Lesser fancied Fortune Favours (Glory of Dancer – Vantage) (20/1)fought out with another outsider in Cactus Cash (12/1) in a close finish that saw the well-backed trio of My Freedom, Domingo and  Negotiator fall aside, as favorites took a huge walloping at the Mumbai racecourse on Wednesday. Only one favourite obliged in the seven-race card, which was in the day’s concluding event.

The market trends in the Icebreaker Trophy were shared between the three cited above, while Cactus Cash, You’re The Boss and Fortune Favours were at asking odds. Negotiator was quick to start and set his own pace. Cactus Cash settled in second with Domingo behind. Fortune Favours, My Freedom and You’re The Boss were close to one another in the rear. The only filly in the bunch won the race. 

Negotiator was the first into the straight, but when he was expected to turn on the heat, he was found wanting. Cactus Cash surged ahead and had barely taken the lead when Fortune Favours started to quicken in the nick of time. Dashrath Singh got Fortune Favours to accelerate in the final furlong to collar Cactus Cash just a stride or two shy of the winning post.  He had given the Sanjay Kolse filly a steady build up to unleash her best in the final fifty. Cactus Cash shaped well but was overwhelmed in the final moments of the race. Cactus Cash need not be disappoint as his too was a good effort. Negotiator, was running first time after being gelded and may have needed this run. Domingo showed sparks of fight, but did not pose any threat to the pair in front. My Freedom disappointed and will need to scale up a notch or two if he has to score soon.

Dashrath Singh had scored in the earlier race with second in demand Mateus Rose (Warrshan – Pas de l’Argent) in a late burst of speed, timed to perfection. She had to collar not one but two opponents who were fighting for the upper hand close home.

Alecto, the on money favourite did everything right for most part of the five-furlong scurry. He led from the start and entered the homestretch looking to pull it off with a measure of comfort. Capri was in chase but had to cover a deficit of about three lengths with less than 400 to go. Mateus Rose a further two behind. Past the distance post, Alecto looked in control, but Capri started to eat up ground at a good clip making Alecto look a little shaky.  Capri shot past Alecto but was soon challenged by Dashrath ridden Mateus Rose. The Narendra Lagad trainee flew towards the finish to pip Capri on the post.

Dashrath Singh struck again in the concluding race of the day providing some respite to the followers of favorites. He partnered SK Sunderji’s Brave Vision (Senure – Desert Sunrise) to an easy victory and did it almost end to end. Hill Ranger kept him company up in front with the rest following in a close bunch, but for Roger BCool who had got off to a tardy start.

Once into the straight, Dashrath urged Brave Vision to the front and away from Hill Ranger. Albuurz went in chase and ended up doing so once Brave Vision accelerated further away in the final 100 meters. This Ones For You came from a long way back to end a good third just ahead of Apocalypse, also one to improve towards the finish.

The day began with signs of doom for punters who follow favourites as New World (7/10) failed to catch up with Monet who galloped merrily in the front right from the outset.

Monet (Ikhtyar – Allies Serenade) darted to the front soon on start and quickly established a handy lead. Zervan kept her going at a brisk pace rooting to drive home the six-kilo advantage he enjoyed on the scales. Honest Pleasure and Cypress point were mere passengers. Monet galloped homewards and had a good momentum going. He had done everything right and it was up to new World to do all the catching up. New World did wipe off some deficit, but Monet and Zervan were never in danger. New World seemed to have carried with him some wear and tear of his tough Derby assignment and never looked like scoring at any stage. He looked good for the task in the paddock though, but simply couldn’t get his act together this time. With some rest, New World could make amends. Monet gave his backers a lot to cheer about.

Amitayus was another costly disappointment for the punters. He lost out to a rookie in One Wish (China Visit – Flowersoftheforest) without ever being in the thick of things at any stage. Star Builder led the field into the straight and had a handy lead too. However, the others soon caught up with Purple Mokara making a serious bid a lot earlier than in the previous couple of occasions.

One Wish made all the right moves as jockey Kishore Kadam guided the Hormuz Antia ward through gaps on the rails to be in a good position to make his final bid. The debutante struck gold in his first outing when he galloped ahead past Purple Mokara in the final furlong to win in a splendid fashion, making his first run count. Purple Mokara was unlucky to miss the bus, as she too ran a good race.  Matrioshka improved towards the end to run into place money, edging out Miracle of Mercy in the process. Amitayus got stuck between horses and could never get out of the rut. When Zervan did finally pull him out, it was all over.

Strategy (Chatham Strait – I’m Sensational) hit when least expected and turned in a neat finishing run to clip the hopes of favourite Stormyday who fought on until the end. Stormyday and Strategy rubbed shoulders right from the start and never allowed any other runner to get past.

Showing good early speed, both Stormyday and Strategy galloped out in front. Burgundy Rose, Mr Morrison and Quando Quando raced close behind with the rest not too far away. As they turned for home, both Stormyday and Strategy matched strides. Burgundy Rose got an invite along the rails, but she squandered a lovely chance and faded away. Mr Morrison tried hard to get the duo in front, but his weight started to tell. Strategy held a slight sway in the final furlong. Stormyday fought hard and even began to renew his effort. However, Strategy had it all covered and held on the narrow advantage to score his first victory in his 11th outing, turning out to be a perfect example of the adage, perseverance pays.

Blue Knight (Placerville – Blurr) performed with a lot of courage and determination to thwart a serious challenge from Kalinga Star. Suzonia led until into the straight and retired. Delgado was being ridden out when Blue Knight moved up to pass him with ease. Delgado continued to fight on and was right on the tail of Blue Knight when Kalinga Star with Dashrath Singh atop came up with a stiff bid. He came almost abreast with Blue Knight, but Neeraj Rawal had something saved for such an emergency.  He gathered Blue Knight and egged him on and to the delight of his supporters, Blue Knight gave it his all and prevailed by a narrow margin.

Jockey Dashrath Singh was the lone pro to score a fine treble.