Any field with just three runners could come about as a dampener in racing, particular when one of them is redundant, completely out of the reckoning. However, the fancied pair of Caesars Star and Rodeo performed to the galleries and provided a prolonged and highly palatable suspenseful drama. The fight for the General Obaidullah Khan Trophy had all the elements of an absolute thriller and ended in a dramatic last stride conquest.

In the betting ring too, both the horses shared almost equal support, Caesars Star attracting a negligibly higher wagering. Rodeo (Home Affairs – Rainbow Vision) was quick to dictate the race as he led clearly, going at a comfortable pace. Titian and Caesars Star followed in a file within striking distance all the way into the straight. Caesars Star made the first more as he started     his chase soon on turning for home. Rodeo too matched the challenge stride for stride. With the support equally divided, the decibels soared as they came into the final furlong. Caesars Star had come alongside Rodeo but the latter was fighting on. Rodeo produced one last ditch heave just when Caesars Star appeared to be gaining control and lunged at the winning post to stay one-up at wire. Sandesh’s ruling the pace and proceedings all the way and saving Rodeo to carry on until the last stride was commendable.

The other important Trophy race for the day – The Indian Air Force Trophy too saw a close finish. Anahi (Black Cash – Le Reve) was the popular fancy and the only chink in her armour most felt, was that she was racing after more than 100 days which was a bit too long. Also after her brilliant debut, she had not exactly scaled up her reputation in the subsequent two outings over longer trips. Now back to her winning distance, (1000m) Anahi was the favourite but at feasible odds (6/4 against).

At the business end, it was Rein In Spain, Josephine, Macedonian and Good Looking who were vying for command. Anahi had gone considerably wide. Good Looking took over inside the furlong and looked good with his strong finishing effort when Anahi produced a scintillating burst to devour ground with alacrity. She flew in the final 100 meters to peg back Good Looking in the nick of time. Macedonian and Rein In Spain followed them home, while Erotic Flame did well to cover a lot of ground to finish a close fifth.

Jockey S Zervan kept his good form going with another double in the day. He impressed in handling debutante Hail the King (Mathematician – Izwah) nursing the Hosidar Daji trainee to an impressive victory. Zervan settled the rookie in third behind runaway leaders Ace of Heart and Querida who were a good four-five lengths ahead. Ace of Heart galloped on for a while leaving Querida behind. Hail The King soon came charging in and picked up speed with each stride. He sailed ahead and in the final furlong looked dominant as he left the others far behind to pull off a stylish victory on debut. Plato ended chasing the winner and will improve after this outing.

Zervan then piloted Theology (Eljohar – Revelry) from Bezan Chenoy’s yard to a fluent victory justifying the quality support the mare enjoyed. Zervan improved positions at the turn and was in the thick of the cluster that had Bongani in the lead with under 400 to go. Xenia made a spirited bid briefly but failed to sustain. San Rafael too gave up after brief prominence. Bongani led them into the final furlong but was trying hard to stay ahead when Theology came along with super acceleration to sail past and post a facile victory. Bayblues finished on strongly in the last part to pip Bongani for the runner-up slot.

Trainer SK Sunderji was the lone trainer to saddle a double. His ward Amara (Ace – Queen Ernest) pulled off a very successful coup and won delightfully without causing any anxious moments to his followers. He was quickly out and set about striding alongside Prince Arius until the home turn. Once into the straight, Amara sailed smoothly into the lead. Jockey Vikram Jodha eased him into a fine rhythm and Amara responded by speeding away from competition. In the final furlong, Amara was all by himself commanding the opposition into submission. He won unchallenged and with complete authority. Hearthrob gained some salvation when he worked his way up to the runner-up rung coming from behind. Ice Age ended in the money.

Sunderji’s next success came with un-fancied Soli Deo Gloria (Tirol – Glorious Breaker) coming alive with a electric galloper to thwart the winning bid of another rank outside Habibian. There was an unfortunate mishap nearing the turn when Shahaab clipped favourite Bunga Bunga and fell. This may have affected the favourite as Bunga Bunga was not able to raise his game in the straight and fell back without offering any worthy challenge.

Habibian took off with a fiery run and was going well when Soli Deo Gloria started to inch closer. The duo fought out the final furlong in a gripping battle, the bob of the head finally going in favour of the Sunderji ward. Habibian too fought bravely and went down narrowly close home. Star Glory also ran a notable race to end a close third. Bunga Bunga may not been able to run her best and this run may best be ignored.

Altaf Hussain’s Zidaan (Mull of Kintyre – Adam’s Delight) showed superlative zip to ward off a stiff challenge from Malesh’s debutante Aigaion. The race picked up momentum when Zidaan took charge soon on straightening for home and established a handy lead. Aigaion had trouble coming through a troubled passage and broke free to make his run from the outside. Apprentice jockey Prabhu Naidu astride Zidaan did not let up and rode out his mount zestfully. Suraj Narredu atop Aigaion started to inch closer but had a lot to do in the last 200. He rode out Aigaion all the way but only managed to end on the haunches of the winner. Winston surfaced from the mid-bunch to end a good third. Aigaion did not do too badly for a newcomer and with this run under his belt, looks a good prospect to score early.

Mahima (Gaswar – Chasing Shadow) after two promising runs where she found one better each time, came into her own and posted her first victory this season. Expelliarmus led the field homewards and soon Zaracha took charge. The others were mounting pressure as they were getting closer to the front. Mahima weaved her way between horses and put her nose in front with less than 100 to go. Edge of Glory, the prime fancy made her bid from the outside. Zaracha never faded out and the trio were close to one another with Mahima holding on to a thin advantage. Jockey Neeraj Rawal went all out in the final few meters to stay ahead by just about a length. Oriental Sapphire came around when all was over, but did cover a lot of ground briskly enough to peg back Zaracha and Edge of Glory for the minor placing.

Song of Africa (Sussex – Arabian Shuffle) won the days opening race and this one floored the punters completely. The 25 to 1 shot was up in front alongside well-backed favourite Gottawearshades and the pair led from the word go. Into the straight, Gottawearshades forged ahead but was finding it difficult to shake off Song of Africa who was right on his tail. Arabian Chief who was with them on the inside could not quicken and fell back. Winds of Change started to cover ground at a good clip and even came abreast the duo fighting for the lead. IN the dying moments, Song of Africa and Winds of Change left the favourite behind and battled fiercely towards the winning post. Song of Africa just managed to crane his neck ahead on the wire to win narrowly. It was later announced that Winds of Change had broken a blood vessel.

Taj E Shahi (Emerald Cat – Gorgeous Princess) finally tasted victory in her sixth outing as she scrapped home by the narrowest of margins in a breathtaking finish. Taj E Shahi took charge soon on turning for home and was able to keep Captain Smart at bay although the latter was question her lead all the time. Taj E Shahi however galloped on and looked a safely away from threat when Emerald Fortune began to gather momentum. Fortunately for the favourite, Emerald Fortune timed his run a shade too late and fell short by a short head.

For the professionals, trainer SK Sunderji and jockey S Zervan scored a double each.