The Gr 3 Governor's Cup over 2400 metres was less a horse race and more a royal procession. With only four runners willing to sign up for the assignment, Pesi Shroff-trained Duke of Tuscany looked as though he had turned up merely to collect a cheque that already had his name on it. The others were effectively racing among themselves for the minor money.

Content to loiter at the rear while the rest busied themselves with make-believe ambitions, Duke of Tuscany sauntered into contention around the final bend and, once jockey Vivek gave him a gentle reminder that there was indeed a race to be won, breezed past the field without breaking into serious labour. Victor Hugo stayed on for second ahead of long-time leader Moon Star, while Queen of Kings continued her alarming loss of form with an uninspiring fourth.

The 1200 metres Mamma's Mink Plate for maiden three-year-olds provided far more entertainment than the feature. Perfect Dream started favourite but the dream quickly developed cracks and ended somewhere between fantasy and fiction. Eminent Gold, patiently ridden in midfield, produced a determined late surge to deny the fast-finishing Teak by a diminishing long neck. Making her debut, Teak looked rather green early, then suddenly discovered she was a racehorse in the straight, only to lose precious momentum when forced to switch out for a clear run. Personal Legend also finished with purpose to claim third in a three-way thriller.

The 1400 metres Raja of Bobbili Memorial Trophy saw Aquamatic, from Azhar Ali's yard, justify sustained market confidence. Long shot Invincible tried the age-old "catch me if you can" routine, but the invitation expired inside the final furlong as Aquamatic swept past under Akshay Kumar. Star Comet finished third, while the well-supported Absolute Force discovered that reputation alone cannot pull a horse home and faded into an underwhelming fourth.

The Karnataka Police Trophy over 1400 metres produced another exciting finish. Ashwa New York, ridden by R N Darshan, came with a perfectly timed challenge after being angled off the rails in the last 100 metres to collar Jolie's Star, who had looked home and dry. Favourite Regal Beauty failed to live up to either half of her name, never looking regal and certainly not beautiful in defeat. Gifted Falcon was third, while fancied Queendom also failed to make her presence felt.

The bookmakers seemed to know something in the six-furlong contest as Honeypot, trained by Narayan Gowda, attracted spirited support and rewarded every believer. Favourite Jailer, from Gregory Sandhu's stable, once again failed to keep order, adding another chapter to the stable's growing anthology of beaten favourites. Honeypot simply bounded to the front, turned the race into a solo exhibition and stretched clear by seven lengths. Jailer could only play the reluctant escort home in second, with Khazana third. Having used a mile as a fitness drill in her previous start, the drop back to six furlongs suited Honeypot perfectly.

The Amazing Grace Plate (Division I) produced a finish worthy of its name. Double Scotch appeared to have pinched the race after opening up a handsome lead entering the final furlong, but just when his supporters were reaching for their wallets, Lex Luthor, trained by Kishan Thomas, emerged from the rear like a comic-book villain arriving fashionably late to snatch victory in the dying strides. Friya finished third.

The lower division belonged entirely to Sling Shot, who lived up to his name by shooting clear early in the straight and never looking back. The Praveen Jessu-trained runner easily accounted for Embosom and Infinite Spirit, while favourite Dr Colchester produced the sort of performance best described as medically unfit.

The lower division of the Flirting Vision Plate produced another upset as Doncaster Belle, returning after a break of more than 280 days and with retirement reportedly under consideration, rediscovered her zest at the right time. Seizing the initiative early in the straight, she galloped on gamely to repel the late challenge of Rocking Star. Favourite Preview promised plenty while leading but, like a movie trailer that revealed the best scenes too early, faded tamely on the home turn, handing Suraj Narredu yet another favourite that failed to read the script.

The day's final disappointment came in the Flirting Vision Plate (Division I) where heavily backed Deep Respect, from Satish Narredu's yard, failed to command either respect or results. Suraj Narredu's difficult season continued as the favourite never threatened. Instead, Vibrant Queen, trained by Pradeep Annaiah and ridden positively by apprentice Anish Anamo Hangal, made every post a winning one at rewarding odds. Carat Love maintained her admirable consistency with another runner-up finish, while Deep Respect left punters wondering whether respect, unlike confidence, has to be earned every time.