Nilesh Rawal-trained Gachchhatu left the crowd at Malakpet spellbound, storming home to snatch victory in the 1200m Gr 3 Byerly Turk Million on Monday. Living up to her Sanskrit name, which means “to go,” the filly didn`t just go – she flew, leaving Bangalore challenger and favourite See The Light eating dust in the final 100 metres. For the second time in as many starts, Gachchhatu delivered a performance that screamed, “I`m not just good; I`m fabulous.”

Last time out, Gachchhatu had already hinted at her brilliance by mowing down a runaway leader in the dying strides. But this time, the Kunigal Stud Farm-bred filly – by Sans Per Aquam out of Senor Bella – turned it up a notch, proving she`s not just a one-hit wonder. If there were any skeptics left, they were left swallowing their words as Gachchhatu breezed past without even breaking a sweat.

The stage seemed set for Sulaiman Attaollahi`s much-fancied See The Light to uphold the tradition of outstation horses dominating these sweepstakes events. After all, the Bangalore raider had been a sparkling winner back home. The betting market, though, told a different story – with Gachchhatu`s odds hardening ominously. Trevor Patel, onboard the favourite, opted for a “catch me if you can” strategy, taking See The Light to the front for an uncontested lead, while Turiya followed politely in second.

Meanwhile, Neeraj Rawal, riding Gachchhatu, looked almost too relaxed, sitting in fifth or sixth position like he was on a leisurely evening stroll. But appearances can be deceiving. As the field turned for home, See The Light was still leading, and for a moment, it looked like she`d take the prize. Then Gachchhatu was unleashed. Covering ground faster than a politician making promises before an election, she surged past the favourite, leaving her rivals flailing in her wake. By the time Gachchhatu crossed the finish line – over two lengths ahead, mind you – Neeraj Rawal hadn`t even bothered to use the whip. Turiya managed to cling to third, possibly wondering what on earth just happened.

With this dazzling show of power, the connections of Gachchhatu are now eyeing the Breeders` Produce Stakes during the Indian Derby weekend in Mumbai. As for See The Light, well, the only light she saw today was the one blazing from Gachchhatu`s rearview mirror.

In what can only be described as a masterclass in understatement, Sreekant-trained Truth strutted his stuff in the 2400m Sri A S Krishna Memorial Cup on Monday, leaving both his rivals and the bookmakers regretting their life choices. Known for his dominance over marathon distances, Truth stood head and shoulders above the competition – quite literally, as the rest of the field barely showed up.

Generous bookmakers offered punters a juicy price on the favourite, perhaps hoping for a miracle. Instead, they got a reality check. Jockey Akshay Kumar didn`t even have to break a sweat as Truth, living up to his name, burst onto the scene in the final furlong to romp home for an effortless victory. It was less a race and more a procession, with Nightmare living up to hers, finishing a distant second. As for Siddharth, the former star has been on a journey of rediscovery across random distances, but all he managed this time was to scrape past the eternally laid-back Detective, who seemed more interested in spectating than competing.

Jockey Mukesh Kumar is riding a wave of success, both literally and figuratively. After clinching his maiden classic win aboard White Pearl on Sunday, Mukesh added another feather to his cap with a sensational ride on First Class in the Brave Hunter Cup (Div I).

The race, featuring a closely matched field, turned into a heart-stopping six-way battle down the final stretch. Mukesh, demonstrating razor-sharp instincts, hugged the rails aboard Magan Singh Parmar`s First Class, snatching the lead in the final furlong. Despite fierce challenges from Crimson Rose and widely fancied Winning Attitude, Mukesh held his nerve – and the lead – to secure victory by half a length.

It was a tough day for Leo D`Silva`s Winning Attitude, who couldn`t quite live up to her name, settling for third after a spirited attempt. For Mukesh Kumar, however, it was yet another first-class performance in a season that`s turning into a career highlight reel.

In the Brave Hunter Cup (Div II), punters followed the money – and for once, it paid off. Imran Khan-trained Sopranos was backed heavily in the betting ring, sharing favouritism with Challenger, who lived up to her name by leading the field early. But Challenger`s gutsy effort was ultimately no match for Sopranos` dramatic crescendo.

With a surge of speed worthy of a finale, Sopranos swooped from way off the pace to claim victory in style. Challenger gamely held on for second, while Sweet Dancer, clearly inspired by her name, pirouetted into contention briefly in the final 100 metres before bowing out for third. A thrilling finish, though likely more thrilling for Sopranos` backers than her rivals.

In a plot twist worthy of a racing drama, the odds on Cherie Chevalier plummeted faster than an internet outage, signalling that punters were onto something. And they were right. Despite an unnecessarily scenic detour on the final bend, Cherie Chevalier proved she was in a class of her own, storming down the stretch to win the race by a jaw-dropping four lengths in the 1200 metres Attractress Plate (Div I). Double Bubble, who looked like she might pull off a bubbly finish, had to settle for second, barely keeping Moonlite Rose and Honey Luna at bay in a photo finish for the minors.

In the lower division, Leo D`Silva-trained Pacific Heights, still licking its wounds from a close defeat to Gachchhatu, decided there would be no second chances this time. With jockey Saqlain in the saddle, the mare seized the lead at the start and never looked back, coasting to a start-to-finish victory that was as businesslike as it was uneventful. Emerald Touch and Sharanga followed her home in a race that lacked fireworks but got the job done.

Leo D`Silva struck again, this time with a long-shot winner in Silver Lining, who had punters rubbing their eyes in disbelief as she pulled off a gutsy win in the 1200m Astonish Plate (Div I). The filly`s jockey Afroz Khan managed to lose the whip at a crucial moment, but Silver Lining didn`t seem to care – she fought off the favourite, Char Ek Char, in a gripping battle to the finish. Inderdhanush, meanwhile, narrowly edged out Lights for third in a finish so tight you`d think the photo finish camera needed a breather.

The lower division of the race was less dramatic, as Swiss Girl decided she had no interest in sharing the spotlight. Trained by Imran Khan and ridden by Akshay Kumar, Swiss Girl led from the word “go” and galloped home with ease, winning with plenty in hand. Blue Pantheress finished second, while Morning Mist was third.