Storm Tracker (Weather Warning – Wolanstonita) showed no signs of rustiness on reappearing on the race track after about 11 months, while turning up this season for a fresh campaign. He had been gelded in July and had ample time to return to recoup and put on condition and gather his fitness. He had indicated his good form in a mock race when he stayed ahead of Attila by a length. On Thursday, he scored a stylish victory with Zervan toying with the small number of opponents.

Storm Tracker led from the start and Zervan set his own pace. The rest followed the leader. Once into the straight, Storm Tracker progressed easy paced and when Lorelei made an attempt to get closer, Storm Tracker just got a ‘whisper-touch’ from Zervan to quicken. The Shroff-trained gelding surged further ahead and romped home leaving the hapless Lorelei and others too far behind.

The Shroff-Zervan duo struck again with Colossus (Ace – Connivance) a debutant who rose to the occasion in a fine manner and what was even more commendable was his debut success came over the Derby distance (2400m), which in itself is definitely a rare case. I frankly, do not remember a just-turned-four rookie winning over that distance on debut.

The race too was run in an extraordinary fashion with Suraj Narredu taking off with favourite Ice Cool in not the coolest manner. He amassed a massive lead in meters and not the usual lengths, as if on a sprint mission. He was at least 30 meters ahead crossing the half way mark and it was a matter of time before Ice Cool would plod homewards, when he ought to be actually surging forward. The dangerous ploy fell flat when Winds of Fortune first and then Colossus started to eat up ground to call Suraj’s bluff. Ice Cool was overwhelmed by his owner-mate with roughly 250 meters from home and just when Winds of Fortune had taken over, Colossus made a very strong bid to steam in at the finish and easily overpower both the Wadhawan owned horses.

Zervan had played his cards right and even though Ice Cool had galloped on as far as he had done, Zervan was patient, reserving his resources to the very end. When Colossus made his forward surge he had much more to give than what it took. Colossus was simply brilliant and would have gone further away had it been necessary to go on for longer. It is learnt that the Stipes have hauled up Suraj Narredu and reported him to the stewards for the questionable tactics applied in this race.

The same Shroff-Zervan pair however, failed to complete a largely expected hat-trick with hot favourite Bullseye quoted at a cramped 45/100. Zervan, who has been riding like a dream for some time currently, showed that even a minor error can prove too costly.

All was well until they headed to take the turn. Matilda, Illustrious and Incentio were together holding the front. Bullseye was just behind the trio sandwiched between Monza on the rails and Forest Legion on the outside. Had Zervan waited until they had straightened up, he would have got the gap to surge through or could have easily sailed past the trio without doubt. Zervan however, switched to the outside even as they were taking the turn and that uncomfortable position forced Bullseye to go wee bit wider than she might have liked. Of course what I am stating is on hindsight after watching the race closely. That move, for me was fatal. Monza on the other hand, stuck to the rails and was fresh for her assault when the time came.

Bullseye yet looked good when she gathered momentum and shot ahead of the three in front. She stretched out well and even established a handy lead. Just as she was being hailed as the winner, Monza lit up and gathered terrific speed to come and knock the favourite out. Monza (Royal Gladiator – Capriani) in that short fiery burst knocked out the trebles, the’ kenchies’ and the ACWS within split seconds. The Narendra Lagad trained gelding had moved to the second in the final furlong and it took a super-blitz to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the nick of time. Zervan would have lamented that particular move and punched his palm when he would have watched the race again.

Dancing Prances (Ace – Dancing Greens), would have made his half brother, top class sprinter Dancing Glances proud, by winning the Diabolical Trophy in the manner he did. He was cruising all the way once he took charge even before they crossed the barrier-net at the start. Silver Streak jumped out quick and soon handed over the lead to Dancing Prances who was the shortest priced favourite (3/10) in the day.

Once into the homestretch, Dancing Glances effortlessly sailed further and further from the rest. Jockey Dashrath Singh moved his head to look behind more often than his hands as Dancing Glances proved simply too good for his rivals piling on a solid eight-and-half-length victory in just 1:11:06 which could have easily been logged well under 1:11 had he been ridden out.  The Altaf Hussain trainee looks a promising type and may well win another sprint in his next outing.

Borderline (Hymn – Romodia) added to her win tally galloping to her fifth victory in 14 starts. All her wins have come over the five-furlong scurry. She jumped out and darted straight into the lead and kept going at a nippy pace. National Glory tried to match strides with Borderline and succeeded to do so only until the turn. Once into the straight, Borderline stepped up momentum and left it to the others to try and catch up with her. No one could. Stringsofmyheart tried her best but simply could not make any impact. Daffodils surfaced from the rear in the final moments but only managed to cut down the margin of defeat. Class Apart looked like taking this run in getting into better shape and did well to finish third.

Borderline’s trainer Magan Singh Jodha had in the earlier race, saddled Adams Prince (Bluegrass Prince – Adams Light) to a decisive victory at his favourite odds (15 to 1) Thinking about it, it’s anybody’s favourite odds to win at anyways. Only, Magan does it a lot more often in getting it right.

Adams Prince did not get the best of starts and hung around in the rear of the closely huddled bunch. Adventurer brought the field into the straight and tried his best to stay at the helm as long as he could. Song of Praise came into contention and zipped past the leader. Soon Glowing Mist, Adams Prince and Amora made a forward charge. Adams Prince galloped resolutely to dart ahead in the final furlong and kicked away to score easily. The fight was severe only for the minor placing with Amora, Song Of Praise and Glowing Mist finishing closely in that order.

Laurus Pride (Royal Gladiator – Coco Beach) delivered after many start to finish attempts and this time looked determined to stay ahead all the way to the winning post. When they turned for home, Laurus Pride had a slender lead with Herzeliyah looking threatening for a brief while. Vaile Rouge came with a late bid and was covering ground but Laurus Pride did not loosen his stranglehold and managed to steer clear of the rest. Vaile Rouge had to be content with the runner up berth and Herzeliyah ended third just ahead of By The Way.

Wings of Glory (China Visit – Dazzling Queen) coasted into the lead getting past Aliyana, Red Tabasco and Catharsis soon on start. He set off on a fast pace to soon establish a good lead and entered the straight on a tight rein. Suraj waited for a while before signaling the Mansoor Shah ward to go for it. Wings of Glory strode out well and never looked in danger even when Home Factor shifted gears and tried to make a race of it. Wings of Fortune easily warded off the lone challenger and posted a fluent victory winning by a comfortable margin. Catharsis may have needed this run as he was running first time after being gelded in mid-September.

Imtiaz Sait’s National Pride (Gaswar – Super Mom) won the last race of the day and although she won by a comfortable two-lengths, she came in sharply for a brief moment causing Suntan Beauty’s jockey P Trevor to lodge an objection. Trevor cited that he was hindered by the winner’s sudden inward surge causing him a check. Suntan Beauty however, had ended way behind Desert Eagle to be third. The objection was duly overruled after the boys were given a hearing by the Stewards.

National Pride and Suntan Beauty headed the field as they turned for home. The former easily went ahead soon and apprentice jockey Ishwar Pardeshi could not prevent the filly drifting inwards. However, he was quick to react and push her forward and away. Desert Eagle came up with a good finishing effort. He was carrying a chunk of weight on his back (61.5)and that may have played a part in his not sustaining that momentum all the way. National Pride did finish on strongly and deservedly earned her first victory in her third outing.

For the Professionals, trainers Magan Singh Jodha and Pesi Shroff saddled a double each and jockeys, CS Jodha and S Zervan scored double each as well.