Though it had rained quite heavily the day preceding Saturday’s races, the going did not make a difference to the fortune of form horses. There was give-in in the ground but races ran true to form. Jockey Guruprasad continued his errant ways, with excessive use of the whip on Alluring Bay. The Placerville progeny may not have won without the generous use of the whip but his was a blatant violation of the stipulated eight cracks permitted by the authorities. Guruprasad cannot ride any other way and he may well become the first jockey Indian to be deprived the use of the whip for a full season should he repeat the offence one more time.

Darius Byramji trained Al Dente has been a rousing performer up to a mile. As such, her run in the Maharaja’s Cup over an extended trip, had to be taken with a pinch of salt. It was no surprise that she was the more favoured of the lot to win the 1600 metres J B Mallaradhya Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, the feature event of the day’s races. The Razeen-Ideas And Trends five-year-old race mare Al Dente who had let down each time jockey Aslam Kader was astride in recent times, finally obliged with a tremendous burst of speed, which floored the opposition. Aerobee put up a noteworthy performance, finishing a good second ahead of Bold Chieftan and Torres. Aerobee, which was given away as a two-year old on contingency, has turned out to be a money-spinner for his connections.

Torres raced upfront with Artwork close in attendance while Aslam Kader chose to ride Al Dente well off the pace, in the rear of the field. Artwork took over the running approaching the final bend and though the Razeen progeny had a break of over two lengths over his rivals, she failed to quicken and shot her bolt without as much of a fight. Al Dente flashed with a flourish on the wide outside to go clear in a trice to settle the issue long way from home. Aerobee covered lot of ground in the straight to edge past Bold Chieftan close home to snatch the runner-up spot.

Trainer Ganapathy closed in the lead that Darashah had in the trainers’ championship stakes, with a brace of winners, annexing both the divisions of the Santorini Star Plate, a seven-furlong race for maiden three-year olds. The change of name brought luck to Star Cavalier (late Rich crown) who was unfortunate to loose last time out by a whisker. Star Cavalier came out of the maiden’s ranks in taking style. Full sister to the celebrated Running Flame, Star Cavalier is not in the same league. Aide De Memoire who did the front-running job till turning for home, packed up without a trace.

In the lower division of the same race, Fighting Brave, despite cutting an erratic course after taking charge inside the final 250 metres, proved too good for the opposition. Arjun Mangalorkar’s Royal Russian came in for inspired support but the Green Forest progeny who was tardy at the start, was never in the hunt and the persevering effort of jockey Gallagher only fetched the gelding the third spot behind Altosax. Fighting Brave’s erratic course did not affect his rivals, as he was well clear of the opposition.

It was not Green Forest’s day as several of his progeny who were fancied, did not fare well. Interestingly, the fillies of Green Forest haven’t done well with any degree of consistency. It is the colts that have helped Green Forest enjoy a good record. It came as no surprise when Star of the Crop who had recorded a smashing win in her last outing, ran without hope after a slow getaway. Touch of Silver who had won her last outing, recorded an encore, staving off a strong challenge of Whatmore. Pettalumma who had a troubled passage, nevertheless was a fair third.

Trainer Rashid Byramji wards claimed both the divisions of the Squanderer Plate. Swinging Conquest, who had run an eye-catching second behind Pristine Beauty, smashed the opposition, the drifting odds in the betting ring not having a bearing on the outcome of the race. The Conquering Hero progeny quickened nicely on turning for home and left the field for dead. Bold Premier, who came in for money, ran like a dud. Bin Tin Tin was a suggestive second. In the upper division, the story was different, with the price on Odysseus crashing in a trice. Jockey Appu took the daughter of Ajaad on a successful start to finish mission, with King’s Pride chasing in vain.

Coming back to Guruprasad, his vigorous efforts with the whip enabled Alluring Bay to snatch the verdict by a whisker in a three-horse photo finish. Our Ambition appeared to have stolen a march inside the final 150 metres but Alluring Bay, as is his wont, came charging and nosed ahead. Saffron Finch covered acres of ground but missed the berth by a short head. A short head and a head separated Alluring bay, Saffron Finch and Our Ambition.

Jockey Appu ended the day with a double when he drove out lesser-fancied Mac The Knife to a ridiculously easy win in the Brave Dancer Plate. Favourite Private Pursuit ran without hope. Tal, much to the agony of his connections, once again finished second best. Some horses have this knack of finding one better each time. Apprentice Amit found an all-elusive win, with a neat ride on Blushing Star to get the better of friendless Juarra close home.