Lyrical Symphony (Placerville – Lyrical Fantasy) came alive with a splendid performance to win yet again over her pet distance and stretch her winning tally at Mumbai at the cost of favourite Lake Michigan to clinch the Aziz Ahmedbhoy Trophy in a two-way thriller. Lake Michigan tried her best and went for it from the start. The pace was a slow one for the mile-long trip and Lake Michigan was at the helm throughout, but at the all important last stride.

The four-horse field literally crawled through the first half of the race. Even on turning for home, all the four deliberated opening up until well past the final 400 mark. Then it all started to happen. Lake Michigan pushed for home, Lyrical Symphony shifted to the top gear while Scholar and Living The Dream too got closer and looked interested. The four were almost together at the distance post and it looked like anybody’s race with all four seemingly in a good position.

Lake Michigan and Lyrical Symphony pulled away from the other two in the last 100 or so and the battle for superiority was confined to them alone. Both went stride for stride engaged in a grim battle. Lyrical Symphony inflicted the agonizing killer blow literally on the wire to gain a ‘short-head verdict in her favour with a bob of the head. Lake Michigan was unfortunate to have lost out to her senior on the last stride, as she had done everything right until the final moment. Lyrical Symphony showed that she had got back into shape with her earlier outing and made this one count.

Trainer MK Jadhav helped himself to a trophy double when he saddled Daffodils (Senure – Love Call) for the Edgar DeSylva Trophy. This was a well fought out victory for Daffodils as he surfaced from the rear to get Mystic Temple just when the latter looked to have pulled it off. In fact both, Daffodils and Mystic Temple were in the rear as they turned for home.

Glorious Miss was the one who led them into the straight. Moment To Remember, Saba and Gloria were fighting to remain in contention when Creme De La Creme began to show herself up. Mystica Temple made a decisive forward surge at the distance post and travelled at a brisk pace to soon march ahead. Daffodils took a wee bit more time to unleash his final fury and did it in the nick of time. He came swooping down on Mystic Temple and snatched victory with a lively final fury. Glorious Miss ran a good forward race and ended third, just ahead of stable companion Creme De La Creme.

Spook (Warrshan – Starry) finally came good and scored his maiden victory in style. He glided to victory without as much as giving his rivals a ‘ghost’ of a chance. He took a call right at the start when he surged past Mountain Warrior soon on start. Once he the lead, Spook left nothing to chance and dictated his own terms all the way. He worked up a yawning gap entering the straight, with the rest struggling to keep pace. Spook galloped on to achieve his goal with aplomb and looked far superior to his rivals. Gossip made a late bid but by that time Spook was well out of reach. Mountain Warrior just could not hold Gossip and ended half a length behind Gossip to end third.

Trainer Bezan Chenoy too scored a fine double with Great White and Sugar Loaf.

Great White (China Visit – Silver Toy) ably assisted by YS Srinath came up trumps in a gripping battle with Eye of the Storm. The pair fought out the final furlong and both were up to the task. Favourite Stardom Bound was humbled long before and could only take the third spot with a late run beating a tiring Zaracha, who too looked in contention at the distance post. Eye of the Storm and Great White made their final move at the identical juncture and fought out the issue between them, pulling away from the rest. They were stuck together and only in the final few strides Great White grew stronger and stretched out to win by a narrow margin.       

Bezan’s Sugar Loaf (Diffident – Rave) on the contrary, pulled off an easy victory with a sensational gallop in the homestretch. Scintillating Star and Stuntacular brought the field into the straight and soon Sugar Loaf improved from the fifth position to sail past the leader with a fiery gallop and looked the winner long way from home. Star Builder gained ground only in the final furlong to end a tame second. Etesian looked promising coming into the final furlong but was overwhelmed by the fast finishing Ocean Sonata who ran well to run into place money pegging back Etesian.

Equiano (Toubugg – Gentle Dame) was the day’s shortest priced winner and it came as huge relief when he managed to pip a stubborn Savage Garden on the post. Savage Garden had led the field right from the outset and once they turned for home, Savage Garden quickened nicely to establish a handy lead. Jockey David Allan was coxing Equiano to lunge forward which is when Equiano started to gain ground. But the progress was not as quick as was anticipated. Equiano got the measure of Red Sensation without sweat, but the real task was to cut the seemingly massive lead that Savage Garden had established.

It was in the final furlong that Equiano actually started to bridge the gap, but he was doing so painstakingly. Even with less than 100 to go, Equiano’s huge number of followers were on the edge as it looked still wide open with Savage Garden showing no signs of relenting. Allan got even more aggressive and managed to save the day for the favourite to the relief and cheer among the crowds. Savage Garden ran a brave race too and was gallant in defeat. Honey Bee and By The Way appeared late on the scene and both finished together with the former taking the place money.

Star Lady (Sendawar – Sopran Cini) looked a million dollars in the paddock and served as a bearer check. Her paddock looks had everything it takes to spot a winner. She complemented her paddock appearance by dishing out an emphatic victory without toil.

Mypethoney made all the initial running and surrendered soon coming into the straight. Wells Fargo made his move from the inner rails while Hughes started to devour ground from the outside. Star Lady was travelling on a tight rein for most of the while and when Hughes gave her to go ahead, Star Lady lapped up the turf, stretching away from her rivals in quick time. Daredevil tried hard but could do no more than end a decent third behind Wells Fargo. Fairy Queen ran on to end in the frame. Star Lady put in a starry performance and looks good to add another in her next outing as well.

The other star of the day to put in an equally good performance was Star of Zoltan (Warrshan – Sweet As Candy). While Electra was the market rage, Star of Zoltan garnered privileged support. On the turf, Firemiss took over from early leader Teodor and started to drift under pressure. Electra, who was close behind, yet could not capitalise on the erratic ways of Firemiss and was not gaining at all. Star of Zoltan, who was racing closer to the ones in the rear, improved gradually and picked up momentum in the final furlong. He produced a sustained gallop to pass them all with ease and registered an authoritative victory. He simply shot away from them and won increasing the margin of victory. Firemiss was completely outpaced as was Electra.  

Native Lady (Warrshan – Outtostealthescene) was quick at the jump and settled behind the leader Matilda who attempted it start to finish but failed to sustained. The others followed in a close bunch, not too far away.

As they turned for home, Matilda showed no signs of retiring as she kept going for a while. Native Lady was biding her time while Smooth Operator improved rapidly on the outside. Crowned Princess was prominent but could not raise a worthy gallop. They were closely huddled at the distance post, but Native Lady emerged closer to the finish to stretch out and win narrowly from Smooth Operator. Matilda held on grimly to stave off Viva La Diva’s late attempt to earn the place money.    

Kalinga Star (Ikhtyar – Hunan) ran himself into form in the mock race and powered his way to a huge victory with an impressive margin. Settling into the third spot behind Radical Mackie and Cavalryman, Kalinga Star shot ahead with impressive strides and sewed up the race as early as at the distance post. He darted past Radical Mackie with ridiculous ease and romped home to post the most facile victory by the longest margin for the day. Radical Mackie although thoroughly overwhelmed, stayed put to take the runner-up berth from Cavalryman.

There were quite a few better performances on the day from the professionals, as trainers Bezan Chenoy and MK Jadhav saddled a double each. Jockeys Dashrath Singh and P Trevor both scored a brace as well.