On a day when favourites strutted around like entitled ones and actually lived up to the hype (for once), Leo D`Silva`s Glorious Power decided to gatecrash the party. In the 1200 metres Be My Guest Plate—the day`s top-rated race—this four-year-old filly didn`t just win, she mugged the favourites in broad daylight, proving that expectations in the betting ring are often like weather forecasts.

The punters, of course, were busy chasing smoke signals. Crimson Flame, who had flown late last time, was bet on as if he`d sprout wings this time. My Challenge, Exclusive Black, and Clara also enjoyed their own fan clubs, despite lugging penalty weights for their recent successes. But along came Sonu Kumar—apprentice in designation but master in execution—who timed Glorious Power`s run to perfection. Exclusive Black briefly looked like he`d nicked it, only for Glorious Power to swoop in with a late charge. Clara huffed and puffed but missed second place by a neck, while My Challenge offered the kind of “false hopes” that only punters know too well—the ones that ruin lunches and bank balances.

Sonu Kumar wasn`t done yet. Riding like a man who had suddenly discovered an extra gear of his own, he piloted Shashikanth`s Colt Pistol to a cracking win in the Land of Glory Plate (Div I). Eminency and Cosmico had been the darlings of the ring. Cosmico even surged ahead and held the lead until Colt Pistol came flying late. Shubhrak ran on well enough to make notebook scribblers happy.

Then came Sonu Kumar`s hat-trick. Aboard the once-disappointing Blue Pantheress, he turned what had been punters` heartbreak last time into a demolition job this time. Inderdhanush tried to burn the track from the front but folded when Blue Pantheress arrived, storming past to win by five widening lengths. Lights On and Briar Ride tried to make cameos but ended up as extras in a Pantheress parade.

Elsewhere, Magan Singh Parmar`s State Man didn`t bother with drama. After a forward run previously, this time he went through a neat gap on the rails under Mukesh Kumar and said, “Thank you very much.” The colt then waltzed home by four lengths in the Beloved Prince Plate (Div I). Arizona Sun and Gusto`s Baby followed like reluctant understudies, while Vedanta—despite support—was missing in action.

Satheesh-trained Bestie then proved the name wasn`t ironic by doing exactly what punters expected. After Sharanga did all the front-running legwork, Bestie waltzed by in the hands of Akshay Kumar and sealed it without fuss. Konaseema plodded in third, collecting the crumbs.

The day`s opener was less a race and more a solo art performance, courtesy of Sandeep`s Fortune Art in the Star of Gwalior Plate. With no whips allowed, some feared chaos; instead, Ashhad Asbar turned it into a glorified morning canter. He bounced Fortune Art to the front, parked there like he`d paid rent, and coasted home with a grin. Torrentina huffed and puffed but was upstaged when Flashing Memories beat her for second. Fortune Art won with such ease, one suspects she runs better without a whip.