Trainer Satheesh consistently delivers surprises at unexpected moments. The market predicted a close competition between Ashoka and Malaala in the Kodangal Plate (Div I), a 1200-meter race for horses rated 80 and above. However, the outcome took a dramatic turn when Best Buddy, energetically taking the lead, thwarted the challenge from Mumbai import Faith, who was making a comeback after a lengthy break. The race held at Malakpet on Tuesday showcased the anticlimactic victory of Best Buddy, leaving the highly anticipated duel between Ashoka and Malaala behind. In the lower division, Black Onyx, trained by Magan Singh Parmar and strongly supported by bettors, emerged as an impressive winner.

Donald Netto-trained Ashoka, a former prolific performer, had suffered an unexpected loss in the previous race. Ashoka aimed to redeem himself was expected to face stiff competition from the formidable Malaala. The anticipated fight did not materialise. Apprentice jockey Md Ekram Alam guided long shot Best Buddy to an early lead, and despite some shifting out from a straight path, the underdog prevailed over Faith by a neck. Faith, returning after a 102-day break, exhibited significant improvement from her previous performance, surpassing Ashoka, who finished third after a tight tussle with Malaala for the position. For the record, when Faith ran last time out 102 days ago, she had finished nearly 19 lengths behind Ashoka.

Black Onyx, once a standout performer before a temporary decline, displayed a resurgence in form. With renewed confidence, the horse secured a convincing victory in the lower division of the Kodangal Plate, making a powerful surge from the back of the pack under jockey Vivek G. Black Onyx crossed the finish line with a two-length lead over Nugget, leaving City of Bliss trailing in the third position. Despite having supporters, Miss Little Angel failed to make an impact and finished a disappointing fourth.

In the absence of jockey Akshay Kumar, the emerging talent Vivek G has been seizing ample opportunities across various racing centres in the country. In the 1200 meters Huzurnagar Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65, Vivek partnered with the well-backed Mireya, aiming to continue her winning streak. Mireya and D Yes Boss, the market favourites, bided their time at the back of the pack before Vivek unleashed Mireya`s potential in the final furlong. Mireya surged ahead impressively, securing a commanding victory with a five-length lead. D Yes Boss finished strongly to claim the runner-up position, outpacing Sopranos and Pinatubo.

In the 1400 meters Palair Reservoir Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65, the heavily backed Decoy, trained by Donald Netto, lived up to expectations. Decoy`s stablemate, La Mirage, took an early lead and maintained it until the final furlong. Jockey B R Kumar timed Decoy`s run perfectly, making a decisive move from the rear to clinch an authoritative win, leaving the frontrunners trailing. Rising Tycoon made a significant late surge to secure the second position ahead of the fading La Mirage.

Minecraft, trained by Mukesh Kumar, entered the 1100 meters Manthani Plate as the day`s shortest-priced horse. Jockey Aashad Asbar guided Minecraft to a dominant victory, effortlessly taking control of the race in the final furlong. The race unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Minecraft proving superior and the rest merely completing the formality of finishing without challenging the favourite.

In the 1200 meters Madhira Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, Nilesh Rawal-trained Bold Beauty fulfilled punters` expectations with a strong finish down the final furlong. When Eminency took the lead in the last 100 meters, Bold Beauty overcame a considerable gap. With a powerful late surge, Bold Beauty surpassed the front-runner to secure victory in the closing moments of the race. Diamond Rain, initially hindered for a clear run, made a late progression to finish third.

In a thrilling culmination, the late surge from the rear of the pack ensured success for the underdog Top In Class, trained by Faisal Hassan, in the 1200 meters Huzurnagar Plate (Div II), a competition for horses rated 40 to 65. Garnet held a substantial lead of over six lengths entering the final furlong and seemed poised for victory when contenders Mark My Day and Top In Class made their move. In a closely contested finish, Top In Class, Mark My Day, and Garnet crossed the post in line, with the outcome reflecting the order in which the names are mentioned. The favoured Tripurari faltered when the race intensified and concluded disappointingly in fifth place.

The concluding race of the day, the 1100 meters Andole Plate, reserved for horses rated in the lowest category, saw the unexpected triumph of the long shot Blue Brigade from the stables of trainer Sreekant. Apprentice jockey Kuldeep Singh guided Blue Brigade, covering substantial ground in the final furlong to effortlessly overtake the long-time leader Exeter and secure a comfortable victory. The favourite Lights On struggled to make an impact and settled for third place.