The long card of 10 events lined up on Sunday’s card brought the best out of one young man who has been consistently making his presence felt on the track - Jockey S Zervan. The hard working dedicated lad has been riding with aplomb and has proved an ideal student of the ace saddle artist turned champion trainer answering to the name - Pesi Shroff! Zervan over the years has picked up on his riding skills and his fine treble in competitive races just goes to show the application and hunger with which the boy has been taking his profession.

On Sunday, Zervan won three races and was stylish in the saddle. The biggest victory he scored was atop Shroff trained filly Mariinsky (Burden of Proof – Sabre Dance) bred at the Kunigal Stud Farm. You’re The Boss led them early on with Mariinsky settling close behind, with Zoraavar on the outside and the rest following in a tight bunch the last horse not too far away from the one in front.

Zervan was quick to pounce on the opportunity to go for the rails when You’re The Boss shifted out and provided him the gap. He shot through the rails and amassed a handy lead which held him in good stead at the all important end. He quickly egged Mariinsky to gather momentum and sped away. Starry Eyes, the other serious contender and a joint favourite along with Mariinsky started to eat up ground at a brisk rate starting her charge midway up the straight. Jockey Imran Chisty was all out and the two headed for a close finish, fighting hard all through the final furlong. Zervan kept his whip hand going and just about managed to thwart the threat with a neck verdict. Starry Eyes warmed up a tad too late but was speedy at the finish.

Zervan’s best of the day perhaps was his ride on Coccinella (Alnasr Alwasheek – Palazzio). He sat right behind at the tail end of the field. Coccinella, whose hither to five victories had all come over the sprint was in fact travelling over the mile for the first time. Zervan saved the filly tactfully until the very last moment as the heads turned for home.

Spirit of Mercy had led the field all the way into the homestretch and even after they turned for home, she was on tight rein. Spirit of Mercy was well in command as Silver Birch just could not get past despite an all out effort. Vittoria, Invictus and the others were not making any progress. Coccinella started to gain ground with awesome speed and with no undue effort from Zervan. She caught up with Spirit of Mercy in the final furlong and sped ahead. Spirit of Mercy put up some resistance but in the end Coccinella was a lot more assertive and recorded her first win over a mile and her 6th overall from 10 outings.

Archie (Muhtathir – Elouana) had a memorable debut as he came charging in only when asked to by Zervan. Settling well off at the rear, with only Curiosity behind him Archie followed the pace dictated by Mars and Foinaven. Noble Reward was just behind the front pair as they turned for home.

Mars was galloping well past the 400 and had Noble Reward trying hard to catch up. Archie was striding nicely but Zervan was not one in a hurry. He chose just the right time approaching the distance post to heckle Archie into action. Archie responded instantly and easily cut the lead, to finally surge past with a good degree of comfort. The job was done and dusted without much ado. Archie seems a quality colt and is one to watch out for.

Trainer Mansoor Shah chipped in with a lucrative double for owner Mr Haresh Mehta. He bravely took on the two biggest fields of 19 runners each and won both the races in close finishes, the betting certainly coming on both horses. This speaks volumes of Mansoor’s confidence.

Song of Sparrow (Jeremy – Shirley Moon) jumped out readily and got straight down to business striding alongside Wind Craft and sharing the lead. Strategy followed close behind the pair as they turned for home. Song of Sparrow accelerated very well and soon Sandesh had established a winning lead. Wind Craft fell back and Strategy could not improve; that made the job much easier for Song of Sparrow. Super Satin, who too was in with some late betting, warmed up far too late. She came with a powerful finishing effort that went in vain as she had too much to do with too little ground to manage in. Super Satin looked good while finishing ¾ lengths behind the winner and is worth noting for her next outing.

Mansoor struck in the very next race with Fire Falcon (Ontario – La Genereuse) but this time the finish went even closer.  Fire Falcon, Zoom Zoom and Arabian Glory took the best seats early in the race and were together as they turned for home. Once they straightened up, Fire Falcon and Zoom Zoom tore away from the rest.

The battle began past the 400 meters and Zoom Zoom did manage to put the tip of his nose in front in the final furlong. Imran Chisty atop Fire Falcon was not one to give up and he matched the efforts of jockey A Sandesh. Both went hammer and tongs and at the wire, Fire Falcon got the nod right to win by the proverbial whisker.

Snow Blaze (China Visit – Snow Tiger) changed tactics for the sharp scurry this time not hitting the front as usual. Jockey Jamie Spencer showed good judgment to pull off a last stride victory.  Aliyana had led the field into the straight with Free Verse in chase. Snow Blaze moved to the third, but was still some distance away. Free Verse galloped on gamely to shoot past Aliyana and looked heading for victory. Snow Blaze started to warm up in the final 100 meters and Spencer got the required response from Snow Blaze to collar Free Verse on the post. Purple Mokara came with a late charge to end a good third ahead of Port Blair.

Sugar Loaf (Diffident – Rave) displayed a sudden rush-of-blood to spring past leader Hills and Heights and later smother a late challenge for favourite Wings of Glory. Hills And Heights had a good lead coming into the straight and was going well too. At the distance post, it seemed like he would hold sway, but Sugar Loaf and Wings of Glory began to charge forward gaining on her. Hills and Heights wilted under the attack and Sugar Loaf snatched the upper hand with a few more strides to go. She had a good momentum going and all the late efforts of Sandesh astride Wings of Glory went in vain. Jockey PS Chouhan was in firm control and guided Sugar Loaf to a well-fought victory.

Bonobo (Pike Place Gold - Red Tie Lady) won the Harresh Mehra Trophy start to finish. The dark bay colt started off well and dictated the pace, which was at best, friendly. He entered the straight with a handy lead and jockey CS Jodha did well to keep him going. The true test came when Impressive Touch started to get too close for comfort. Bonobo and Impressive Touch fought stride for stride all the way in the final furlong and Bonobo stood up bravely to the challenge to stretch his neck at the wire.

Illustrious (Emerald Cat – Splendid) created a flutter in the day’s opening race with a clean gallop that left her rivals shocked. She came alive in the homestretch when Starlight Magic, Albuurz and Apocalypse were fighting to get one up on each other. Illustrious put in a sustained bid from the outside and floored the trio in front. She galloped away gallantly to leave no chance to the others from behind to launch a surprise attack. Encore improved towards the finish to end a good second ahead of Bongani and Check Her Out. Favourite Good Looking was never in the hunt.

For the professionals, the jockey-trainer team of Shroff and Zervan struck it rich combing to return with three winners. Trainer Mansoor Shah saddled a brace in what looked the most difficult races of the day.