Two Graded races highlighted the Sunday after the Indian Derby with a card of nine events, all trophy races - one a lightning scramble for the Dr SC Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Gr2) and the other more sedate and strategically inclined Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr2), over the traditional mile and quarter distance. Both races were run in contrasting styles, naturally, but the latter was far slower than normal, the initial half at too slow a pace for a top class race.

The Dr SC Jain Sprinters’ Championship race had a quality line-up of eleven runners. Earning a nomination to the Sprinters’ Cup at Kolkata surely had inspired the runners as Elena bolted out of the gates and galloped at a nippy pace. Weizhou and Rajasthan Royals were very close to the leader with Hachiko making progress to be well in touch with the front bunch. Coccinella and Ishpingo were right there too, the rest followed in close order with Nefyn in the rear.

Elena showed up first in the straight, but was hotly hounded by the pack gaining from behind. Ishpingo was the first to challenge for the lead. He had barely put his nose in front when Nefyn (Senure – Machrihanish) shot through horses to zip past Ishpingo. Once Nefyn headed the field, he galloped on strongly and looked the winner past the distance post. Coccinella put in a good finishing effort to run a noteworthy second. Although Coccinella covered good ground in the latter half of the homestretch, she never looked like questioning Nefyn’s superiority. She was however, the best of the beaten lot.

Amadeus came in far too late but beat a good lot of speeding competition to finish a good third. Ancient Wonder, who looked his best this season, ran on to end a close fourth, just managing to push out Ishpingo out of the judge’s frame.

Nefyn has had his share of fitness issues and now it appears that it’s a thing of the past. He had won the Noshir and Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million on the Nanoli Pune Derby day in October. His first run this season was in the Gracias Saldanha Memorial Million was a disaster in terms of luck of the race, yet he managed to end fifth. He notched his eighth career win in just 13 starts. He is all of seven years, but with the 1:10:04 timing he clocked for the in the Jain Sprinters’ he surely looks a top contender for the Sprinters’ Cup. Interestingly, Nefyn clocked 1:10:13 on his debut in Pune in 2009. His personal best however, is 1:09:60 on October 14^th 2012. So the years have not slowed him down. And as they say, Class is permanent!

Ms Shivantika Jain, granddaughter of Dr SC Jain did the presentation honours. The Jain family graced the presentation podium and Mrs S C Jain awarded a oil on canvas art work to a lucky winner of the contest of skill. Mr KN Dhunjibhoy presented a memento on behalf of the Club to Dr SC Jain.

The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr2) had only four runners. Maple Star had fewer supporters despite her win in the Indian Oaks. Onassis (13/10) was the prime fancy followed by Astapi.(9/4).

Maple Star, relying upon her success by running early ahead in the Oaks, went a step further and hit the front right from the outset this time. However, she galloped at a friendly pace for most of the journey. The pace picked up only past the 800 m mark and Maple Star entered the straight with a slender lead. Onassis (Glory of Dancer – Rahy’s Serenade) was still on tight reins when Astapi joined him on the outside. Approaching the distance post, Maple Star was looking vulnerable when Astapi and Onassis started to apply pressure. It looked for a moment that Onassis would get hemmed in between Maple Star and Astapi, but one can’t pin Richard Hughes down, never in a smaller field. Richard got aggressive and forced his way through what looked an inexistent gap. He burst into the lead inside the final furlong to romp home in style. Astapi just managed to pip Maple Star for the runner up berth.

Mr Byramjee Jeejeebhoy gave away the trophy to owners M/s Vijay Shirke, KN Dhunjibhoy and Farouq Rattonsey. “I was disappointed with the small field, but the quality of race and the thrilling finish made up for it,” said Mr Jeejeebhoy, sponsor of the Eclipse Stakes for several years now.

Trainer Pesi Shroff scored again in the very next race with Storm Tracker (Weather Warning – Wolanstonita) who enjoyed wide support in the ring. The impressive winner in Mumbai over a mile earlier had ventured to Hyderabad for the Golconda Derby. He shrugged off the ordinary Hyderabad performance and galloped to a convincing victory back on home turf.  

Storm Tracker settled down nicely in the third position behind leader Que Sera Sera and Set To Fly, with Seven Seas on the inner rails. Zervan showed no hurry and waited until they were well into the homestretch before easing Storm Tracker to the front. Storm Tracker took charge midway in the straight and easily galloped away from them all. Hidden Goodness improved well in the final furlong to claim the runner-up berth beating Set to Fly and Seven Seas in the process.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait reaped a rich double through Invictus in the opening race of the day and Home Advantage in the concluding event.

Invictus (Roaring Fever – Eishin Paris) produced a fighting effort as the finish was a close one with the top five contenders finishing within three lengths. Angel Child was the one to finish detached but only by one and half length. The rest mingled in the finish.

Enlightenment was the first casualty as he refused to jump out and then refused to gallop once he did. Rodeo too was slow into the stride, but covered ground briskly to soon hit the front. As they turned for home, Rodeo was challenged jointly by Swift Memories and Invictus. Halle was right behind them and Angel Child went wider out to make her final bid.  

Invictus gave it his all and charged ahead with 300 to go. Swift Memories was trying to find the extra gear but was failing to do so. Rodeo was right with them, doing only as much to keep him adrift. Halle was the one to catch up fast but had left it for too late. She covered a couple of lengths but narrowly failed to collar Invictus who kept going all the way through.

Home Advantage (China Visit – Magical Romance) ran the best race of his life to run away with the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Salver despite drifting out in the final stages of the race. This was his maiden victory and it took 10 starts to achieve this, but he won it in style, finally living up to expectations after more than a couple of promising runs.

The front bunch was crowded with Star Builder, Schwartz, Brunello and Miracle of Mercy rubbing shoulders to get one up. Eclipsed and Wish Upon A Star came next with Home Advantage in the mid-bunch. Winning Destiny and the rest followed close behind. The charge began soon on turning for home, with Star Builder kicking on. Schwartz failed to quicken and faded out. Brunello never got going and he too bowed out. Miracle of Mercy was just being noticed when Home Advantage unleashed a sparkling run. He tore away from the pack and coasted to a solid victory with a healthy margin of over four lengths. He was finishing on full of steam and would do well over an extended trip as well. That’s the impression he gave while outclassing his opponents with authority.

Chicharito was the fastest of the beaten lot and ended covering a lot of ground managing to peg back Winning Destiny for the second spot. Eclipsed ran on to find a place in the frame at the expense of Miracle of Mercy.

The Dr Jagjit Singh Owners’ Tribute Million ironically saw a rough finish in contrast to the late singer’s soothing voice that the gazal maestro was loved for. At the business end, it was a three-way fight for the finish with another half a dozen scrambling to finish on board. El Classico had just taken over from Yardstick soon on turning for home.

El Classico was going well when Gararo and Mon Ami started to draw closer. Past the distance post, El Classico was fighting hard to stay in contention. Gararo and Mon Ami were going all out when Mon Ami shifted in and bumped into Gararo. Gararo in turn passed it on to El Classico who too was badly hampered and the second bump unbalancing jockey Martin Dwyer. Mon Ami’s rider Prabhu Naidu was way too focused on winning and bumped Gararo more than once. Mon Ami won the race on the track, with Gararo and El Classico alongside. Su O Moto ran through traffic and did well to manage to take the fourth place.

Both Jockeys Ashhad Asbar (Gararo) and Martin Dwyer (El Classico) lodged objections, Asbar against Naidu and Dwyer against Asbar. The Stewards ruled to uphold Asbar’s objection thus giving Gararo the race. Dwyer’s objection against Asbar was overruled, however, since Mon Ami had initiated the bumping and boring which had indirectly affected El Classico, Mon Ami was relegated to the third spot and El Classico promoted to second.

Mrs Chitra Singh wife of late Dr Jagjit Singh gave away the trophy to the winning connections amidst lilting gazals of the late singer being played in the Club’s audio system.

Starry Eyes (Multidimensional – Pricewise) completely outclassed her opponents posting a massive eight length victory to win the Arpan & Arti Million without toil. She was a handy second at the turn just behind Prince Academy and surged smoothly ahead with David Allan not having to do much. Starry Eyes galloped smoothly and accelerated well and provided Allan an armchair ride to victory. Forest Vision tried to match strides, but was completely overshadowed by Starry Eyes. Dixie Delight finished on well among the others in the fray and ended a close third behind Forest Vision. Starry Eyes was extremely impressive and is the one to watch out for among the new crop.

Panthera (Placerville – Tide of Fortune) won the Arjav Diamonds Trophy showing good speed to outpace the rest that included a listless performance from You’re The Boss, the prime favourite. Panthera took charge early in the straight, easily getting past You’re The Boss who offered no resistance whatsoever. Panthera gathered momentum and was soon sailing smoothly towards the winning post, literally unchallenged. La Traviata covered some ground to finish a decent second ahead of Feast of Love. Zaagros too ran on from behind to end in the frame.

Kismat (Senure – Untold Story) with Dashrath Singh atop galloped to her maiden success after changing stables to reside under M Narredu’s care. Dashrath settled Kismat in the fourth spot chasing leader Prince Arius, Sizzling Love and Windmill Lady at the turn. Once into the straight, Prince Arius was fighting constantly to remain in contention. Windmill Lady was looking to slip in through the rails when Kismat made his charge.

Kismat galloped resolutely and soon worked up a handy lead. Bella Figura started to bridge the gap but could make no impact on Kismat. Bella Figura ended a tame second as Kismat kicked on to score easily. Windmill Lady claimed the place money while Bat Yam improved to finish in the frame.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and Imtiaz A Sait saddled a double each.