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Imran Khan, who had ridden Ave Maria, had started the day with Prince of Hebashe in the higher division of the Gold Sovereign Plate. The Shamsuddin schooler surged into the front on entering the straight but had to really sweat it out, to hold on by a whisker from Young Star, who got closer with every stride.
The lower division, which was the concluding race, was won by the public fancy Cabochon. After being lethargic at the start, losing about two lengths, Cabochon improved gradually and won comfortably in the end. The Parliament chased the winner to the post.
Artistic Emperor won the higher division of the Tungabhadra Cup, justifying the strong support, while rand outsider, Royal Degree claimed the lower division. Ace High was in front on the straight and Artistic Emperor was reminded of his task by jockey Stephen Carson with few cracks and he responded with a tremendous turn of foot to cover good ground and sweep the field with ease. Ace High held on in second while the others were further behind. The Beatles Angel was withdrawn after she went loose on the track and refused to move towards the gate. Royal Degree shot ahead in the final furlong to pass A Fire Work and then warded off the late Challenge of Hunting Boy. The favourite Easy Touch finished third.
Flowers of Music, owned and trained by K.V. Srinivas, scored an upset in the Super Brave Plate, a race for three year-old maidens. Setting out in front from the start, Flowers of Music held on to the lead by half a length from the favourite Dixie Bell. Dixie Bell started to pick up moment in the final furlong but shifted in with jockey Tom Mclaughlin preferring to take the gap between Airborne Magic and the rails, although a wider gap was on a platter right in front. This erroneous decision of the rider probably cost him the race. Jabel Queen made a late bid to take the third spot.
Jewel in the Crown stretched out to take the running from Star Prospect, passing the distance marker. Don Valentino came charging from way behind but fell short by a ‘head’ at the wire. Jockey M. Krishna had replaced the indisposed Deep Shanker on the winner while R. Rupesh rode Don Valentino in place of Mclaughlin.
P.S. Chouhan outsmarted Mclaughlin to win the lower division of the Pelican Plate on Faisal Hassan-trained Tristar. Winning Strides was found to be running green and Mclaughlin had to change his whip to control his mount.
