Day two of the Mumbai Season belonged to jockey A Sandesh. The joint Pune Champ was at his best as he dished out winner after winner tallying four successes out of his six mounts.  He started off on the lesser fancied (15 to 1) Song Of Praise (Warrshan – Secret Paradise) in the Nyayo Plate run over the mile.

Sandesh took Song of Praise to the front as they settled down and got the gelding into a fine rhythm. Oriental Sapphire never really settled down and didn’t look the part at any stage. Favourite Queen’s Call was in striking position when they came into the homestretch, but could not match the finishing effort of Song Of Praise.  Queen’s Camp did get closer towards the winning post and may have needed this run to sharpen up. Oriental Sapphire ran on to finish third but without making much impact on the winner. Daredevil ran a decent race and would do well over a shorter distance.

Sandesh next partnered top fancy Josephine (Kheleyf – Attitude Of Blue) to a clean-as-a-whistle victory, once again going for it right from the start. He worked up a good pace as he led with a handy margin with Astromia in chase. Once the turned for home, Josephine galloped on impressively and sailed to victory literally unchallenged. Sandesh only guided the MK Jadhav filly and did not have to exert any pressure as Josephine knew the job on hand and they together accomplished the task without being extended. Astromia followed the winner for the most part of the race, but eventually succumbed when Endless Horizon pitched in her best to take the second spot closer home.

Sumo (First Samurai – Special Tapestry) created a flutter while beating hot favourite An Acquired Taste and the well-supported Ambrosia. Sumo settled well behind Sorrento who galloped at a steady pace. An Acquired Taste, Living The Dream and Ambrosia were racing close to one another with Red baron at the tail end. Sumo looked good coming into the straight and easily sailed past Sorrento. He quickened nicely to stretch out to a handy lead. Ambrosia moved through the rails and easily got past An Acquired Taste who was all out. The rest including Red Baron were making no impact. Sumo drew clear past the distance post and Ambrosia could only manage to cut down the margin. Sumo was most impressive of the lot.

Sandesh struck again with Sharaarat in the JV Shukla – Ashwamitra Trophy. The even money favourite had to contend with stable mate Rising Power to clinch the race. Rising Power shot into the lead soon on start and worked up a fiery pace. Sharaarat was in second but didn’t mind Brave Vision going past her early on in the race. Eskimo followed the trio until they turned for home.

Rising Power accelerated well on   straightening up and was going at a brisk pace. Sandesh alerted Sharaarat to the task and the Dallas trained filly produced a forceful run to catch up and pass Rising Power inside the final furlong. Eskimo tried hard to challenge the pair in front but failed to do so, ending alongside Rising Power.

Purple Patch (Alnasr Alwasheek – La Unique) came with a stunning gallop to beat his opponents covering a lot of ground briskly in the straight. Jockey DK Ashish could not position favourite Black Pearl favorably and was languishing in the second last spot for most part of the race. Flying Star called the shots all the way into the straight. Flying Star was first challenged by 

Angels Tern and both were battling it out when Purpe Patch pounced on them. A brief tussle ensued but Purple Patch bulldozed his way in front and stretched away from Angels Tern. Black Pearl appeared when all was over, but she did come with a lot of speed. She also had to skirt around horses and took the widest route to the winning post. She surely implied that with a better positioning and a clearer passage, she could have made her mark. Watch out for Black Pearl in her next attempt.

Debutante Bullseye (kehleyf – La Cienega) was most impressive in her first assignment and under Malcolm Kharadi’s guidance flourished dishing out a wonderful performance. In the mid group until well into the straight, Bulls Eye emerged as Malcolm got her to accelerate midway in the straight. Monsieur Strauss ran a good race too. He handled the pace well and led with authority. Even as they turned for home, Monsieur Strauss held his own well into the final furlong. Bullseye, however, was simply too good and she picked up momentum nicely to shut the opposition out, Monsieur Strauss included. This was quite an awesome style of victory on debut. Bullseye hit the target this time and it sure is worth keeping an eye on her progress.

For the professionals, Sandesh was the star of the day with four winners. Trainer MK Jadhav saddled a double.