The Jaspal Enterprises Sprint Million was the ideal lead-up to the Radio Mirchi Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr1). It had the apt sparkle to set the course for the first Indian Classic of the season and served as an ideal complement. Just like the Guineas, the sprint Million too wore an open look. Ten runners were in the fray for this event. Elizabeth garnered good support as did Forest Flair and Attila. Ancient Wonder was the only other horse quoted in single digits (8/1).

Attila took over the running soon on settling down and was closely followed by the rest of the bunch. Closest to him was Forest Flair, huddled up with Bullet, Demonstrator, Ancient Wonder and Weizhou. Elizabeth was rallying further behind. Once into the straight, Attila kicked on and stayed ahead of Bullet who was making headway. Forest Flair had nothing to counter and fell back, as did Weizhou and Star Future. Ancient Wonder was not taken notice of until they hit the distance post. Jockey Daniel Grant produced Ancient Wonder from the outside and simply sailed past Attila and Bullet with commendable ease. Elizabeth did cover some ground and got close enough to catch a place in the frame, but never really ran as she is known to run. This run is best discounted as a bad day at work.

Owner Haresh Mehta was overjoyed. “I always believed he had it in him and his last Pune victory vindicated my faith. He had his share of setbacks and you saw what he can do when all is well with him. Mansoor sorted out his problems and I won’t say this win was not expected. I am happy he has come back this way,” he said.  

For trainer Mansoor Shah, this was a great success. “To tell you honestly, I did perceive that I would meet you on the race track for this interview. I actually saw myself giving the winner’s quote to you and I had told my family and friends about this very positive feeling. I am happy it has come true,” he said. When I asked him about what were the setbacks Mr Haresh Mehta was talking about, Mansoor said, “He has this conformation defect. His feet are not aligned, he is a bit of what they term dickey legged. He had to be trained differently and he has adapted well to my methods. He picked up well in Pune and between the two centres he has compiled a hat-trick now. Although he has won all his races thus far over 7 furlongs, I still believe he is best distance is six (furlongs).”

After all the jubilation for winning the Million, there was one agonising moment for Mansoor Shah. His was one of the two forms that had correctly nominated the first three placing for the race, which offered a Skoda Fabia car as the Grand Prize. Mansoor’s luck didn’t hold and Super Star Dharmendra picked the only other form in the box as the other entrant won the car. Ideal case of ‘win some, lose some!’

The presentation honours were done by iconic hero Dharmendra who was accompanied by MLA Ram Kadam of the MNS on the podium with Mr Kishore Dingra and Jasvinder Singh Banwait, directors of Jaspal Enterprises Pvt Ltd. The crowds cheered their Hero and Dharmendra was visibly touched by the reception from the crowd. He thanked them for their warmth and affection bestowed on him while revealing that this was his first appearance at the racecourse.

Blackjack (Alnasr Alwasheek – Academy) came into her own and toyed with the opposition flaunting her superiority in no uncertain terms. That the odds drifted to 6/4 showed that there were those who felt her fitness or bleeding past was still under cloud. However, Blackjack strode out majestically to score an emphatic win mocking at the doubting Thomases.

Moon Flower took to the lead and Blackjack settled in the third just behind Desert Rule. Once they turned for home, Blackjack bounded forward, full of running and stretched out to the front working up a commanding lead coming into the final furlong. She galloped on to stay comfortably ahead of Moon Flower. Venus Rosewater ran on to end a good third. Star Warrior was prominent coming into the straight, but could not forge ahead. Scarface started the way he often does, sluggish and tardy, but did not finish in his astonishing manner.

Scarlet Pimpernel (Hold That Tiger – Margarita Rita) picked up the last race of the day – the Uttam Singh Trophy in honour of the fillies’ man, in an impressive fashion. He put in a sustained run through the inner rails and kept passing horse after horse to surface from the rear and win easing up. Prince of Troy managed to get that close due to the fact that jockey Anthony Crastus eased up the Shroff ward quite a few meters from the winning post. Scarlet Pimpernel has touched peak form and looked good to pick up more races in the season.  

Tag Along Tommy (Duja – Malaga Cove) won end to end and brought home the Eleven Brandworks Cup foxing the others in the process. Iswar Pardeshi taking advantage of the 5 kilo allowance to the hilt, shot ahead straight from the gates and soon built a handy lead. He entered the straight with a lot to bargain with and did not let down his guard. Visionaire, the prime favourite was in for a shock when Tag Along Tommy went about his pace and did not loosen his grip at any point of time, carrying on all the way to the wire. Last Tango fought on bravely to end alongside Visionaire.

Angels Quest (Emerald Cat – Andilisa) lived up to her last race promise and delivered as expected but not without some anxiety. Angels Quest was quick at start and darted into the lead with Halle, Winter Wind and Victorious March in close attendance. As they turned for home, Angels Quest was firmly in command, working up a nice momentum and held the upper hand even as they struck the distance post. Halle and Winter Wind were not making any impact on the leader. Victorious March began to inch closer with a sustained run but seemed undecided as to which way to go as Angels Quest was running green. That’s when the trouble began, with 150 m to go, Angels Quest shifted out alarmingly and this almost cost her the race. Victorious March all but capitalised on the flaw. Luckily Angels Quest did not lose momentum and held on to win by 3/4 L. Hawk of the Wind finished on powerfully but he too was erratic while pegging back Halle for the third spot.

Stromboli (Bertolini – My Hansel) won the MN Nazir Trophy providing trainer Pesi Shroff his first of three winners on the day. Snow Blaze led from the start and led them into the straight. Stromboli improved position from the initial fifth to second at the top of the straight. Snow Blaze was still ahead by more than two lengths when Stromboli, ignited by Anthony Crastus, accelerated and quickly wiped off the deficit between 400 and 200 meter markers. There on, she took off and surged ahead. Lake Geneva was last at turn, but she too came up well in the homestretch and even came alongside Stromboli. The Dr Vijay Mallya owned filly however, had it all under control and duly compiled her second victory in three outings.

Rancho was a big disappointment in the first race of the day. The hot favourite was too late to dish out his best and this cost him the race. Jen’s Glory called the early shots and led the field all the way into the straight. Cogito Ergo Sum (Key of Luck – Highshaan) improved nicely to be one behind the leader passing the 400m. Rancho was still languishing behind and only started to show a forward surge past the distance post. By then, Jen’s Glory was fighting hard to wrest back the initiative from Cogito Ergo Sum. The duo battled hard and Neeraj Rawal pushed for home to win a gripping battle. Rancho covered ground to finish on their haunches. Rancho has only to show enough brain to match his brawn and that will ensure he won’t stay a maiden for too long.

For the professionals, Pesi Shroff was the star of the day, picking up a fine treble which included the Radio Mirchi Indian 1000 Guineas. Jockeys Anthony Crastus and Daniel Grant powered home a double each.