The Ramnivas Ramnarian Ruia Gold Cup (Gr2) lived up to expectations and the top three contenders were involved in a gripping fight. Machiavellianism looked a touch gross in the paddock and saw a steep increase to his ante-post quote, going up from 6/4 to 5/2 at race time. Shivalik Hero and An Acquired Taste were next in demand, while the rest were at ‘asking’ odds. The scrutiny for the staying prowess of this year’s Classic aspirants was on the cards. The excitement was obvious as the horses entered the gates for the Indian Derby lead-up race, a mile-and-quarter affair.

Sumo set the tone at a crisp pace and led the field until the home turn. Amazing Desire, Hurricane Wind, Commander and An Acquired Taste were in the front bunch. Shivalik Hero and the rest were galloping behind four lengths or so behind the front bunch. Machiavellianism was further behind and Montezuma was switched off completely and racing at the rear along with New World.

Once into the straight, jockey S John astride An Acquired Taste, in a brave move, rushed to the front to snatch the lead with 400 more to go. Shivalik Hero too saw that move and surged forward in overdrive mode. Soon Machiavellianism too started to hound these two. New World meanwhile, got the opening in the mid-bunch and made good progress. Montezuma was not as fortunate and had to take the turn considerably wide.

The final 300 meters opened up a thrilling build-up with An Acquired Taste holding a slight upper hand and Shivalik Hero and Machiavellianism posing a threat all the way. All three were ridden all out the jockeys keeping their whip hands busy. Shivalik Hero drew a wee bit closer but An Acquired Taste had it well covered to stay ahead by a narrow half-length margin. Machiavellianism ended another length back, little over a length ahead of New World who was a surprise for a berth in the frame. Hemisphere finished one off the frame, not too far ahead of the luckless Montezuma.

The margin of victory does not throw out a clear Derby prospect. And with the all important 400 more for the Derby distance the speculation is still hanging. Certainly there is no predominantly overwhelming favourite spotted yet.  The suspense is carried over to the Indian Derby early February.

Bullseye (Kheleyf – La Cienega) just about managed to return triumphant enduring a rough passage and a savage challenge all through the final furlong. Jockey Joseph O’Brien needed to bring all his skills into play to pull this one off in a testing race. Masterofthesky, Autumn Rush and Incentio were galloping at a lively pace with Bullseye well in touch. Arctic Minstrel and Forest Legion were not too far behind either.

Into the straight, Masterofhtesky and Autumn Rush were fighting hard to stay in contention when Bullseye saw his chance as Incentio was dropping back. On first reactions, O’Brien appeared to prefer to ease Bullseye into the lead. But the alert jockey saw Arctic Minstrel and Forest Legion unleash their run in top gear. In a split-second change of mind, O’Brien too shifted gears and went all out. He pegged back Arctic Minstrel who had her nose in front and then went on to finish strongly to win with aplomb.

Blue Ace (Ace – Blue Horizon) marched on gallantly for an overdue victory this time claiming the Greater Mumbai Police Trophy in style. With Zervan to guide his fortunes, Blue Ace was in good hands Zervan rode a perfectly scripted race to return victorious.

It was Brunello who led early with Blue Ace in second position, the rest were in close order. Blue Ace took charge soon on turning for home and stepped on it establishing a handy lead in quick time.  Barringo moved up places and tried to chase down the favourite, but all his efforts were in vain. Blue Ace looked a lot stronger in his finish and never gave even a ghost of a chance to his rivals. Barringo ended chasing the winner. Celestial Call improved a notch to pip Brunello for the third spot.

Neona  (Ace – Victory and Gold) kept her date with victory without undue fuss. She took over from early leader Step Up coming into the straight and galloped away with finesse giving no chance to her opponents. Daniel Grant had little to do than guide the filly homewards. Bizarro tried to power his way closer, but just couldn’t match up to the brilliance of Neona. Sacred Soul was the best of the beaten lot to surge forward in the final stages to peg back Bizarro for the runner-up spot. Neona’s was a spotless victory.

Yellowzone (Phoenix Tower – Merwaha) showed solid improvement   over her debut run and spanked the opposition to post her maiden victory in supreme fashion. Rio was the prime fancy and duly took up the running in an attempt to go start to finish. He looked good coming into the straight and approaching the distance post as well. However, the moment Yellowzone started to accelerate, it was curtains for Rio’s hopes of scoring this time. Yellowzone finished on with alarming speed to easily sail past Rio and add a further couple of lengths at the winning post. Panthera got her bearing s right just inside the final furlong and Rio bore the brunt a second time while being relegated to the third spot.

Imtiaz Sait’s Blind Date (Mr Mellon – Band of Gold) shot into the lead soon on start and made them all chase him all the way. He scorched the turf initially and entered the straight with a handy lead and kept the good work going right through. Mahiki was the only one to pose some sort of a fight but Blind Date had enough to take him through for his maiden victory. Mahiki did show some spark and ended a fighting second. Cerro Negro showed some late zest in the final stages too earned some place money.  Castletroy disappointed as she did not raise any hope while finishing a tame fourth.

Winds Of Fortune (Kheleyf – Finnine) ridden by Suraj Narredu pulled off an easy victory at lucrative odds (7/2) to score his second win this season. He has been in good touch and after his close second over 2400 to Colossus, he dismissed the notion that he was back on track a tad too early. He showed he was fresh when he settled in second behind Perfect Strength for the 1800 meters race.

Winds of Fortune took up the running from Perfect Strength turning for home and then galloped on smoothly, in firm control of the situation. Antonius Maximus put up some resistance towards the finish, but Winds of Fortune thwarted this attempt with ease. He romped home although the verdict showed just one length.

Roswald, who had finished third in the race was relegated to fourth and Myla Rose promoted to third following an objection by jockey DK Ashish that was upheld by the stewards. Ashish stated that Zervan atop Roswald had interfered badly, taking his ground and causing him a severe check. That did happen near the distance post and did have a bearing on the chances of Myla Rose. The stewards agreed with Ashish’s point of view and upheld the objection, reversing the judge’s placing with the two horses involved.

The backers of hot favourite Vaile Rouge could not be blamed for their disappointment as Vaile Rouge slipped from a winning position with only a few meters to go. Vaile Rouge was backed down heavily and was quote at on money at race time. He was on a constant improvement mode approaching the bend and rose to a striking position coming into the homestretch. He soon converted that good effort to sail into the lead and keeping a good momentum going. However, in the final furlong, Quando Quando showed terrific acceleration to catch the fleeing Vaile Rogue. In the last 100 meters Quando Quando flew in to surge past Vaile Rogue and spoil his party. Midnight Lady ran on to finish third.

Wish Upon a Star (Noverre – Noble Excellency) won the concluding race of the day to the thrill of the followers of the favourites. The well-backed gelding from Sunderji’s yard did just enough to win it for his connections and supporters.

Amora had grabbed the lead soon on turning for home and was galloping well. Soon Wish Upon a Star started to draw closer. Amora still had a two-length lead inside the final 200, and Ishwar Perdeshi was working hard to get Wish Upon a Star going. The gelding warmed up just in time and a brief dazzle lunged forward to crane his neck in front just a few meters from the wire. He did enough to pick his maiden victory In his ninth outing.

For the professionals, trainer Cooji Katrak and apprentice jockey Ishwar Perdeshi scored a double each.