Touch of Grey, who dazzled during last year`s winter season with victories in two Derbys, including the Guineas, had recently been playing second fiddle to Jamari in their past encounters. However, in one of the premier races of the RWITC racing calendar, Touch of Grey delivered a stunning performance, winning the Gr 1 HPSL Indian St Leger and silencing any doubts about his ability to handle the marathon 2800-metre trip, a challenge he was tackling for the first time.

But while the horse`s victory was impressive, the tactical brilliance of jockey Suraj Narredu truly stood out. Suraj, who has established himself as the go-to rider for classics, showcased his trademark combination of poise, intuition, and sheer riding genius. His father, Satish Narredu, would have been proud to watch his son steer the second favourite to victory in a race that epitomized patience and timing. The Narredu family`s dominance in the classics over the past year continues, and this Leger win adds yet another jewel to their crown.

Touch of Grey, initially thought to be uncomfortable with the extended trip, was ridden to perfection by Suraj, who demonstrated why he is head and shoulders above his peers. Instead of following the horse`s typical front-running style, Suraj kept him in the rear group, carefully conserving his energy. This strategic decision proved decisive, as Suraj showed once again why his ability to think on his feet separates him from the rest. With Exuma, Jamari, and the others in tow, Eaton Square set the early pace, while Touch of Grey settled comfortably at the back. But Suraj, after surveying the race, sensed that none of the front-runners had the staying power he knew his mount possessed.

At the six-furlong marker, he made his move, pushing Touch of Grey up the field with such ease that it was clear Suraj had been biding his time perfectly. Touch of Grey was cruising into fourth by the final bend without even breaking a sweat. With tactical finesse, Suraj timed his horse`s final burst to perfection, allowing the horse to sprint away from the field and secure a commanding lead. The brilliance of Suraj`s riding was in full display as Touch of Grey galloped effortlessly to victory, holding off a late rally from High Command, who managed to edge out Julius—a surprise performer given his modest rating and single career win—for second place.

Jamari, despite being well-positioned, failed to fire, fading out in the straight. The extended distance was likely a factor, but it was also clear that Jamari wasn`t at her best after the summer campaign in Bangalore.

In a sport where split-second decisions prove defining moments, Suraj Narredu once again proved why he stands at the pinnacle. With over 100 classic wins to his name, his strategic thinking, instinctive reading of a race, and flawless execution make him a jockey in a league of his own. Touch of Grey`s victory wasn`t just about class—it was a masterclass in riding from a maestro.

Pesi Shroff-trained Cache, the well-bred full brother to Forest Flame, must have a frequent flyer card at the veterinary clinic, having undergone every possible treatment—from tie back, tie forward, to back surgery and beyond. Perhaps this extensive medical history had punters approaching his chances with caution despite his promising run last time out. Meanwhile, Celestina, coming off a forward run, attracted the big-money bets, with Saifa not far behind, firmly in serious betting territory. Cache and Timeless Vision, on the other hand, sat at enticing odds, tempting the risk-takers.

The confidence in Saifa was justified, but lady luck must have been looking the other way. Jockey Nazil, after spending most of the race on the outside, chose to make a move from the inside, hugging the rails, only to find himself boxed in at a crucial moment in the straight, blocked tighter than a Sunday traffic jam as two horses outside of her rolled in. Cache, however, encountered no such issues. He shifted gears in the final furlong in the hands of jockey Vivek G, and stormed clear on the wide outside, leaving the rest in his dust. The lead he built was insurmountable, and despite Saifa`s heroic recovery—after being held up and having to zigzag for space—it was too late to catch Cache. Celestina ran on late but was no match for the two frontrunners. It was Cache`s day to shine.

A roll of the dice might have been as good a strategy as any to pick the winner in the 2000 metres Amazing Grace Trophy, a race where the field seemed united in their shared talent for mediocrity. Rated between 20 and 46, the runners were evenly matched—so much so that a photo finish felt inevitable from the start. Inquilab kicked off as the favourite, with Mansa Musa being the second choice of punters, though the odds on the latter drifted like leaves in the wind. Even Inquilab couldn`t hold the top betting spot, as, for reasons best left to racecourse mysteries, Kimiko suddenly became the apple of the punters` eye.

In the end, however, it was Pesi Shroff trained Alexandros—flying under the radar and ridden by Umesh—who pulled off a neck victory in a thrilling three-horse finish. Fancied favourite Inquilab, aiming for a repeat win, fought hard but had to settle for second, while Black Thunder materialized from nowhere to nearly steal the show. The punters, who may have been clinging to their betting slips with white knuckles, surely enjoyed the adrenaline rush, though most would have preferred a different outcome—since Alexandros wasn`t exactly lighting up their betting screens.

Suraj Narredu, stepping in for Yash Narredu, had Divine Hope setting a decent pace, with Mansa Musa in close pursuit, while the others formed a parade behind, still within striking distance but hardly threatening. Meanwhile, Kimiko and Black Thunder were playing the waiting game, biding their time in the rear. As the horses rounded into the straight, Divine Hope still had the lead, but Mansa Musa began to backslide faster than a new year`s resolution, leaving stablemate Alexandros to pounce. Inquilab rallied for a good fight, and in the final 100 metres, it was a battle royale between the two, with Black Thunder crashing the party late in the game.

Alexandros clung on to win by a neck, with a mere short neck separating Inquilab from Black Thunder in third. Kimiko, fashionably late as always, finished a close fourth, reminding everyone that in horse racing, even the backmarkers can bring the drama.

Trainer Pesi Shroff, who had been having a relatively quiet season, bounced back to form in style, leading in his third winner of the meet with Zuccaro, who made it look easy in the 1600 metres An Acquired Taste Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Shroff had two runners in the field—Zuccaro and Constable—but the former carried the weight of punters` expectations. Favouritism was split between Zuccaro and Break Point, both attracting significant attention.

Fortunate Son set the early pace, closely tracked by Constable, with Break Point, Dream Alliance, Treasure Gold, and Zuccaro settling into their positions behind. As they entered the straight, Constable, after a brief tussle with Fortunate Son, seized the lead. Break Point made a bold attempt to challenge, but just as the race seemed set, Zuccaro made his move on the wide outside, unleashing a blistering turn of foot.

Zuccaro flew past the field, leaving his rivals in his wake, clinching a stylish and commanding victory. Constable held on gamely for second, fending off a fast-finishing Dream Alliance. Break Point, despite a strong early bid, ran out of steam in the final strides, finishing a close fourth, unable to find that extra gear when it was most needed.

It was a race where Zuccaro left no doubt about his class, and Shroff reminded everyone that even in a quiet season, he`s never too far from the winner`s circle!

The sparingly raced five-year-old mare Goomah proved leagues above the modest band of underachievers contesting the 1400 metres Protégé Trophy—a race for horses in refuse to improve category. Goomah, having dropped down a class, was naturally the favourite. However, in a race of this calibre where "form" is a suggestion and the horses are as reliable as a weatherman`s forecast, the odds on Goomah began to drift.

Prince O War, still searching for that elusive first win after 19 attempts attracted some betting attention, as did last-start winner Red Dust. Trevor Patel put Prince O War in charge of setting the pace, with Tyrone Black hovering nearby. The rest, led by Red Dust, were scattered behind, with Goomah, The Flutist, and Fantastic Flare languishing at the rear.

Then came the twist. Jockey Anthony Raj, playing it cool, steered Goomah along the inside, and the daughter of Tenth Star closing the gap in the blink of an eye. She stormed ahead like she`d just remembered she had somewhere better to be. Red Dust tried to give chase but quickly discovered Goomah was in a league of her own. Meanwhile, The Flutist, fashionably late, finished with a burst to claim third. As for Prince O War, he was out of contention the moment the pack decided to get serious.

Trainer Prithviraj, still smarting from the disappointment of Madame Rich`s erratic run along the outer rail in the Leger, faced further frustration as two of his fancied horses suffered defeats—none more agonizing than Chelsea`s whisker-thin loss to Gypsy Soul in the Mayor Baburao Sanas Memorial Trophy Powered by SRS Group, a race for maiden three-year-olds.

Chelsea, sent off as the short-priced favourite, was put on a start-to-finish mission by jockey Ajinkya, with second-favourite Gypsy Soul hot on her heels throughout. Despite holding a slender lead for most of the race, the final 100 metres saw Gypsy Soul draw level. The pair locked in a fierce battle to the wire, with Gypsy Soul just edging ahead to claim a thrilling victory. Dazzling Duchess, meanwhile, finished well to secure third slimmest of margins.

Narendra Lagad`s dominance in the lower-rated category of 1 to 26 continued unabated as Talking Point, fresh off a promising forward run, secured a comfortable victory in the 1200 metres Noble Prince Plate. Ridden by jockey Bhosale, Talking Point tracked Atomic Angel into the straight before effortlessly surging ahead to take control of the race.

Late bids from Khaleesi and the heavily backed Mi Arion proved too little, too late, leaving them to settle for second and third, respectively, as Talking Point strode away for a well-deserved win.