Jockey Prabhu Naidu played a good part in guiding White Knight to victory in the feature event, the Maharaja Sir Pratapsingh Gaekwad Trophy for class II horses over 1400 meters. Although there were only five contenders, the finish was an exciting one, with at least three looking in line to wrestle past one another inside the final furlong.

White Knight shot into the lead in his customary style soon on start. Saba and Emerald Valley were striding together close behind. Titian made no impact whatsoever, while Enlightening never recovered from a tardy start.

White Knight was strongly challenged by Saba first after straightening up for home. The duo was battling hard when Emerald Valley started to gain considerable ground to join these two. Saba failed to sustain and dropped out of contention. White Knight seemed to be losing control as Emerald Valley looked all set to surge ahead. He even headed White Knight briefly and looked on course to victory. Naidu remained calm and focused and the challenge got the best out of him as he refused to let go and pushed for a last ditch effort. White Knight was defiant too and he made a final dash to wrest back the initiative and score a thrilling victory.

The point of high interest among the racing patrons was to see jockey Joseph O’Brien take the saddle for the first time on Indian Turf. O’Brien a lanky tall young lad all of 19, had shot to the record books as the first ever father-son duo to win the Epsom Derby when he piloted his father Aidan O’Brien-trained Camelot to a memorable victory earlier this year. He had just one assignment in the day – Shahenshah from Pesi Shroff’s stable.

Shahenshah was coming after a layoff, having given Pune a miss. Hill Ranger led the field with Staying Alive and Encore close behind. O’Brien was about fifth passing the 800. As they turned for home, Hill Ranger couldn’t carry on for too long. Encore too was not quickening and Arctic Minstrel locked herself on the inner rails. O’Brien took off with Shahenshah and cruised past the struggling front-runners in no time. He looked all set to make a winning debut when Destined to Glory (Glory of Dancer – Double Wish) stormed past in the dying moments of the race, beating Shahenshah a neck. Apocalypse too, finished on gamely taking the third spot finishing on close behind the top two. It was later announced that Apocalypse had bled. O’Brien did all but win his first assignment; however, he showed a good glimpse of his abilities and is on his way to relish his stint in Mumbai.

Trainer MK Jadhav saddled two of the four favourites that obliged on the day both of whom were partnered by the jockey-in-form A Sandesh. The first success came about when the well-backed Zoom Zoom (Diffident – Raptures) surfaced from the third spot at turn to stride his way to glory.

Zoom Zoom settled in the third spot behind Myla Rose and Habibian until the turn. Habibian in a sudden rush of blood jostled with Myla Rose and shot ahead. He worked up a handy lead and was kicking on when Zoom Zoom started to accelerate well, past the distance post. Myla Rose stuck on to stay in the vicinity even as Colours Flying and Be Positive started to get too close for comfort. Zoom Zoom steered clear of the fast finishing bunch to land the spoils without encountering much resistance. Be Positive finished on the best of the beaten lot, nosing out Myla Rose and Colours Flying to take the runner-up berth.

Free Verse (Ontario – Savannah) was the other popularly fancied horse that obliged by an identical margin of a length and half akin to Zoom Zoom. Free Verse was in striking position at the turn, with only Rein In Spain in front. On turning for home, Rein In Spain galloped on gamely. Free Verse was patient and stayed within striking distance, and opened up in the final furlong to get past Rein in Spain with ease to score comfortably. Crème De La Crème finished on fastest and did enough to pip Rein in Spain for the second spot.

Jockey Suraj Narredu scored a double, one atop a prime favourite and the other at lucrative odds. He started the day well guiding home Winds of Fortune (Kheleyf – Finnine) to a popular victory. There was no hard work done for this victory, as 

Winds of Fortune settled well behind Etiquette and once into the straight, Suraj was still sitting tight when Winds of Fortune blew away Etiquette and sailed into the lead. Suraj prolonged his tight rein status until after the distance post and when we urged his filly on, Winds of Fortune stretched out well to draw further away from her rivals. Blue Swallow did well to ward off Fairy Queen to take the second slot, comfortably ahead of Fairy Queen.

Suraj then partnered Malesh Narredu’s Bright Lady (Rebuttal – Flightingale) to a spurring victory. Negotiator, Sky Lantern Sheer Class, and Modus Vivendi raced behind in a bunch, with Sword of Honour a little distance away and The Ministerian well behind the field owing to a lethargic start.

Bright Lady showed no sign of relenting as they turned into the homestretch. She kept going at a good clip, once again Suraj not having to really press on her. She galloped at a good clip showing long strides keeping her rivals a safe distance behind. Sheer Class was hemmed up on the rails just behind Bright Lady with Negotiator alongside. However, he did not exactly fly towards the end when he wriggled free. So Bright Lady did get the better of Sheer Class on the day. Sheer Class was good for a first timer and will surely knock off her opponents in her next start, so watch out for Sheer Class.

Monsieur Strauss (Mull of Kintyer – Madamoiselle) was another one to have made every post a winning one and outpaced his opponents completely. Magic Star who was the closest to the leader until the turn, vanished soon thereafter. Strategy moved to second with Naserian catching up with him. The pair was all out in chase, but Monsieur Strauss galloped away beyond reach. The favourite romped home to score his maiden victory with a degree of comfort. Naserian managed to put his head in front of Strategy to end second.

Macho Uno (Juniper – Universal Star) galloped strongly at the business end to launch his strike from a long way back to score a decisive victory, his sixth career success. Al Zamarud led the field into the straight and kept the lead going at a good clip. Arabian Lord started to mount pressure as they came past the 300 meter mark. The others, Negredo, Bartimaeus, and Mountain Lion were all struggling to make a race of it. Macho Uno propelled his attack from the outside and gathered terrific momentum. When he came close to the two in front, he was in full flight and shot past them without difficulty.

Macho Uno ridden by Kavraj Singh and trained by Dr Anil Kumar was too good in the final furlong and his victory was never in doubt when he caught up with Al Zamarud and Arabian Lord. He won handsomely and due credit goes to Dr Anil Kumar to bring him to winning fitness that he also showed in his last outing while ending in the money. Arabian Lord beat Al Zamarud for the runner up berth.

New Wings (Hymn - Noble Ballerina) showed out well from the outside draw (10) to grab the early advantage. With jockey Mosin claiming a five-kilo allowance, New Wings flew to the front and led the field right through to the winning post. Once in the straight, Mosin relied on his hands and heels and kept working up a good pace and also managed to keep the momentum going all the way. Dreamliner and Basic Life who were closest to the leader could not match the speed but hung in there. Mateus Rose who raced on the rails until into the straight, moved to challenge those in front. She easily accounted for both Dreamliner and Basic Life. New Wings by then had sped away. All Mateus Rose could do was cut down the margin of victory.

Oriental Sapphire (Halling - Shaduf) finally came good after a series of let downs. She scored her maiden win after ten previous outings. This time she came into her own and in a final flourish, zipped past her opponents to score a facile victory when least expected. She had no form coming into this one, but found her best and that mattered.

Song of Sparrow had taken a handy lead inside the homestretch and was going all out. Ceasarina was in chase. She got close but could produce enough to topple Song of Sparrow. Ice Age was getting nowhere and was simply going about his motions, not showing any alacrity whatsoever. Oriental Sapphire meanwhile moved into the thick of things, literally! She moved inwards from the outside and came between horses. However, she was on a forward march and finally slipped through the inner rails to score her maiden win impressively. Song of Sparrow was beaten by a superior horse who had just struck form.

For the professionals, trainer MK Jadhav was the lone trainer to saddle a double while jockeys Suraj Narredu and A Sandesh scored a double each.