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The R R Komandur Memorial trophy was the added attraction in the day's card. It was billed as a match race between an experienced Southern Chieftain and a younger Gershwin. The latter is a three year old, and Darashah was bidding to win a third straight race with him in as many months. Southern Chieftain garnered most of the support and started as an odds-on choice in this event. Prakash was a picture of supreme confidence as he occupied the box seat behind the early leaders, and brought Southern Chieftain with a smooth run near the bend. The duo sailed for home and looked set to land the spoils. The wily Suraj Narredu on Gershwin had followed them for most of the way. He took out his stick and asked the younger horse for an effort. Gershwin responded brilliantly and began to gain ground on the leader. After a brief fight thereafter, Gershwin proved to be better than her rival. Cilantro was able to hold on to his third spot.
A lucky win for Pal Joey gave Darashah his double for the day. The horse had lost the race on the track, but was fortunate to get it in the stewards room. It was a race full of incidents. Money back favourite Celestial Treasure refused to leave the starting gates. Despite Prakash's urgings, the four year old was stuck there for a long period of time. Vivek's mount Pal Joey had led all the way, and was surprised near the post by a hard ridden Living Free. The winner had cut an erratic course in the straight, and Shobhan Babu had very little control on her. Living Free drifted out and gave a severe knock to Briannsta. Jockey Noorulla was fortunate to have remained in his saddle. The Stewards did not hesitate in ordering an enquiry into this incident, and after a careful review, decided to disqualify the winner. The jockeys need to be extremely careful in a race, and must respect the lives of their colleagues. This decision has sent a clear message to their fraternity. Incidentally, this win enabled Vivek to share the professional honours with Darashah. Vivek had won the day's opener with a narrow victory astride Famous For free.
Neil Darashah's Henry's Secret was the other "star" of the day. The big made horse was bidding to win his third successive start, and his supporters had no doubts about his abilities. They backed him with gay abandon and sent him as a 65/100 favourite to the starting gates. P S Chouhan had ridden him to victory in his previous start. The jockey seemed to have immense confidence in the abilities of Henry's Secret. He was totally unperturbed by their early position in the race. They made their move near the three furlong pole, and began to pick up a bunch of tired horses. He assumed charge in the final furlong and was eased up much before the winning post. Mill Fontaine had to be content with the second spot The margin of five lengths is indicative of his superiority. Henry's Secret has graduated to Class I, and is set to make his mark over longer trips.
Three year old maiden Time Speed made her debut in open company. The speedy filly had been unfortunate to have run against some good horses in the races reserved for maidens during the summer season. Her opposition looked pretty ordinary today, and she treated them with scant respect. She carried the top weight to an easy victory. In the hands of apprentice Selvaraj, Time Speed was never off the bit while scoring from Bullish Luck and Royal Flynn.
The only other race in the afternoon was a seven furlong race for older horses in class IV. Bottom weighted Breed Apart was the rage in this race and was supported with confidence. The favourite looked set to land the gamble before he was passed on his inside by the top weighted Cadre Noir. The winner defied a stiff penalty he had received for an earlier victory. Breed Apart is in good form, and should be able to win a similar event later in the season.
