Just as the punters were celebrating their good luck the previous day, favorites played truant on Thursday though the winners themselves had credentials to win. Punters were misled by the sudden surge in money on horses with lesser merit which resulted in the odds on the horses with stronger form running as lesser fancied runners Three trainers, Bobby, Sajid Quereshi and C V G K Kishore saddled two winners each while jockey S John booted home two winners.

Rising Queen garnered the most support in the feature event, the Varahi Cup on her good forward run last time out where she had finished third behind Bucethalis in a terms race. The low handicap in ordinary company saw her being backed to the exclusion of her rivals. Rising Queen quickened along the rails with a furlong out to raise hopes but last outing winner Much More came home with a big run and won pulling up. There was a cluster finish behind, with Rising Queen losing places in a trice to finish fourth. Rank outsider The Rolls finished a notable second. Nice Guy was prominent right through the race and finished third. The fact that he burst his blood vessels might have been the reason for him to slacken at the finish and end up third.

The upper division of the Serengeti Plate saw the odds drifting out alarmingly on Red Dawn who had the best credentials to win. Gris Rapide came in for spirited support but his run was pathetic as after a lethargic start, he was rushed to the front and packed up after entering the homestretch. Red Dawn, who was held up till the final 250 metres, picked up speed tremendously and went sailing clear to win as he pleased from the consistent Tina’s Triumph and Cannon Scot. Join The Party who came in for spirited support but was out of contention before the race came on the boil.

Place Her Well came good in the lower division of the Serengeti Plate. The change of tactics on Place Her Well brought out the best in her. Unlike previous occasions she was held back in third position and then fought a grim battle with Miss Ruby in the homestretch before going clear inside the shadow of the post. Native Strategy who was backed down spiritedly, missed the kick and never gave hopes to his supporters.

Good Speed who seemed to be out for an airing last time when he was seen finishing on behind Miss Ruby obliged as a joint favourite. Bipin Salvi trained Winning Tale started as a firm favourite but the drifting odds had its own tale to tell. Good Speed took charge of the proceedings inside the final 300 metres and despite drifting out of a straight course, was well clear of the rest. Winning Tale struggled to get a favorable position and ran on to finish a tame fourth. In fact, the followers of Bipin Salvi ended up with holes in their pocket.

Masurathi defied the five kg penalty to score an encore. Masurathi who ran behind Witch Doctor all the way, travelled in the middle of the track entering the home stretch and easily overwhelmed the front running Witch Doctor by a neck. Solitary Champ found the weight a stopper and finished third. On Call who was lodged the favorite for no apparent reason was not spoted.

Romantic Design who had failed when lodged as favourite sprouted wings as it were at nourishing odds to win the opener convincingly. Unlike last time out he was in second position right from the start and made a forward surge before the final bend and made the race no contest thereafter. Bold Success, who was lethargic at the gates, made up lost ground rapidly but found the winner too good. Miss Mexico was unable to defy the penalty for her last win and finished a tame third.