Adhirajsingh Jodha trained Thundering Phoenix chose the P D Bolton Trophy to stage a timely identity parade, winning the 1400 metre event for horses rated 60 to 86 with authority on Thursday. His Bangalore form had hinted at ability, his earlier Pune run looked like it belonged to a different horse entirely, yet he was still sent off second favourite at odds that now read like a festive offer. Aman Altaf Hussain’s Fourth Wing, backed as though the result was a foregone conclusion, handled the early publicity tour in front. Once Thundering Phoenix arrived with intent, Fourth Wing discovered the cupboard was out of extra gears and surrendered without negotiation. Earth ran on for third. Singer Sergent, previously impressive, filed a quiet report and finished second last.

Apprentice Siddharth, enjoying a productive spell, produced a ride on hot favourite Foxy in the Byram N Jeejeebhoy Trophy for horses rated 40 to 66 that will be replayed often and explained carefully. Foxy missed a brisk start, covered more geography than necessary, swung wide at the bend, and finished even wider, as if avoiding traffic that did not exist. Even after the scenic route, she was beaten only three lengths by surprise winner Azure. The stewards opened an enquiry, a polite institutional way of saying eyebrows were raised. Easter Monarch and Storm Cloud ran honest races behind the winner. Foxy finished fourth and, with a more conventional trip, would likely have turned this into a procession rather than a puzzle.

Malesh Narredu’s Enrich came to the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy for three-year-old maidens looking like a well briefed candidate who had seen the question paper in advance. When Staria brought them into the straight, Enrich accelerated with purpose and closed the matter neatly. Cherubine issued a short lived challenge before settling for second and remains a notebook horse for next time. Staria saved place money from Red Rose, who missed by the margin of a sigh. The winner appears a good type of a youngster.

Imtiaz Sait completed a double, with Bright Button asserting superiority in the 2000 metres W Buckly Plate for the lowest category. Maratha Admiral attempted the brave theft from the front, Viking joined the argument, but Bright Button ended the debate with emphasis. The rider of Ma Cherie objected against the second and third places horses for interference while chasing second. The objection was reviewed and dismissed briskly.

Nazak Chenoy’s Skandha, runner up to Charlie Brown last time, started a cramped favourite in the M M T Pandole Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 and behaved exactly like one should. Jockey T S Jodha slipped through on the rails with perfect timing and zero drama, and Skandha scored comfortably from Commanchero and Mriga, giving favourite backers a rare stress free afternoon.

The M D Mehta Trophy for maiden three year olds nearly produced a headline ambush before favourite Latios justified huge expectations. Yash Narredu had to get persuasive, firm, and repetitive in the saddle as Latios edged past Lucky Diamond and Dream Come True in a three way finish packed finish.

The opener, the Raza Ali Plate over 1400 metres, for horses in the lowest category, served up proper drama. Favourite Alexandria got up by a nose over 10 year old Luminosity, who nearly rolled back both years and rivals. Money came for both sides, suggesting divided public opinion and united bookmaker anxiety. Apprentice Bharath Singh judged it well and kicked clear after overhauling the front running We Still Believe, only to be collared late by a far more urgent Siddharth, who delivered a finish that looked like redemption with reins. Alexandria prevailed narrowly, We Still Believe was third, and the margin between victory and nostalgia was exactly one nose.