Cabriolet, who ran an eye-catching fourth in a blanket finish in his last outing, was much better prepared for the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr 2) and smacked the top-class opposition overcoming a tardy start. Getting off slowly off the gates and losing about six lengths in the process, Cabriolet tailed the field all the way until the straight. They galloped at quite a steady pace with Star Alliance at the helm settling into a comfortable lead. Cielo Rey raced up next with Polish Patriot about another five lengths away. The shift to the top gear occurred soon on straightening for home. All the while jockey Prakash was engaged in nursing Cabriolet to get closer to the bunch without coercing his intentions on the Shroff ward. Star Alliance gave way to Cielo Rey who stepped up pace. The others were catching up with Cabriolet making his move from the wider outside. Polish Patriot too got into the fight. Autonomy could not produce his best and although he was prominent in the final furlong, he could not make it count. Cabriolet (Glory of Dancer – Highland Ghillie) came with a lightening blitz and stormed past them all with his devastating finish. Although the verdict suggests a narrow margin, his victory was most convincing and he completely outran his rivals. 

Weizhou (Senure – Priceless Moments) ran the best race of his career and stunned not only his rivals but a majority of the racing fraternity as well. To his credit, Weizhou has most often performed with great consistency. Coming into this race, his career record shows that he has raced on the board 17 times out of 21 outings, with four victories, the last of which came in September 2009. The six-year-old gelding from Faisal Abbas’ yard put in a gutsy performance to topple an elite line-up for the Dr SC Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Gr 2). 

It was a rush for early advantage and all the sprinters were at it right from the outset. Forever Young enjoyed a slender lead with a bunch of horses snapping at his tail. Captivating, Mighty Crusader, Portrush, Juventus, Forest Flair, Arts were all huddled together tightly. Captivating took over in the straight, but never looked convincing. The others were closing in and Weizhou started to warm up nicely and began to accelerate powerfully inside the last 300 m. Forest Flair, who was right next to Weizhou, just couldn’t measure up. In the final furlong, Weizhou put in a strong finishing gallop to pull off what seemed an impossible victory. Eloise, Celestial Way and D’Artagnan flew towards the end but were far too late to make any impact on the winner. Attila got stuck in traffic and found her way out past the distance post. However, she succumbed to the terrific onslaught of the top four finishers and ended two off the frame close behind Portrush. 

The Canadian Tourism Commission Million saw debutante Romantique (China Visit – Romantic Liaison) owned by the Jains make a winning start to her career. Racing over seven-furlongs, Ashwa Prabir called the early shots with Golden Creek, Ivory Mint, Voyager, Mountain Ruler and Romantique closely knitted together. Lad King and Lake Geneva came next, but not too far away. 

As they turned for home, Voyager was the first to push the button and shot into the lead looking good to make an impact. Soon Romantique began to pick up momentum and set about bridging the gap. In the final furlong, Romantique began to close in and though Voyager went all out, Romantique managed to produce that extra effort and got past Voyager closer home. Lake Geneva galloped through the rails and ran to finish third ahead of Lad King. Romantique’s victory helped trainer Imtiaz Sait compile a popular treble making him the most successful professional for the day. 

Imtiaz Siat’s Belligerent (Glory of Dancer – Buona Sera) was brilliantly ridden by young apprentice A Sandesh who seems to be the find amongst his batch. Astride Belligerent, the lad overcame a saddle malfunction as it slipped nearing the 600 m marker. The two top contenders, Sine Qua Non and Amouresque were right behind as Belligerent entered the straight with a slender lead. Amouresque made steady progress to join Belligerent and even got ahead past the 400m. Sandesh then somehow managed to get a grip on Belligerent and rode out courageously to wrest back the initiative and fought it out bravely to clinch the issue in a keen finish. This speaks volumes of the lad’s gutsy confidence and showed maturity belying his young age. Sine Qua Non ended a tame third. 

The Elle Cup was a well-fought race, with Rein In Spain (Sunday Doubt – Ice Point) being another one who fought on bravely to snatch back lost initiative to win in a thrilling finish. Afsoon packed up when the race came to a boil and fell far below expectations. In the straight, it was Rein In Spain who was quick to take charge inside the final two furlongs. At 300, Rein In Spain was challenged by Besame Mucho who came up with a brilliant spurt and even got past the leader. Jockey Rajendra was vigorous in his attempt to regain the lead and fought it out in a battle for superiority. Rajandra’s persistence paid off as Besame Mucho could not sustain her brilliance and went down narrowly close home. Besame Mucho looks a good type too and will have her day soon. Rein In Spain proved a fighter and earned his victory the hard way. 

Royal Highness was the day’s biggest disappointment. The heavily backed favourite got stuck for room behind Grand Warrior and Oceanic Wisdom and jockey Srinath appeared indecisive whether to poke through or go for the clear run from around Oceanic Wisdom (Mr Mellon – Star Profile). His deliberation pulled on a touch longer and Oceanic Wisdom was not getting any slower. By the time Srinath got Royal Highness out of the rut, Oceanic Wisdom had a clear upper hand and that held her in good stead at the winning post. Royal Highness flew towards the finish but was there when it was all over. 

Vibgyor (Johannesburg – Demons Cloud) raised her game a few notches to tear away from the field in the final furlong. Chasing leaders Sea Warrior and Blazing Spectacle into the straight, Vibgyor shifted gears past the 300 and stormed ahead to win with a great degree of comfort. He snuffed out the challenge out of his rivals to post a facile victory at nourishing odds. Favourite Heiress was a big let down as she was in her last start too. She figured in prominence only as far as they turned for home and ended in the rut showing no forward form whatsoever. To put it mildly, she looked backward. 

Starseeker (Razeen – Resplendent Star) proved a cut above her opposition and won toying with the field. The well-backed favourite sat upfront just behind leader Telstar. As soon as they turned for home, Starseeker shot ahead, still on tight leash and kicked away from his hapless rivals. Jockey Zervan had little to do and he just pushed the gelding as if only to ensure he doesn’t get stiff joints. Glowing Star despite trying hard was no match and ended a tame second while Premier Connection consumed the place money. Starseeker strikes as a winner in his next assignment as well. 

Distant Promise (Mr Mellon – Over The Ocean) scored an encore over a better set of rivals and this time too was impressive. Sitting along the rails, Distant Promise took the shortest way home along the rails. He had Gerrad in front of him and Stunning Thunder ready to pounce ahead. Youngster Sandesh waited until Stunning Thunder got past the leader and then quickly got Distance Promise out of the rails and made a forward surge to wear down the well-backed Stunning Thunder. Distant Promise responded gamely and with a lively finishing effort surged ahead to win comfortably. Freany looked as though she will have a say in the finish, but failed to go for the kill. She ended a decent third though. 

Star Craft (Placerville – Astreus) pulled off a stunning victory in the day’s opener winning from end to end, scoring with utmost comfort. Apprentice Roushan launched the Dr MAM Ramaswamy gelding to a huge lead at the turn and Star Craft marched on with complete disregard to the field. Amora, the favourite, could only beat the rest to finish a tame second. 

For the professionals, trainer Imtiaz was the man of the day with a fine treble. Pesi Shroff and Sk Sunderji saddled a brace each, while apprentice Jockey A Sandesh was the lone jockey to score a double.