Narendra Lagad trained Native Knight (Placerville – Native Tactics) at seven years of age, did commendably well to beat three younger rivals (all 5 year olds) and win the Byculla Trophy for the second successive time. The 2800 meter race had few takers with Star Marques, Bling and Swift Memories taking on the last year winner. The markets though were fluctuating and the betting was revolving on Native Knight majorly, with good support for both Bling and Star Marques and a few also flirting with bets on Swift Memories. No horse in the fray was out of the reckoning. For the bookies, this was an ideal ‘Book-balancing’ race - which ever horse won, they could ensure they wouldn’t lose!

Bling showed the way from the start and the Swift Memories, Star Marques and Native Knight followed in a close order. Native Knight at the tail-end was just three lengths from Bling. They galloped at a friendly pace and quickened past the 1000 meter mark. Bling was galloping well on turning for home. Swift Memories was the first to wilt under pressure. Star Marques showed some spirit but Native Knight came dominantly alongside, gaining with every stride. Star Marques’ challenge ended there, just inside the final furlong.  There was just over a length to cover to account for Bling as Native Knight was gathering speed and finishing on with a strong forward surge inside the final furlong.

Bling fought hard too and made Native Knight earn his victory the hard way. Native Knight pulled all his might to the fore and collared Bling very close to the winning post and grab a neck verdict.  The trying St Leger-distance race ended with a fitting climax. Jockey P Trevor did his bit in contributing to the fabulous victory.

Narendra Lagad along with the always pleasant Begum Shaherbanoo Lagad representing Chetak Horse Racing proudly led in the winner. “He is a strong horse and is blessed with stamina coupled with good speed. He followed the same pattern of last year and fortunately the result too was same. He is absolutely sound; one has to be, for such a grueling trip. Each time, he does just about enough and today was no different. I now hope he has earned an invite to the Stayers’ Cup in Kolkata,” said Naren.

Seasoned professional Pesi Shroff added one more achievement to his long list when Zakhynthos (Ikhtyar – Placid) produced his first career win. Zakhynthos is the first horse owned by Pesi Shroff jointly with his wife Tina. The couple was making a debut as owners and tasted success with their very first attempt.

Zakhynthos was hither to winless from six outings. Jockey S Zervan was donning new silks – White, red sash, arm bands and cap, representing the Shroffs’ colours. Zakhynthos too seemed inspired as he truly ran the best race of his life to make it seventh time lucky!

Zakhythos was quick at start and Zervan was racing on the outside cautious not to go in too quickly. El Clasico led the field with Fortune Hunter also following closely.

As they turned for home, Zakhynthos grabbed the initiative and plundered away to establish a handy lead. Zervan was not too forceful on his pushing in the early half of the straight. He gradually stepped on it and was at a safe distance passing the distance post. Fortune Hunter has doing only enough to stay in position but not anything worthwhile to gain. Seven Seas took his time to get into top speed and came with a good final burst. He had a lot to cover on Zakhynthos and managed to do most, falling shy by a narrow half-length. Faramarz was the one to finish on fastest. He moved between horses and ended an impressive third. This Ones For You too made a serious bid, but failed to find a place in the frame, a good effort sans a matching result.

Jockey A Sandesh had a fantastic day carving out four winners including a hat-trick in the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th races. He started his remarkable roll with a victory atop Blue Ace (Ace – Blue Horizon).

This was touted as a two-horse race with Clinton and Blue Ace hogging all the betting. Neath came in for some surprising support at race time and saw a marginal drop on her price (7/1 to 21/4). However, Neath did precious little to justify that wagering.  The race panned out just as predicted with the top two fancies taking the top two places.

Blue Ace won untroubled from end to end. He took off on a sedate note over the mile race and gradually stepped up the pace to his own liking. Enlightenment behaved at the jump and was level although he chose to race in the rear, not awkwardly lagging behind the bunch. Blue Ace led them into the straight with Neath working hard to maintain her second position. Clinton began to make progress but was not making any impact on Blue Ace mush as he tackled Neath with ease.  Enlightenment came with a quality last furlong finish, but only managed to wipe off some deficit to end third. Sandesh guided Blue Ace to win with a degree of comfort.

Jockey Sandesh’s three in a row began with an eye-popping win astride Mountbatten (Rock of Gibraltar – Sharatila). Alecto had made all the initial running and brought in the field with a sizable lead in the bank. However, he could not make it count and was soon challenged and passed by Mon Ami and Mountbatten. Viva Zapata and Crisp were trying to make their presence felt when Starring produced a zipping gallop. He took the wide gap between Mon Ami and Mountbatten and showed up through the pair to even head Mountbatten briefly. Sandesh rode out Mountbatten and despite shifting out considerably, stayed ahead at the all important wire to win by a neck. Starring was shocked yet again and his not-so-lucky trend continued. Mon Ami ended bagged the place money with a good effort.

Sandesh was partnering Dallas Todywalla’s debutante Emperor of France (Black Cash – Selerina’s Song) over a six-furlong sprint in the maiden’s class. He ran like a potential champion and out classed his rivals winning by an awesome seven lengths. There was not one to challenge this Emperor’s reign on the turf.  

Sandesh and Emperor of France dominated the proceedings right from the outset. They took off at a nippy pace and entered the straight with Rewarding Desire in chase. At the start, Alaindair failed to jump out level and Daniel Grant unbalanced and forced to dismount Celtic King.

Emperor of France picked up momentum in the straight and sailed ahead and away from Rewarding Desire and company to rise his winning flag long way from home. He romped home clear of the rest to make an impressive debut. Rewarding Desire’s hopes of finishing runner up were thwarted as Aravali covered considerable ground to pip the former in a close finish for the second spot.

Sandesh then piloted hot favourite Twilight to a popular win causing no anxious moments to his large supporters. Twilight (Noverre – Crystal Flite) was up in front alongside Siriska and had Astromia close along. The trio turned for home abreast with Ice Empire a length or two away. Siriska and Twilight shook off Astromia and matched strides past the 300. From there on, Twilight gathered speed and shot ahead to establish a winning lead coming into the final furlong with a fast and furious gallop. Twilight looked the winner the moment she left Siriska behind and none from the rear came anywhere close to question her authority. She galloped to her second victory this season with majestic strides. Siriska was beaten to third by Ice Empire in the closing stages of the race. Adams Vision was the one who progressed much in the straight to end a short head behind long time leader Siriska.   

Winds Of Fortune (Kheleyf – Finnie) carried her good form to score another impressive victory this time over 2000 meters. Keeping in check Dashrath Singh held Winds of Fortune in the last position all the way into the straight, but was never too far away from the action. Word of Honour expectedly led the bunch with Ascot Magic in tow, the rest were following in a tight bunch.

Word of Honour surrendered his lead easily when Ascot Magic came alongside and took charge. Mountain force tried hard but failed to gain even an inch. The rest were not up to it either, which is when Winds of Change shifted gears and lanes to make her run on the very wide outside, from the centre of the track. Winds of Fortune devoured ground with a fiery gallop and she was far too convincing than any of her earlier runs. She ate up Ascot Magic & Co like a piece of cake! She was neither whipped nor urged aggressively. Dashrath just gathered her and coxed her with rhythmic hands and heels. She has struck terrific form and is likely to stretch her win tally sooner than later.

Izarra (Placerville – One Magic Moment) put in a lively performance particularly in the final stages of the race to track down Magic Star who was shaping like a winner just meters from the winning post. Magic Star had led them homewards and was showing no signs of quitting. Izarra was a couple of lengths behind with Ice Skates trying to make a race of it but was gaining far too little. Magic Star had a decent lead in the final furlong that looked good to last until Izarra showed electric speed to surge ahead as if finding an extra gear. He got to Magic Star inside the final 100 and had enough speed to get past and force a well-deserved victory.

Magic Star had to be content with the runner-up slot with Ice Skates taking the place money. Favourtie Be Positive had no hand to play. He probably received a check early on in the race and had too much to do in the straight. He improved positions and did well to take a place in the frame.

Absolute Star (Senure – Love Call) confounded the followers of form to dish out a glaring defeat to her fancied rivals and came up with a good run in the latter half of the straight. Allegiance was heading towards the winning post when Absolute Star pounced on his at the distance post. Arabian Lord was stuck on the rails and lost crucial time wriggling out. He surged forward but did not have neither time nor ground to make a complete bid.  Absolute Star had the momentum going and carved out a narrow win. Allegiance, Arabian and Blessed finished in a heap to end close to one another in that order.

Hormuz Antia trainee Gottawearshades (Greensmith – Modesty Blaise) kept his date with victory and the even-money favourite obliged with a start to finish victory. 

Things went like clock-work for the favourite as Zervan got him speeding to the front. He came into the straight leading by two-lengths to The Saint and Let it Fly. National Ikon was covering ground too.  In the final furlong, Gottawearshades kicked on gamely and neither The Saint nor Let it Fly made any impression. National Ikon was taking time warming up and once he did, he covered a lot of ground, but by them Gottawearshades was home and dry. National Ikon finished a good second and is a next outing prospect.  

For the professionals, Jockey Sandesh stood with his four winners. Jockey S Zervan kept his consistency going by riding out two winners. Trainers Dallas Todywalla and MK Jadhav saddled a double each.