If the Audelade Sunday ignited the Mumbai Season, Gitanjali provided the surge, as Mumbai racing paced ahead stepping up a couple of knots. Sunday at the Mahalaxmi was as entertaining as can be, with action, both on and off the track coming to a boil. The stars of the equine kind played up to the galleries with some nail-biting finishes. Relic Hunter, however, won the day’s major event – The Gitanjali Juvenile Million with a splendid run with surprising ease. The over-three-length margin was the longest for the day.

Relic Hunter (Bertolini – Ash Moon) capitalised on the solitary run experience he had and ran with a strong purpose with Danny Grant on board. Relic Hunter had some ground to cover, as the initial leaders Winds of Fortune, Astromia and Angels Quest had darted ahead and were at an early advantage. Relic Hunter narrowed the gap while at the turn and came within striking distance when they straightened for home.

Winds of Fortune and Astromia were fighting each other off while Angels Quest was stuck on the rails. Amazing Desire was close behind but was not quickening at that stage. Relic Hunter was on the wider out and when Grant alerted him, Relic Hunter did not take too long to respond to the call. Relic Hunter powered his way to the front past the distance post and when he shot by at full throttle, none could match his final dazzle. He tore away in a flash and romped home in style displaying a Million rupee run. Astromia tried hard but could not bring out that extra bit, going down tamely in the end. Angels Quest, on the other hand, had to be checked then switched out, yet managed to re-run and peg back Astromia for the place money. Amazing Desire built on hisearly front position and did well to take the runner-up berth.

Stars have known to attract most attention and the classy Vidya Balan added more credence to that statement. She arrived on time and the entourage of security personnel had a tough time keeping admirers at bay. She was warm, noticeably polite and the ever present captivating smile emitting humility and abundant regard for the reason she was present. If there was ever one down-to-earth Bollywood bigwig, it would have to be Ms Vidya Balan. She was considerate to the crowd, waved at them warmly and also changed her language of address to Hindi when the demand was voiced. She obliged every camera in the vicinity and even provided valuable bytes for the electronic media, all without any airs. She witnessed the race – The Dirty Picture Trophy from the Governor’s box along with Mr Vivek Jain and Mr Milan Luthria, the director of the film.

Conztanza shot into the lead soon on start and went at a cracking pace. Kaskazi, Wild Imagination and Crowned Princess were closest to the leader and the rest were closely huddled too with Bold Dancer trailing the field. Conztanza kicked on even as the others behind him were trying to put pressure on the leader. Kaskazi fell back as did Laurus Tikati, the latter making a ‘guest appearance’ before finishing one off the frame. Zaracha was trying hard to be caught on camera and was only just managing to do so, but towards the edge of the screen. None seemed to make an impact on Conztanza.

Meanwhile, Bold Dancer (Glory of Dancer – Gentle and Bold), who entered the homestretch last of all, was knocking on several doors to make his path ahead. He kept switching course ever so slightly until he found the gap he was looking for inside the final furlong.

The climax of every well-made movie is supposed to be thrilling. Well, no script could have provided for more thrill than one that Bold Dancer wrote for himself. Jockey F Irani, whose wait for an elusive victory could not have been longer, burst through like a hero would (tearing through a poster would be too filmy?) and provided a stunning climax!

The audience were stunned alright! Not Irani. “He was travelling too well. Even though I was last into the straight, I was confident of winning. It was only a matter of time and gap. Once he got his ground there was no stopping him,” said the mighty thrilled jockey. “This win has come after a five year break,” he added on a triumphant note.

The paddock, needless to say, was over crowded. Vidya Balan and Milan Luthria along with Mr Vivek Jain and Mr Champaklal Zaveri were on the presentation podium to give away the Dirty Picture Trophy. Vidya Balan and Milan Luthria did the presentation honours. A gleeful Mansoor Shah proudly received the trophy on behalf of the owners, Dr and Mrs Chintamaneni.

“It is a pleasure to be here and I personally urge you all to watch the Dirty Picture in the cinema halls on its release, wont you?” said Ms Vidya Balan. The crowd demanded she address them in Hindi which she readily obliged. “The movie also among other things depicts a south Indian actress ‘Silk’ Smitha who was herself a ‘bold dancer’. So it was fitting that Bold Dancer won, in fact I strongly feel Bold Dancer had to win,” she stressed, this time in hindi. Anyone who knew Silk Smitha would easily appreciate the irony. Bold Dancer certainly complemented the late dancing actor.

Thus, the Dirty Picture panned out as an almost perfect picture. Even the title was played to the hilt in the manner of the final finishing gallop of Bold Dancer. In his eagerness, Irani failed to keep a straight course, causing enough hindrance to Crowned Princess for Rajendra to lodge an unsuccessful objection!

Black Magic Woman (Placerville – One Magic Moment) came from the brink to snatch the verdict on the last stride to win the Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy. The way Forest Flair was ripping ahead on turning for home, Black Magic Woman needed to spin out a miracle, particularly as she was stuck for room for a brief, but an agonizing while. She was last of five all the way into the straight and thereafter was flanked by Demonstrator along the rails and Kilifi on the outside. Kilifi shifted out under pressure and Black Magic Woman seized the opportunity and quickened at once. She had still to bring down the deficit. Forest Flair looked good all the way until the final stride. Black Magic Woman had cast her spell and snatched the verdict on the post.

Lake paradise (Razeen – Society Dream) and Haunting Fantasy provided a keen final furlong in the Sir HM Mehta Trophy. Ariane was never in the hunt and Deep Purple had no answer to the blazing finish that Lake Paradise and Haunting Fantasy were about to unleash. Lake Paradise settled to track Deep Purple while Haunting Fantasy raced in the rear just behind Ariane.

The fight began inside the final 400 which is when Lake Paradise took charge from Deep Purple. Haunting Fantasy bridged the gap briskly and was on the tail of Lake Paradise. Jockey Srinath was vigorous and was riding out, aware that Haunting Fantasy was breathing down his neck. Inside the final furlong, Lake Paradise shifted out and in the bargain moved in front of Haunting Fantasy. The latter appeared to have been taken aback a trifle and jockey Dashrath looked confused and switched to the inside, more on impulse than need. That uncalled for move, made it appear that Lake Paradise, in the end, had stretched away. An objection by Dashrath was deliberated and the stewards finally overruled the objection.

Cardinal (Placerville – Haunting Beauty) duly kept his date with victory with a sweat less start-to-finish victory. Cardinal moved well throughout and Afsoon did well not to be completely outclassed. She tagged Cardinal all the way and definitely put a lot more effort to stay as close to Cardinal as possible. The final verdict of under two-lengths would have been satisfactory for both contenders.

Arzaan set off the day on an electric note and fought his way to an on-the-wire victory. Prince Brijendra had stolen a march and was going well coming into the final furlong. Arzaan started to gain ground along the rails and caught up with Prince Rajendra. The duo battled hard but a gritty Arzan well ridden by Zervan managed to pip Prince Brijendra on the post. Prince Brijendra was guilty of drifting out at the crucial stages of the race.

Mansoor Shah produced another bolt from his stable when he stumped ‘em all with Small Treasure (Alnasr Alwasheek – Tresured), again a Chintamaneni property. Taking the jump quick and settling behind the leader Flash Forward, Small Treasure travelled well all through. Flash Forward held on his own until Small Treasure aborted his start to finish essay and pegged him back convincingly in the final 100 meters. Flash Forward did everything in his capacity to fight the challenger off, but Small Treasure was determined and toppled the favourite close home. Firemiss did well to take the place money ahead of Peregrine Falcon.

Trainer Mansoor Shah was the lone professional to score a double.