In a display of pure dominance, Ashoka, trained by Donald Netto, sauntered his way to a hat-trick of victories in the 1200 metres Governor`s Cup at Malakpet, leaving his rivals gasping for breath. Carrying top weight, but shedding none of his class, Ashoka breezed past the competition like a seasoned champ, with jockey Akshay Kumar barely needing to break a sweat. It was a regal procession to the finish line, leaving onlookers with little doubt about his champion credentials.

Despite lugging what could have been considered a hindrance for lesser horses, Ashoka made light of the handicap, easily overtaking the pace-setting Candy Girl, who`d gone all out early and was practically running on empty by the time they hit the homestretch. With a mere flick of the reins, Kumar steered Ashoka to the front and from there, it was just a casual stroll to victory.

Akido, a classic winner with a penchant for inconsistency, produced one of his more spectacular finishes, storming from last place to snatch second from Malaala. But Akido remains an enigma, forever flirting between brilliance and mediocrity. Meanwhile, Strauss, who had attracted considerable interest in the betting ring, faded faster than last week`s news and was never a factor.

Prasad Raju`s Midsummer Star continued his winning streak in the 1200 metres Jatprole Cup, showing that good form can indeed be permanent. With jockey Sai Kumar playing the long game, Midsummer Star was held back in the early stages, allowing Amyra and Mark My Day to tire each other out in a thrilling front-running duel. As the two leaders engaged in a battle royale, Midsummer Star calmly glided past them on the outside, winning by a commanding three lengths. Amyra clung to second by a whisker, leaving Mark My Day with little more than a participation award. Favourite Nucleus was a distant fourth, struggling to keep up and finishing well out of contention.

The day`s biggest surprise, however, came courtesy of Prasad Raju`s longshot Crown Witness in the 1600 metres Raja Saheb of Challapalli Memorial Cup. In a race where favourite Sacred Bond had already thrown away his chances at the start, Crown Witness took full advantage, sweeping past early leader Toffee and building an unassailable lead. Apprentice jockey Ajay Kumar gave Crown Witness a confident ride, as the four-year-old stormed to victory by an eye-watering seven-and-a-half lengths. Toffee just about held on for second, fending off a late charge from Brooklyn Beauty, while Noble Heart settled for fourth.

Imran Khan-trained Magnum delivered a commanding performance in the 2000 metres S N Reddy Memorial Cup, making light work of the opposition and coasting to victory by a whopping five lengths. With Akshay Kumar in the saddle, Magnum seized the lead from the get-go, effortlessly pulling away from the pack. It was a one-horse show as Divine Destiny and NRI Superpower trailed in his wake, while joint-favourite Kancha—winless for a staggering 700 days—was stuck in the doldrums, looking hopelessly out of sorts. Magnum maintained his wide lead all the way to the post, with NRI Superpower edging past Divine Destiny for a runner-up finish. As for Kancha, he plodded home a distant and disappointing fourth.

Mr Perfect came into the 1200 metres Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup (Div I) with slight favouritism, but it was Darling`s Boy who stole the show. Last start runner-up Darling`s Boy, trained by Mir Faiyaz Ali Khan, was ridden with determination by apprentice jockey Shivansh. Though Mr Perfect broke smartly and opened up a healthy lead by the final furlong, it wasn`t to last. Darling`s Boy, responding with gusto to Shivansh`s urgings, closed the gap with ease and surged ahead for a convincing win. Jet Falcon flew in late but had to settle for a distant third as Mr Perfect faded from the picture.

It was a cakewalk for Maigira in the 1600 metres P V G Raju Memorial Cup, as jockey Mukesh Kumar barely had to move a muscle on the Laxman Singh-trained filly. Sent on a start-to-finish mission, Maigira galloped freely at the head of the field, expanding her lead with every stride and crossing the line more than four lengths ahead of her nearest rivals. Favourite Gloria gave chase briefly in the straight but quickly ran out of steam, allowing Desert Hero to sneak into second place. It was all too easy for Maigira, who looked a class above her maiden competition.

Faisal Hassan`s trainee, Master Touch, entered the 1400-metre Nawab Sultan Ali Khan Memorial Cup with little to recommend, having finished a distant 26 lengths behind in his previous run and enduring over 500 days winless streak. However, a drop in class provided a glimmer of hope in this lowest-category race. Char Ek Char, the well-supported favourite, was expected to shine following a recent victory. Stoli set the early pace and led into the final furlong, but Master Touch, ridden by Mukesh Kumar, surged past and pulled clear. Despite a late challenge from Soorya Vahan, Master Touch held a comfortable lead to secure the win, while Stoli settled for third.