Shroff trained Rosalind (Placerville – Free Radical) owned by the Shirke family and bred at the Poonawalla Astonish Stud, countered stubborn resistance from last start favourite Scorch to score a narrow half length victory. However, once she came forth with her final gallop, it was relatively clear that she held the upper hand all the way in the final furlong and it would be a matter of time before Scorch’s spirited challenge was dispatched.

Scorch, shot into the lead soon on the jump and had Flying Star for company as they headed the field. Rosalind let the duo match strides and stayed in the third spot just a length or so away. Scorch shook off Flying Star soon on turning for home and had Rosalind coming at her at a brisk pace. Shabdeez was trying to build a momentum and was making efforts at getting noticed. The rest were making no impact at the business end.

Scorch fought on bravely in spite of Rosalind getting past her inside the final furlong and stuck alongside the favourite to give her small set of supporters something to shout about. Rosalind eventually surged ahead after jockey Zervan handed her a crack nearing the winning post to the relief of her backers. Rosalind may have hastened the heartbeats but one would not have actually broken into sweat. I for one felt that she did not go all guns blazing and that’s what kept Scorch interested! I would be surprised if Rosalind does not pick up a hat-trick.

Scorch, surely would fancy her chances next time out and could earn a winning bracket in her present form. Age was not on her side for Shabdeez who put in a gritty performance and amongst an older bunch, Shabdeez is worth waiting for. Moonscape ended in the frame and this run ought to strip her fitter.

Spirit of Mercy (Tirol – Cozumel) trained by veteran trainer SS Shah and owned by popular committee member of the Club, Mr Champaklal Zaveri scored a clean start-to-finish victory to clinch the Rajaram Chattrapati Trophy. Jockey TS Jodha eased Spirit of Mercy into the lead and after darting ahead to about three lengths in front, held the dark bay colt in check, content with the clear initial upper hand. Chemin De Fer settled in second with Lyrical Symphony, White Knight and Strategic Change following in close order.

At the turn, the others started to close in and a tightly packed bunch followed Spirit of mercy homewards. Jodha then urged the colt ahead forcefully and Spirit of Mercy on his part, never let the momentum to drop. The others were getting nowhere as they chased the leader who never let his guard down. White Knight improved positions to end second while favourite Chemin De Fer ended a tame third.

Spirit of Mercy won well but will have to improve further to produce an encore. White Knight could have done better if he had more ground to cover. Chemin De Fer I reckon, would fare better over a mile.

Trainer Dallas Todywalla continued his winning ways as two from his stables – Limitless Hills and Winter Wind returned victorious.

Limitless Hills (Placerville – Riyatifia) was at his best as he trounced a competitive field with alarming ease. He set about his venture sitting right behind the leader Turf Lightning who too was a well-fancied runner. Rebecca, another popular fancy, was following a couple of positions further down the field, but not really too far back.

As they turned for home, Turf Lightning was fast losing his stranglehold as Limitless Hills started to wear him down. Once in the lead, Limitless Hills dominated the proceedings and shot away from them all within split-seconds. He was comfortably ahead leaving no chance for Rebecca, who yet again had to do too much in the straight. Limitless Hills is owned by the Wadhawans and bred at the Pune Stud Farm. His victory was authoritative and he is poised to add to his tally soon. I wouldn’t give up on Rebecca either, as victory has eluded her so far this season. Her time however, is bound to come sooner than later.

Winter Wind (Noverre – Almost Perfect) was the other hot favourite on the day, at miserly odds after Rosalind. She obliged with much ease as she stretched out magnificently in the homestretch to outpace her rivals with a good measure of comfort. She took off right from start and had Holiday Dancer alongside cutting a nippy pace. Winter Wind quickened well as they turned for home and stretched out nicely to draw away from them all. Matrioshka galloped on well and ended a notable second. Shadows of Time, who was pretty far down the field, stuck to the rails and was rewarded with the place money and this was a fairly reasonable effort. Winter Wind however, dominated the race to score her second victory this season. 

Neath  (Major Impact – Machrihanish) bred at the Manjri Stud, owned by M/s Dilip Thomas and Shapoor Mistry finally came good and produced a long overdue winning gallop. Having finished down the field, there were not many takers for Neath’s victory despite the fact that a saddle slip had denied an opportunity for Neath last time out. Neath and her backers finally had the last laugh as the Bezan

Chenoy ward vindicated her master’s faith and romped home to a ‘neat’ victory.

Neath was content to chase Sheriff for the first half of the journey.  Then she suddenly took off and spurted ahead, jockey Imran Chisty making what seemed a bold move. The others however, played into Chisty’s hands with Cypress Point in particular brushing up before original schedule to ensure he was within catching distance of Neath.

Neath entered the straight with a handy lead and she further kicked away to establish a winning lead coming inside the last furlong. Neath bounded forward impressively leaving nothing to chance and won very comfortably. Cypress Point raced detached from the huddled bunch and paid the price for leaving too much to do with too little ground to do it in. Neath looked a winner long way from home. Now that she has struck winning form, Neath could add more brackets in the near future. Cypress Point will live to fight another day. The rest would need more time to get into striking form.

Chenoy’s daughter trainer Ms Nazak Chenoy led in Encore (Emerald Cat – Enchante) owned by her mother Mrs Bhaktawar Chenoy along with M/s MH Damania, SN Talwar and YM Sachdev. This Capricorn bred filly struck with precision as she mounted a fierce attack on two horses at top speed. Encore galloped wide all through and took the turn five horses wide.

Heavenly Prize led them in and faded out of action as the well fancied Helen took charge early in the straight. Young apprentice Tushar Namane showed a cool head when he started to work on the filly to generate her potent power. Encore finished on full of steam and pegged back Pronto Star and Josephine. Both these horses have indicated they would churn out a better performance  early.

Mighty King (Black Cash – Si Gentille) trained by Vinay Lagad and owned by Mr Khushro Jalnawala extended his rule over the Pune race track by galloping away to another resolute victory, his second in as many starts this season. Cheponski did all the initial hard work and galloped at a lively pace to head the field all the way into the straight.

Mighty King went on an all-out attack soon on turning for home. Cheponski was fighting hard but was fighting a losing battle. Mighty King loomed large and sped away in the final furlong to register another thumping victory. Cheponski ended a game runner-up for the second time this season and should be able to convert his effort to a winning cause soon, in a slightly weaker set though. Mighty King is surely on a roll and in this form can produce another fruitful performance this season.

The day’s biggest upset for the day was due to an ideal never-give-up effort that came from apprentice jockey Ishwar Pardeshi atop Kunigal Stud Farm bred Apache Indian (Burden of Proof – Star of Nature) owned by Parag Mengale & Amit Vilas Malwadkar. The bay gelding who switched stables to make trainer Jayantilal Gor’s yard his new home, first made a dash for the early lead and extended the margin until the turn. At the business end, Westerlie overhauled the leader and stretched away and looked a certain winner. Apache Indian shifted out considerably yet refused to bow out. Mountain Force who was covering ground had to check and switch lanes and this must have somewhat broken Mountain Force’s rhythm. Even as Westerlie surged toward the winning post, Ishwar Perdesh, as if having given a breather to Apache Indian, reappeared with another burst to cover yards and managed to pip Westerlie on the post. Mountain Force was unlucky to have been interfered, what out the next time her runs.

Trainer Dallas Todywalla was the alone pro to score a fine double.