Pesi Shroff trained Bullseye (Kheleyf – La Cienega) owned by M/s Vijay Shirke, KN Dhunjibhoy and Berjis Minoo Desai, put her Sprinters’ Cup loss behind her and dished out a stunning performance to donkey lick illustrious opponents like Amadeus and Star Trainer to win the RM Goculdas Gold Cup. Her final burst was awesome as she strode past Star Trainer and Amadeus, both in full flight, showing an amazing turn of foot. 

It was all over within a blink of the eye. Master Bullet brought the field homewards and soon Amadeus and Star Trainer got past him. Bullseye was lurking between them and Zervan was in no tearing hurry, easing Bullseye into a steady build up for the final assault. Star Trainer surged into the lead just past the 400 and Amadeus was fighting hard to stay glued to Star Trainer. Bullseye pounced on the two approaching the distance post and when she got into the act, she simply left the formidable sprinters cold. She went streaking clear and piled up an insurmountable lead in quick time to gallop to her fifth career victory from seven starts. Bullseye’s victory was indisputably the most impressive on the day.

Emperor Of France (Black Cash – Selerina’s Song) pulled off a narrow victory to clinch the Bahrain Trophy in a scintillating finish involving Yellowzone in a photo finish. Emperor of France matched strides with you’re The Boss initially and had Panthera and Yellowzone close behind.

Into the straight, Emperor of France quickened well to get past You’re The Boss, Panthera moved up on the outside, while Yellowzone was stuck for room and got involved in a jostle with You’re The Boss who was considerably affected hitting the inner rails. Jockey DK Ashish then switched his mount to the outside, but Yellowzone started to drift out alarmingly. Emperor of France continued his march ahead unmindful of the happenings behind. He looked safely home with less than 100 to travel, when Yellowzone, in a sudden jerk, came at him at a cracking pace. The winning post couldn’t have come sooner for the Emperor as a stride late and Yellowzone would have got him. Yellowzone was truly unfortunate, as her brilliant final run went in vain. Emperor of France benefitted by the woeful outside drift, else Yellowzone would have turned the fortunes. Panthera ended a faraway third while Wasabi improved to pip Silsila for a place in the frame.

Alaindair (Multidimensional – God’s Grace) won the Karl Umrigar Trophy in style dishing out a solid five lengths plus thrashing to his rivals. He got quickly into the act and sat close behind favourite Insignia with Little Love for company on his outside. Falco Nero dropped back after a good start and settled in fourth. Ace Fantasy was further back as the heads turned for home. Insignia led them in with Alaindair brushing up on the outside. Little Love had little to offer and fell out of contention. Falco Nero stayed in third, while Haunting Moments and Ace Fantasy Alaindair sizzled past Insignia and in the final 100 none could match him. He drew away with a steamy gallop to romp home a clear winner. Falco Nero finished on determinedly pipping Insignia for the second and Haunting Moments edged out Ace Fantasy for a berth in the frame. Alaindair looked the best and showed a lot of promise.

Spirit Of Mercy (Tirol – Cozumel) showed a lot of spirit while winning the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy in a well-fought race involving favourite Sumo. Spirit of Mercy, ridden by P Trevor, darted into the lead right at the start and dictated the pace all through. Mighty Crusader was striding close behind the leader with Sumo on the rails, Okavango and Invictus tailing the field.

On straightening up, Spirit Of Mercy quickened well and worked up a handy lead as he stepped up momentum after turning for home.  The two length lead that he had mustered, held him in good stead as Sumo came charging at him in the final 100 meters. Sumo started gaining with every stride and Spirit of Mercy had to keep going and couldn’t afford to slacken even a wee bit. Trevor ensured that he didn’t and held on by the thinnest of margins. Sumo galloped gallantly in the final few strides and had been closer to Spirit of Mercy early on and not allowed him to luxury of a handy lead, the story may have been different. Spirit of Mercy nevertheless, ran a terrific race and deserved to win.

Festival Night (Serious Spender – Star Festival) ridden by TS Jodha celebrated her return to her pet distance with a resounding victory. She started off well but fell back soon to trail in fourth position as Rein In Spain led the bunch with Sariska and Fireheart tagging along. This trio turned for home alongside one another when suddenly Fireheart broke down. Rein In Spain continued to fight on with Sariska and as the dup battled on, Festival Night came into the picture with an inspiring run. Once she got close to the pair, Festival Night found more speed to surge past and post a comfortable victory. Sariska yet again flattered to deceive and ended a poor fourth. Rein In Spain held on to the second spot, while Three Roses came from behind to earn place money.

Dreams R Mine (Hurricane State – Just Amazing) blew all sane calculations on past performances and sprung to life to dish out his maiden victory and with money coming on him from the right connections. Plan B had accumulated a sizable lead in the straight which came to a naught when Dreams R Mine produced his best to come from a long way back to scorch the turf in the last 150 meters or so. Titleist, tried hard to make a race of it, but he too had no answer to Dreams R Mine’s solid throttle. Favorite Mountain Wind made little impact but improved towards the finish to end a tame third.

Sound Of River (Glory Of Gold – Contrarian) scored a resounding victory completely outpacing his rivals over the mile trip. He took charge early in the straight and got past early leader Amora with ease. Favourite Only White was the widest one of all and he too struggled to match the brilliance of Sound of River. Fairy Empress went all out but failed to make any progress. Sound of River galloped on gamely to win with authority finishing well ahead of Amora. Only White ran a tame third while Fairy Empress managed to hit the board.  

Savage Garden (Inhabitant – Rose Garden) rose to the occasion and shocked his opponents and the followers of form alike to return victorious and defied the odds of 40 to 1 offered on him. He was well up right from the start tailing leader Winning Destiny and raced with a lot of zest over the mile and quarter trip. He went into the lead just past the 400 and piled up a handy lead going at a good clip. He showed no signs of tiring and kicked on gamely to deny any hope to Razeenaa who was toiling haplessly all the way. Savage Garden had shown no recent form, after his victory in December and he surely floored the punters. Razeenaa was the unlucky one to have caught a tartar in Savage Garden. Winning Destiny, who led from the start ended in the money. 

Arctic Minstrel (Mambo Minstrel – Cymbidium) clinched the last race of the day with a perfectly timed run, with jockey P Trevor giving it his all. King Julian found his rhythm and shot into the lead soon on start and worked up a crisp pace. He led comfortably with Gararo in chase. Masterofthesky and Zakynthos were up next followed closely by This Ones For You and Soneeyo, Arctic Minstrel and Gloria were lagging way behind the leader.

King Julian stepped on it and looked on a mission. He increased his lead considerably and was well clear past the 400 m mark. Arctic Minstrel started to devour ground after taking the turn wide and was looking a potent force despite King Julian’s near four-length lead. Trevor was vigorous in his pushing and got Arctic Minstrel to respond to his call. Arctic Minstrel galloped powerfully to get past King Julian in the final furlong, but could not breathe easy once he had taken charge. He faced a two pronged threat looming as both Soneeyo and Gloria were coming at him at break neck speed. Arctic Minstrel just held on narrowly to thrill his large number of supporters. Soneeyo claimed the runner up berth nosing out a splendid bid that came from Gloria. King Julian ran another half length away to announce his form. Over a shorter distance, King Julian looks ready.

 For the professionals, trainers SS Shah and Narendra Lagad saddled a double each, while P Trevor was the lone jockey to score a double.