the race and Rave On relegated to second.

Yaan was another favourite that drifted alarmingly begging stripes to sit up and take notice. Tremendous money came on Black Warrior and the horse duly won as per the predictions of the markets. Yaan did not even make to the frame. Black Warrior (Libor – Kahili Ginger), who was third all through made his move well into the straight and bolted past Little Princess to post a convincing victory.

Pillatus (Black Cash – Cinora) was the most impressive winner of the day, outclassing his rivals with disdain. Pillatus, settled early in the fourth, swooped on the front runners soon after turning for home and won without being extended. Top Action was all out but a hard ridden spica managed to get past him for the runner up berth. Pillatus was indeed an impressive winner and should repeat.

Spitz (Warrshan – Aquatic Wonder) scored an effortless victory befitting a hot favourite quoted at cramped odds. No alarms whatsoever to his backers, Spitz chased Wild Torronaado and Master Craft for a while but as they straightened for home, Spitz readily came to the front and sped past wild Torronaado and once into the lead was elusive to the rest. Wild Torronaado held on easily to the second spot while Tommy Carmichael came from behind to get past Master Craft on the wire.

Roman Beauty got badly entangled inside the starting gates and looked in distress. She was back on her feet but not without stress. She was duly withdrawn.

Highland Magic cornered most of the betting in the last race of the day. Soon on start, Galactica tride to take the gap between Arbudh and the rails but was tightened for room and nearly dislodged the rider. Galactica dropped back considerably and lost position as did Arbudh a few strides later. Vantage was settled beautifully in fourth, while Highland Magic was in the mid-bunch. Refuse To Bend led till the turn and gave up. Vantage was prominent as they straightened up and surged decisively forward and this ploy paid rich dividends. Malesh nursed the Shroff trained filly to a handy lead and although being ridden out, never really looked like being caught. Highland magic put in his charge on the wide outside but never made any impression on the front bunch. Sloskjear fought on but Forever Amber pegged him back for the second. Arbudh who was a bad second last till into the straight ran on to figure in the frame.

Jockey Samuel Fargeat was the lone professional to score a double.