The leading professionals’ titles look firmly settled even with another month of racing still to go. Pesi Shroff (37 winners) and his stable jockey S Zervan (52) have taken a sizable lead and with Dallas Todywalla (27) and Sandesh (38), the ones in chase, have a lot of catching up to do.  Shroff and Zervan took a leap on Thursday combining well as they always have to score a treble.

The pair started off with Amistad (Glory of Dancer – Dynasty) in the day’s second race. This time Amistad had a change in his scheme of things and was sent on a start to finish mission. That paid off as Amistad galloped on at his own leisure and swung into the straight with a lot left in the saddle. Phelps, who was chasing him right from the start, tried his best, but simple could not make any impact on Amistad. In the final furlong, Grand Duke improved under some hard riding, yet never looked like getting past Amistad. Zervan was completely in control all the way and won without undue effort. Amistad had learnt from his previous outings and had matured enough to earn his maiden victory, making ample amends for his last start failure.

Winston (Glory of Dancer – Social Place) caused a wee bit of commotion in marching on to his second victory this season after playing next best on couple of prior occasions. Hot favourite Myla Rose was in charge coming into the straight and soon Winston was on hot pursuit. He joined Myla Rose with 400 to go and battled it out right to the winning post.

Once the battle began, Winston always looked imposing on the favourite, but one must give it to Myla Rose that she fought hard. Winston loomed large on the outside as Myla Rose was giving it all to keep her lead. Zervan sort of bullied his rival and took charge approaching the winning post. Myla Rose stayed in contention until the final fifty and then on Winston surged ahead to win a sharp race. Winston came in slightly and it appeared that Myla Rose was getting squeezed for room, which is why jockey S Sunil lodged an objection. It did appear that Sunil had to check Myla Rose but by then, Winston had a lot more fire power and moved away. The objection was overruled as Winston always seemed to have the upper hand and was the one moving better and both, the stipes and the Stewards felt that there was no way Myla Rose would have beaten Winston had that check not occurred. Winston’s victory indeed was most convincing.

Shroff and Zervan then rounded a good day with Montezuma (Placerville – Amazing Princess) also giving it all right from the word go. Montezuma set a friendly pace and led them all into the straight. Capital Attraction was a close last at the turn. Once into the straight, Montezuma kicked on and quickened well. None of his opponents could match strides and he was marching on towards the winning post. Capital Attraction, meanwhile, got behind horses and took a while to switch out from behind the bunch. He made a valiant attempt but the effort was too little too late. Montezuma, by then, had sealed the issue.  Had jockey Imran Chisty not got behind horses and had taken the safer route at the right juncture, Montezuma may have had a fight on his hands. Capital Attraction ran on to finish a good second.

Remember Me (Ikhtyar – Enaksi) stamped his mark of maiden victory putting in a determined performance. He led soon on start and kept the momentum going all the way through. He had Gangnam Style and Rajsamman close behind, but Remember Me was galloping ahead at a good pace. Neither could get close. In the final 150 meters, Zaagros warmed up and covered a lot of ground only to fall short only by a neck. Rajsamman, who was backed heavily at race time did not justify the faith and may have needed this run.  

Trainer Hormuz Antia sent out a terrific double with two outsiders striking it rich. Mountain Mynah (Ontario – Analonarose) picked up speed in the final furlong and carted the opposition in style.

Afrojack and Matilda took off at a brisk pace with Martinique and Mountain Song close behind. Edwina had a rough passage early on and took her time settling down. Into the straight, Afrojack and Matilda led for a while before Mountain Mynah stepped on it and worked up a tremendous gallop to run away with the race in style. Edwina was in no position to make a race of it and tried to find room along the inner rails. Edwina simply could not run to potential and this run may best be ignored. She ought to be given another chance. Afrojack ran to end runner up. Shabdeez is the one who made his run widest and covered a lot of ground to finish an eye-catching third.

Mountain Warrior (Senure – Lone Star) won Antia the third race a six-furlong sprint. Mountain Warrior moved up from the fifth position at the turn and had to fire on all cylinders to get past Arabian Chief who too was making an all out bid. Arabian Chief, in fact was the one to lean them homewards. Amazing Smile was the first to challenge the leader but was not getting anywhere. Laurus Tikati too was making a forward surge and he too found it hard to reach Arabian Chief. Mountain Warrior started to eat up ground at a good clip and he collard Arabian Chief in the final 100 meters to win by 3/4 lengths. Money Strike was slowly off and was at the tail end of the field all the way until the turn. She made steady progress to end a good fourth under the circumstances.

Victoire (Major Impact – Victory March) won on technical ground a race that he lost by a whisker initially on the track. Belle Brise took over the running early from Be Positive and the duo led the field into the straight. Belle Brise was vigorously ridden by Ashhad Asbar and he was darting towards the winning post having shaken off Be Positive easily. Awesome Smile and Victoire stated to close in on Belle Brise past the distance post. Victoire got more aggressive in the last 100 meters to match stride for stride with Belle Brise.  As they dashed towards the winning post, Belle Brise shifted out and took Victoire in the process. This happened more than once as Belle Brise was drifting out under pressure. At the wire, Belle Brise got the nod right, but at the behest of the stipendiary stewards, a stewards’ enquiry was called for. After deliberations, the stewards decided to reverse the verdict and award the race to Victoire, mainly keeping in mind that the verdict was only a short-head. Belle Brise’s drift surely had taken some ground off Victoire and that’s what convinced the stewards that Victoire would have won had he not been forced to shift out due to Belle Brise’s drift.

Crrisp (Warrshan – Secret Miracle) won the last race of the day in a thrilling finish with a pack of horses chasing him. Arabian Lord led a closely knit bunch and the lead was changing quickly in the straight. Arabian Lord was challenged by Riding on the Storm and Purple Moon too joined them. As the trio was fighting on, Crrisp made his appearance with a scintillating run. Crrisp made a decisive surge forward and had a good momentum going. He dashed past the others and surged away to land the spoils. Riding on the Storm tried hard but could not hold Crrisp. Twittillator ran from a long way back to end a good third. Zeki too made good improvement to do well to figure in the frame.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a popular treble and was partnered by S Zervan on all three. Trainer Hormuz Antia too recorded a lucrative double.