The CN Wadia Gold Cup day was as colourful as Mrs Maureen Wadia always makes it with delightful performances by adorable little children. The fancy dress and the dances were refreshing and the appreciative crowd encouraged the kids to do their bit in the paddock. Some peppy Bollywood numbers brought the best out of the kids and the RWITC Chairman KN Dhunjibhoy waqs seen happily giving away the prizes for the competition winners. The aura was joyous and entertaining at well.

On the racing side, jockey S Zervan was in his elements riding home four winners including a hat-trick in the latter half of the race card.  Zervan was particularly astute in shaping Monet’s winning the plum event of the day – The CN Wadia Gold Cup (Gr2) in a close finish involving more fancied Nadia. Zervan sure has graduated rapidly into a jockey of good caliber and in the Wadia Cup showed immense understanding on judging the pace well. He made all the right moves and all those moves were bold moves that were brave and with an element of risk as well. He pulled off a couple of new tricks out the bag to fox Nadia, by quickening for home sooner thereby stealing a march and gaining crucial ground coming into the straight. That ploy paid off as Zervan’s early move meant a good handy lead without taking too much out of Monet, who galloped on to stave off a serious bid from Nadia at the business end.

Bling led them all the way and when it mattered, she failed to produce any energy and went off without a whimper. Zervan settled Monet (Ikhtyar – Allies Serenade) behind the leader just ahead of Spearhead. Caesars Star, Invictus, Nadia and Capriole galloped in a line behind them.

Bling entered the straight but didn’t show any zest thereafter. Monet seized the moment to surge ahead and Zervan had still not switched him on. He rode on the cruise mode until well into the straight. Caesars Star was the closest behind and tried his best to pose a challenge. He made no headway with regard to Monet. Invictus too made an attempt to make a race of it but to no avail. Nadia started to look competent approaching the distance post. She was covering ground briskly and looked the one who could topple the leader. Zervan got busy atop Monet as Nadia drew closer. Trevor was riding out Nadia and having joined Monet was desperate to get past. Monet kept at it and didn’t weaken one bit to hold on stubbornly showing great character and ability to see the trip through.

Zervan was at his brilliant best and deserves as much admiration as Monet for carving out a splendid win, which could have gone either way. Nadia was a gallant runner-up and went down fighting all the way. The margin of victory was too short and Nadia in no way can be termed a loser! Caesars Star hung around to end was not too far away when he nosed past the winning post. The rest were not anywhere close.

Monet was the first of three on the trot that Zervan scored in the afternoon. In the very next had race, Zervan astride the winless Roswald (Placerville – Avec Plaisir) to a runaway victory over the mile and quarter trip. He didn’t take too many strides to hit the front at the start and from then on, kept getting stronger all the way home.

Roswald dictated his own steady pace with Winning Destiny and Dancing Splendour in tow. Roswald entered the straight and was quick to up the momentum. He strode out majestically with long rhythmic strides and Zervan this time had not much to do. He guided the Shroff trainee and Roswald did the rest. Winning Destiny ran on but was falling back and away from Roswald. Roswald romped home to bring in his maiden victory in a very fashionable manner.  Starring once again made a late appearance to pick up place money, which is what he has done more often than not.

Amelia (Multidimensional – Adamile) was most impressive on debut and she completely overwhelmed her rivals to score a classy victory in an awesome manner. Remember Me brought the field into the straight with Colourful Prince close behind, but once Amelia started to accelerate without any cajoling from Zervan. She picked up fiery momentum and sailed past Remember Me to pile up a huge lead in the final furlong. In her very first run Amelia showed tremendous potential and she certainly is a filly with a future.

Zervan’s first of the four winners came in the second race touted the Manyatta Vs Storm Tracker race. This was the safest Jodi of the season I reckon and both horses were backed with conviction. Storm Tracker shot into the lead and entered the straight with Manyatta less than two lengths away. Once they straightened for the final run, Storm Tracker rocketed ahead leaving Manyatta gasping behind. Manyatta simply did not raise a gallop and Storm Tracker was soon out of bounds. Zervan, obviously keeping an eye on Manyatta kept Storm Tracker on a tight rein a long way into the homestretch and didn’t need to apply any pressure on Pesi Shroff trained Storm Tracker who looked the winner long way from home.

Faisal Abbas trained Ishpingo (Major Impact – Speed of Light) put in a sustained bid in the latter half of the straight to score a convincing victory and claim the Class I Mulraj Goculdas Trophy in style. Star Trainer led them all the way into the straight. Neona was slowly off and from there on although she improved to third soon, never raised any hope for her large number of backers.

Star Trainer led them into the straight with a handy lead and was kicking on. Weizhou was up next with Neona and Ishpingo improving on the outside. Star Trainer held on to the lead until into the final furlong which is when Ishpingo began to unleash a powerful run. Ishpingo darted into the lead with around 100 to go and scored a facile victory. Star Trainer did well to end second. Scarlet Pimpernel came from behind to pip Neona for the third spot. Neona disappointed big time.

Faisal Abbas had earlier saddled a winner in the first race with Valorosky (Mr Mellon – Zarzuela). Jockey R Rupesh kept Valorosky in the second spot behind Hot As Ice and pounced on the leader soon on turning for home. Arabian Lord took his time to break free from the rails and by the time he got a clear run, Valorosky had shot away. Arabian fought for the second spot with Money Strike and managed to end a face saving second.

Trainer SK Sunderji’s Desert Wings (Ace – Desert Lightning) scored a debut victory warding off a late challenge from Granghorr and favourite Amistad. Sitting second behind leader Grand Duke, Desert Wings took charge around 250 meters from home and shot ahead to establish a handy lead. Ganghorr started to bridge the gap but did not have enough ground to make it. Amistad warmed up far too late and was finishing on well but there was no way he could hope to pull it off as by then, Desert Wings had flown past the winning post.

Sunderji scored again in the last race with Augustus (Warrshan – Southern Star) despite the odds showing an upward drift and a rather slow start. Matilda was up in front and led the field into the straight. Apocalypse came in with a good run with Augustus beginning to charge in from the outside. Arctic Minstrel was taking time in warming up when Augustus quickened at the right time. Apocalypse galloped with a lot of steam and stormed ahead to run away from the rest. Arctic Minstrel covered a lot of ground and did well to beat Apocalypse close home for the runner up berth.

Unknown Rebel (Case Law – Jaipur Jewel) produced an electrifying burst to win a closely contested race in the dying moments. Aliyana had led well into the straight and Foxtrot took charge with less than 300 to go. Unknown Rebel made his move from the middle. This Ones For You got tightened for room and was hopelessly poised until he switched lanes. In the Limelight was trying hard but was clearly short of a run.  Foxtrot and Unknown Rebel went all out with This Ones For You coming up to finish well. The scramble for the winning post was hard and fast. Unknown Rebel timed his finish to perfection and got the nod right beating Foxtrot in a thriller. This Ones For You was distinctly unlucky as he ended a good third after losing precious seconds getting out of Aliyana’s way and finding a free passage. In the Limelight was right in the thick of things, but failed to convert.

For the professionals, jockey S Zervan clearly showed out the best with four winners while teaming up with Shroff for three of them. Trainers SK Sunderji and Faisal Abbas saddled a double each.