Sanjay Kolse trained Don Corleone proved speedy yet again when the lesser fancied runner, in the hands of five-kg claimer Akshay Gaikwad won from start to finish with hardly any pressure from the opponents in the 1000 metres B K Lagad Memorial Gold Trophy (Div I), a race for horses 40 to 66, the feature event of Saturday`s races. Favourite Miss Arazan was in distress, cutting an erratic course, dropping back alarmingly and being out of the fray well before the runners took the final bend.

Don Corleone hit the front from the word `go`. Sunny Sea along the rails and Cannonball Run were the only ones who were racing closest to the front-runner. Don Corleone broke into a decisive lead in the final furlong even as his opponents struggled for speed and recorded an emphatic victory. Cannonball Run took the second place ahead of Sunny Sea while one failed to spot Miss Arazan with the bunch. Lady Danehill and Abbey fought out a close battle in the lower division of the race, with the former retaining the edge till crossing the post. Rock In Rio saved place money.

Rehanullah Khan trained Highland Breeze had served notice of an early success when he had run an eye-catching second behind San Martino. Last start winner Sky Mine led from the start with San Martino in chase while Highland Breeze was in third position. Sky Mine skipped clear in the straight even as San Martino began to fall back. It took a while for Highland Breeze to warm up but when he did so, he came up with an aggressive effort to sail past the front runner to record a comfortable win. Glorious Opinion ran on well from behind to take the third position while San Martino disappeared without a trace.

Pesi Shroff-trained Mariska once again flopped in the 1600 metres Cardinal Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, confirming the belief that though the filly is well bred, she is run-of-the mill. Jockey Trevor Patel was harshly treated by the Stewards when they suspended him for two race days for injudicious riding on what is an ordinary horse. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan who replaced Trevor in the saddle, had Mariska lead from the start and the filly began to send distress signals in the final furlong. River Dance who lay in wait, pounced on the tiring front-runner and easily overhauled the favourite to record a facile win. The filly had produced a better performance in the hands of Trevor. Will the Stewards pounce on Pradeep for being injudicious in going to the front? Rapid Girl was third.

There was a big gamble brought off on Subhag Singh trained Royal Éclair in the 1400 metres Flaming Ace Plate, a race for horses rated 1 to 26. Given 18 runs to come to the level where the connections perhaps had the confidence to put their money, Royal Éclair proved too good for the field, winning by a margin of seven lengths over Coley and Matrioshka. While the Stipes have been quick to suspend a jockey for losing by a short head, what they have got to say about this unacceptable improvement in performance of a horse which puts the student of form to despair? Do the Stipes have any clue about what their job is all about? Is it to suspend those who are fair and encourage those who play havoc with the system? These are questions for which the Stipes have failed disastrously to answer.

Adhirajsingh Jodha trained Vulcan led all the way and comfortably held off the challenge of Volantis to win the 2000 metres Access All Areas Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Trombone was a well-beaten third.

Shiraz Sunderji trained Sporting Spirit fought a valiant battle with Erdemir in the 1200 metres Adam`s Treasure Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds and just when he looked vulnerable, he pulled back that bit extra to prevail in a tight finish. Drogo was a far off third. Rajendra trained Travieso brought off a big upset in the lower division of the race with a strong effort down the final furlong to win from Sporto. The last named raced detached lost but covered ground in the straight and was slightly hampered by the outward drift by the eventual winner when he began to devour ground in the straight. The resultant objection did not find substance with the Stewards.