Jockey Sandesh Akhade joined the coveted list of Indian jockeys who have completed riding 1000 winners when he drove out Flying Visit aggressively to contain the challenge of favourite Cosmic Ray in the Gr 3 1600 metres Rusi Patel Trophy, a terms race four-year-olds and over, one of the important races of the Indian Derby races held on Sunday at the Mahalakshmi. Sandesh rode like one possessed to achieve the landmark on the big day.

Cosmic Ray who had narrowly failed to win the Indian 1000 Guineas was the strong favourite to win the race though she was out handicapped going by the mere rating of the horses in the fray. The others in the fray were much higher rated than her but then Cosmic Ray hadn`t run in handicap races to boost the mark. Bateleur did the pace setting with Flying Visit in the chase followed by Auburn, Cosmic Ray and the rest. Inside the final 300 metres, Flying Visit managed to go ahead of Bateleur with Cosmic Ray joining the issue. The two fought a thriller all the way in the final furlong with Sandesh never conceding the initiative all through the fight and managing to get his horse to maintain his winning streak by a neck. Trevor on Cosmic Ray did his best but that was not good enough to fetch the desired result.

It was celebration time for the jockey from Matheran. From humbling beginnings, Sandesh has climbed the ladder of success with his commitment and passion. Sandesh is one of the top jockeys in India and is known for his strong riding. One hopes that he keeps the focus on achieving many more laurels in the coming years.

On a day when the Bangalore challengers dominated in the plum events, Sulaiman Attaollahi trained Forest Flame registered a superb win in the Gr 3 Ebco Worksmart Breeders` Produce Stakes, a terms race for three-year-olds. Forest Flame who had impressed in her debut win at Bangalore was backed down to favouritism after the favourite Monarchos did not impress in the paddock looks, sweating profusely and wasting nervous energy being highly fractious. From a handy fourth position at the final turn, Forest Flame in the hands of jockey David Egan shot through on the outside of Benghazi with 300 metres left in the race and left the others stranded, winning by a widening margin of nine lengths over the late rallying Rubik Star and Super Girl. Monarchos was never in the hunt finishing a poor fourth while another fancied runner Rani Jindan packed up under pressure to eventually finish a dismal last.

On a day when the progeny of Leitir Mor scorched the turf, Padmanabhan trained Golden Oaks was an impressive winner of the 1200 metres B K Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million, a race for maiden three-year-olds. David Allan pushed the speedy Golden Oaks to take charge from the wide outside draw and the favourite was under no pressure from others as he checked in comfortably clear of El Captain to win in a good timing of one minute 10.8 seconds. Joaquin was third.

Malesh Narredu trained Giant Star made a winning debut in the 1600 metres Dr M A M Ramaswamy Multi-Million, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Giant Star came into strong contention inside the final 300 metres as he produced an excellent turn of foot despite going drifting out under pressure and won by a comfortable margin of over lengths. Taimur who was the long-time leader stayed on to take the second position ahead of Wind Whistler. Favourite Pissaro performed poorly and finished in the ruck.

Sandesh had it easy on the speedy Kildare in the 1200 metres Padmini & Gobind Jhangiani Million, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Kildare had the race in control in the final furlong and had no problem in staving off the late bid of stablemate Dandi March. Questina ran on to take the third position.

The day`s concluding race of the day, the 1000 metres Tattersalls Million, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 produced a thrilling finish, David Egan getting the lesser fancied Hidden Gold to produce a powerful run on the wide outside to snatch the verdict in thrilling fashion. Coper Queen and Mighty Warrior were settling the issue among themselves when Hidden Gold put paid to their hopes with a blistering run.