The compact six-race card for Thursday’s races saw a few upsets and some well-fought finishes, no horse really dominating or winning by a wide margin. The biggest upset was in the three-horse race in the day’s opening race itself. Of the three, Clarion Call was only making the number and was not expected to make an impact. That left only Ambrosia and Okavango as the real contenders. Ambrosia had given Okavango a sound thrashing when they last met, so enjoyed the status of the prime favourite and rightly so. However, Ambrosia was taking on Okavango over an extended trip and like the latter, was going over the Derby trip for the first time.

Okavango (Major Impact – Another Time) took over the running soon on start and although he stretched out to establish a fairly big lead, he kept it at a slower pace. Clarion Call followed about 4 to 5 lengths behind and Ambrosia was a good ten lengths further back. They went about their motions in about the same pattern most of the way. Nothing changed really, even after they turned for home as far as Okavango was concerned. Obviously, he was not bothered who finished second as long as he won the race. Ambrosia had cut off the huge deficit considerably, but was still a few lengths from Okavango who was galloping at the same pace he had started off with.

In the straight, Okavango kicked on merrily and left it to Ambrosia to do all hard work of catching up. Ashish was well in control and the handy lead did come in handy. Ambrosia covered ground towards the finish, but Okavango had it covered and pulled off a minor upset with ease. Zervan may not have expected Okavango to last out the journey as Okavango eventually did. On hindsight, he had given too much leeway to the winner. Okavango dictated the pace which suited him to the brink. In Ambrosia’s defense, Okavango clearly had the weight advantage. He came off much better compared to their last encounter. Okavango exploited this to the hilt. Strategy did play a part in Okavango’s victory and this time the Okavango camp had got it dead right.

Trainer M Narredu had begun well and had two other major runners in the day to go. He won them both to score a high-return treble. 

Bombardier (Steinbeck – Only Royale) after two ordinary performances on record, was turning out much better prepared for his third essay. He had worked well, put on condition and looked alert in the paddock. He had to contend with Feast of Love and Rock The Turf the latter saw some waging come on him at race time.

Feast of Love, Bombardier and Cosmic Dancer formed the front line of leaders soon on start. Baroness was racing close behind in fourth as they turned for home. Feast of Love lead narrowly with Bombardier looming large on the outside. Bombardier was urged on by Danny Grant and took his time to surge forward what with Feast of Love not ready to surrender. The duo fought it out briefly with Bombardier gaining on with every stride. In the final furlong, Bombardier started to move forward and away from Feast of Love. Baroness was the one who gained the most in the final 100 meters and is the one to watch out for in her next outing.

Aigaion (Razeen – Persephone) won the last race of the day with a lot more authority that it seemed when Calypso Queen came on strongly to narrow down the margin. Aigaion took his time to get into the thick of things, galloping from the bid bunch to be a close fourth in the straight. Foxtrot drifted inwards and Dreamliner was inconvenienced as he was tightened for room on the rails. Aigaion moved up quickly to grab the initiative approaching the distance post and shot away towards the winning post. Calypso Queen gathered good momentum in the final stages to finish on well, but by then Aigaion was home and dry.

Trainer Nina Lalvani’s Nush (High Chaparral – Dance With Style) produced her best and was rewarded with her maiden victory on her fourth start. Settling into the third spot behind runaway leader Jen’s Glory and Glowing Star, Nush made good progress to take charge past the 400 meter mark. Act of War, the hot favourite, was moving up places, but Nush by then had established a handy lead. Octopaul tried hard to match strides when Act of War was making his final run, but fell back. Act of War was ridden out, but Nush was simply too good on the day. Nush galloped on to post her maiden victory with a measure of comfort. Act of War yet again failed to make it count. A furlong less would probably be the best distance for his to strike.  Octopaul ran on to end a tame third.

Trainer Altaf Hussain also enjoyed leading Electra (Imtiyaz – Slide By) in the next race in a hard fought race. Sizzling Love led them into the straight and the prime favourite Bella Figura was prominently poised to strike at just that moment. However, at the business end, Bella Figura was blown away by lesser fancied horses. Electra showed up full of running and got past them all. Jockey P Trevor kept a tight stranglehold once he captured the lead and stayed ahead winning by ¾ from the fast finishing Ptolemy.  Daughterofdestiny too showed some spark and ended a neck behind the runner up.

Asad Siddiqui’s Super Satin (Black Cash – Riding High) lived up to the promise she had shown in her last start and was another maiden who chose the day to taste first blood in her fourth start. Super Satin showed a lot of character and jockey Ashhad Asbar too rode her courageously. She was under pressure with the two horses in front hampering her getting a clear passage.  

As the heads turned for home, Izarra was closest to the inner rails and accompanying him was Wind Craft, half-money favourite Port Blair was just making a forward move and was travelling fairly well too. Super Satin was full of steam but had nowhere to go. Time was running out for jockey Asbar to decide which way to switch and he took a couple of strides in contemplating his next move. Port blair had a clear passage in front and was just about to speed away when a narrow gap opened up in front for Asbar. The young jockey took the risk and poked between the horses and once he showed daylight to Super Satin, the filly sped away to romp home in style. Post Blair was squarely beaten.

For the Professionals, trainer Malesh Narredu stood out winning three races on the day. His jockey DK Ashish was the only jockey to score a double.