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Trainer Anupam Sharma, who has been having a dream run this season, had led in The Himalayas, in the lower division of the King’s Crown Plate. The Himalayas had four suggestive runs to his credit but was neglected in the betting, being offered at sevens. Rose Queen and Sorbitrate charged in the front till the distance post with Eloquence chasing them throughout. The Himalayas was sighted in about seventh position as the field straightened and once he got into the rhythm on the straight, did not find any difficulty in passing all those in front
The day belonged to jockey P.S. Chouhan, who booted home four winners. Two of them were for Trainer Prasad Raju and two for L.V.R. Deshmukh. Prasad’s double came through Green Mist and Green Vision and these wins consolidated his position on top, in the trainers tally with a three-point lead over his nearest rival, Donald Netto. Green Mist, on a start-to-finish run, extended the margin in the last furlong. While the winner paid rich dividends, stablemate Greet Well gulped down a lot of money.
Chouhan had to put all his might and guide Green Vision, as the gelding tended to hang in badly on the straight and was beginning to lean over China Pearl. Queen of Sheeba was given a clumsy ride throughout the race and the filly almost ran on her own, picking up speed very late to finish second, a ‘head’ behind the winner.
Deshmukh led in Asleen State and Vijay Dhanush. Ashleen State had opened as an ‘on money’ favourite but drifted out and the odds doubled to 16 to 10. Going into the race, Ashleen State led from the word ‘go’ and never gave any anxious moments to her supporters. Young Soldier, Zarina and Rio Grande filled the frame.
Flaming Ruby had opted for runaway tactics, in the higher division of the Illustrious Reign Plate but lost the race almost on the last stride to Vijay Dhanush. Vijay Dhanush came with big strides and covered a lot of ground to beat Flaming Ruby. Meticulous was withdrawn after he refused to move into the gates.
See You There moved quickly to take charge from the tiring Danzing in the final 300 metres of the lower division and warded off the late challenge of Rostock. Vijaysena and Smarty Prince filled the frame.
Arsham took the shortest way along the inner rails to score a win in the concluding race. Traxana warmed up late to finish second ahead of Easy Strides and Vijay Lakh.
