The two Division I & II of the Adler Trophy  saw two horses get their sweet taste of success after showing promise in the races leading up to their respective engagements. Tachyon won the upper division in hard fought duel while Sikandar had it easy.

Tachyon (Ontario – Artic Whisper) was quick to settle down in third behind Lord Aragorn and Sariska. As they turned for home, Sariska sped past Lord Aragorn and Tachyon too quickened nice to join Sariska in a battle that lasted all the way to the wire. Sariska had a slight upper hand in the early half of the straight, but could not carry on all the way. Tachyon was constantly making his presence felt and gaining steadily on Sariska with each stride. The last furlong was a grim battle with each of them galloping powerfully towards the winning post. Tachyon got past Sariska just a couple of strides from the wire and registered a narrow ¾ L victory. Koh Samui, who was racing close to the rear end of the field, made headway in the straight to end third but not too close to the top two. Koh Samui warmed up far too late and may relish longer distances.

Sikandar (Glory of Dancer – Wild Glory) had it much easier. Hitting the front early, Sikandar was fast and furious and entered the straight with a handy lead. He got better in the straight and extended the margin and encountering no worthwhile challenge. Serena was the closest to him three lengths away. She failed to keep a straight course and lost whatever chances she had to earn some place money. Sikandar galloped powerfully as Sandesh guided his to his maiden victory in style. Burgundy Rose and Stormy Princess put in a late bid and snatched the minor placing from Serena. Sikandar fully justified the promise he had shown in the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million where he led until the final furlong and ended a good fourth.

Signor Sassi (Alnasr Alwasheek – Si Signorita) came good finally and scored a facile victory by a comfortable margin.  Afsoon marginally led Josephine from the start with Signor Sassi trudging along next at a fair clip. Josephine took charge as Afsoon failed to find the needed acceleration. Soon Signor Sassi came alongside. Josephine tried to resist and stayed alongside Signor Sassi but only for a brief while. Signor Sassi picked up momentum approaching the distance post and in the final furlong it was all easy sailing. Flying Star and Red Tabasco emerged from behind to take the second and third slots pushing back Josephine to fourth in a close finish for the minor places.

Jockey Nirmal Jodha started and ended the day on a winning note piloting Jacques and Viva Zapata to impressive victories.

Jacques was heavily backed and was the prime fancy on the strength of his last start neck second to Grand Design. Jacques justified that faith but not without a slight bit of anxiety. Unknown Rebel hit the front soon on start and led the field all the way into the straight. Major Wager settled beautifully and was up in front on the tail of the leader. Jacques was in the mid-bunch waiting to make his move as late as he possibly could.

Unknown Rebel refused to give up easily and hung on as Major Wager came alongside to snatch the lead. Nirmal took his time to ease Jacques into top gear and when he did, Jacques was prompt in his response and quickly made up ground to get abreast with Major Wager and Unknown Rebel. Major Wager provided the thrill as he refused to be cowed down and fought all the way making Jacques earn his victory. Jacques never looked in danger but the fact that Major Wager was stubbornly attached did make it exciting.

Viva Zapata (Tirol – Desert Native) pulled off a sensational victory that was well thought out and even better executed. Not the quickest out, Viva Zapata gradually improved position and eventually took over the running approaching the 800 m marker. Until then, Savage Garden was in command with Cordially Yours in second, close behind these two were Jacqueline Smile and Red Sensation. The others were closely knitted together while Hymn Path was left standing in the gates.

Viva Zapata entered the straight with Jacqueline Smile breathing down his neck. It looked like Jacqueline Smile had the measure of Viva Zapata but the latter was never able to pass Viva Zapata. Savage Garden was making his presence felt on the outside. Nirmal Jodha was relentless in his efforts and Viva Zapata too was up to the task. They never loosened the stranglehold that they had on the race and carried on the good work right to the finish. Savage Garden posted a grim battle and ended a good second ahead of Jacqueline Smile and Kalinga Star who ended fourth without raising any hope of victory.

Trainer SN Joshi’s Tropical Zone (Quest Star – Oceanic Zone) produced a spirited final burst to shock Miracle of Mercy on the last stride in a scintillating finish. Miracle of Mercy did all the hard work but simply could not hold on to relish the fruits of hard work. He led them into the straight and galloped on well keeping McQueen at bay. Purple Moon warmed up midway in the straight and started to bridge the gap. Approaching the distance post, Tropical Zone picked up speed and his finish was simply zippy. He swooped on the trio working their way to nose the wire first and clamped them all to strike it rich on the final stride. It was Dashrath Singh again who was brilliant in his finish atop Tropical Zone. Miracle of Mercy did no wrong yet fell to the brilliance of the winner. Purple Moon and McQueen ended close behind these two.

Silver Screen (Diffident – Silver Academy) scored her first victory this season while also providing young apprentice jockey Nikhil Bhujbal a confidence boosting first success. It was not an easy ride and Nikhil contributed to this victory in good measure. Alyana and Mystic Temple were in front when Bold Dancer started to flex his muscles. He passed them with just 300 meters to go. Tag Along Tommy after being in the front bunch threw in the towel, while Silver Screen showed some vigour at the same juncture. He covered ground briskly and in the final fifty, Nikhil got aggressive with his pushing getting the best out of Silver Screen when it mattered most. Silver Screen collared Bold Dancer close home and won aggressively. Marine Zone surfaced after being a detached last until the turn and this was indeed a splendid effort that fetched him the runner-up berth. Shabdeez too worked hard for ending earning place money, making his run from the wider outside, without bothering the winner and runner-up.

Wild Imagination (Diffident – Cyclonic) found some of his old form at the right time and ensured that he did not go winless this season. He was up in the front just behind leader Captain Smart as they hit the turn. Captain Smart showed good early speed and in the straight was looking good until the final furlong. Wild Imagination began to accelerate well and caught up with the leader with a furlong to go. However, he started to shift out giving hope to a bunch of horses behind him. Solid Rock and By The Way started to get closer and posed a threat, but Wild Imagination, despite going even wider managed to hold on from Solid Rock who flew towards the end along with By The Way. Captain Smart was a shocked fourth.

With the season drawing towards the end, Dashrath Singh made the most of the weekend notching up five victories taking his win tally to 30. He is followed by B Prakash who is on 25 after logging just one over the two days of racing. Zervan too is lurking around at 24, but with a comfortable lead here, Dashrath Singh is in the best position to win the title yet again.