Imran Chisty was the professional of the day with some superlative riding winning three races which included both the trophy races of the day, The HR Shantidas and The NM Irani Trophy. Moon Star (Royal Kingdom – Au Revoir), the hot favourite for The Shantidas Trophy was going over the 2000-metre trip for the first time after the Kingfisher Derby in Bangalore last summer. He had ended beating just one home then. Probably that’s why he was offered at backable odds of 85/100 considering it was only a three-horse race.

Imran Chisty played his cards absolutely right and took to the lead cutting a very slow pace. Both his rivals didn’t seem to mind the initial crawl playing right into Chisty’s hands. Moon Star ambled in front and Doi Moi and Living The Dream were content to play ‘follow the leader’. The first half of the race was friendlier than a morning canter and only past the 1000-metre mark did Chisty increase the pace. Coming into the straight, Moon Star was raring to go, and with bottom-weight to carry, Chisty drove home the advantage bounding forward and adding distance with every stride. Doi Moi looked a patch on his older form, while Living The Dream seemed to be doing just that – dreaming! Chisty then partnered debutante Secret Service (Razeen – Stolen kisses) for a crack at The NM Irani Trophy, for maiden three-year-olds over a six-furlong sprint.

Chisty and Secret Service were off the blocks in an instant and led by a comfortable margin. On-money favourite Maddox set about in chase and the rest, including the good looking Javo, were not up to it. Coming into the straight, Secret Service stretched out gamely and left Maddox with some catching to do. In the final furlong, Maddox tried hard to get past Secret Service but an adamant Chisty did his best to keep Secret Service going all the way through.

Secret Service won well and Maddox too went down fighting. Javo may have needed this run and should do better sooner than later. Icon (China Visit – Nairn) produced a strong finishing effort to ward off a mounting challenge from Starrer. Sea Sparrow took charge early and was closely followed by Michele Marieci with Icon galloping close behind. Starrer was closer to the rear, but was making steady progress from the outside. Sea Sparrow led them into the straight. Michele Marieci tried to match strides but could not quicken at all. Icon was making rapid progress and soon went past the leader and worked a brisk pace getting into a fine tempo.

Starrer then was produced from the outside and started to gain on the front-runners. He beat all but Icon, who had raced to safety, clocking a relatively good timing (1:24.25). Starrer arrived too late to finish a good second and will live to fight another day. Fiasal Abbas was the only trainer to score a double with Glowing Star and Secret Service. Glowing Star (Glory Of Dancer – Glowing Sands) had Richard Hughes astride and was second in demand after Clinton.

Grant Park, who was also among the fancied lot, dropped the rider Malcolm Kharadi. Fortunately, Malcolm escaped unhurt and fulfilled his engagements for the day in the latter races. Money Flash led the field homeward and soon faded out. Glowing Star, who was slightly hampered turning for home by the rider-less Grant Park, took charge early in the straight and went on to win comfortably. The ones to make progress in the straight were Eye Of The Storm who ended a close third behind Pure Power the runner-up and Clinton who had a forgettable debut, had to run wide all the time and finished on closer to the outer railing ending a tame fourth in the process. Cape Ferrat (Hurricane State – Royal Divine) showed good improvement pulling off a thrilling win even in this higher class to score his third successive victory, second in the current season.

It was not as easy though and Jockey B Prakash had to dig deep in the reserves to stay ahead at the all-important end to dash the hopes of Star Of Killarney. Aliyana had led the field homewards with Cape Ferrat, Bullet and Scenic Silver not far behind. Star Of Killarney was next and was beginning to warm up. Cape Ferrat soon sailed into the lead and managed to shake off Bullet who was lurking close behind. However, the small-built Bullet could not cope with the heavy weight and although out of the main contention, managed to earn the place money.

Star Of Killarney started to bridge the gap towards Cape Ferrat and in the final furlong looked menacing. Cape Ferrat went all out and the duo fought the last 100 metres with Cape Ferrat doing well in keeping Star Of Killarney at bay. Cape Ferrat clocked a fast time of 58.33 for the five-furlong scurry. Titian (Ikhtiyar – Innara) thrilled his followers when he covered a lot of ground in the straight and pulled off a convincing victory over Hughes-ridden Stunning Thunder. They ran in close order with Crowned Princess, Roesti, Stunning Thunder and Pound Foolish in front. Titian was towards the rear, making progress with each passing furlong board.

Stunning Thunder came into prominence soon on turning for home. Roesti tried hard but failed to gather momentum. Samiel promised but failed to deliver. Titian shifted out and made his final bid on the centre of the track. Titian with Pasquier astride warmed up midway up the straight and finished on full of steam and in the last fifty simply sailed past Stunning Thunder to post a comfortable victory. Maria Teresa failed to reproduce her last start brilliance and lost an opportunity of scoring her second successive victory. She was prominent until the 400, then dropped out of contention. Persian Lily came up with a lively finish as did Angels Pursuit and the duo battled out the final furlong. Persian Lily had that bit extra and PS Chouhan did exceedingly well to guide the Rehan filly to a scintillating victory. Zaracha was a trifle unlucky not to get a clear passage and should be watched in his next outing.

Emerald Valley finished on well to snatch a place in the frame. Marigold (Eljohar – Bird of Paradise) made a successful start0-to-finish bid to clinch the 6th race from Rio Del Ray who clearly needed the run. Favourite Royal Connection disappointed and guzzled up a lot of money. Hitting the front soon on start, Marigold ridden by allowance claiming Shrikant Kamble led comfortably with Towering High close behind. Asclepieion, Royal Connection, Royal Style and Caramel were closely huddled with Rio Del Ray making progress as they turned for home. Marigold came into the straight with a handy lead. Towering High was galloping well too, but could not measure up to Marigold. Royal Connection was not sighted in the picture while Rio Del Ray started to make rapid headway.

However, Marigold was not relenting and kept going all the way and Rio Del Ray had to be content with the runner-up berth. Towering High kicked on to end third ahead of the favourite Royal Connection. Fascination (Don’t Forget Me – Act Of Trust), from the stables of trainer MK Jadhav, lived up to his last-start promise and won well. Sitting right in front along with Nuncio, Fascination galloped at a good clip to be in box-seat entering the straight. He used that advantage to the hilt and jockey Trevor played his part to perfection. Emerald Queen looked good for a short burst but could not sustain. It was Chieftain who finished on fastest and was a wee bit too late at the wire. Distinguished, too, made steady progress along the rails and both Chieftain and Distinguished are noteworthy.

Lightning Cavalry (Storm Trooper – Kojagiri), trained by Magan Singh Jodha and well-ridden by CS Jodha, completely demolished the opposition in the opening race of the day. Lightning Cavalry sat well off the pace set by Our Little Angel, who darted to be a distance ahead only to succumb at the final turn. Ardent Lover made progress after the half-way stage as did Lightning Cavalry. Once in the homestretch, Lightning Cavalry stormed ahead and made it a no-contest, winning in a most convincing fashion. Ardent Lover ended a tame second while Uruj, who was a bit tardy at the gates, ran on to finish third.