Montezuma (Placerville – Amazing Princess) saddled by Shyam Habbu in the absence of Pesi Shroff, posted a facile start to finish victory without encountering any challenge from his three rivals. Dictating his own terms right from the start, Montezuma made every post a winning one. He spurted into the lead soon on jumping out and had Okavango Maseeha and Hurricane Wind towing his line.

On entering the straight, Montezuma rolled on. Okavango and Hurricane Wind tried hard and even got to within a length of Montezuma, but the Trevor ridden gelding never faltered and carried on his good work all the way home. Okavango did well to finish second ahead of Hurricane Wind. Maseeha was not in racing condition and his two year absence from the scene showed clearly that he had a long way to go.

Campeon (Black Cash – Eka) has been knocking on the door for some time now and he finally came good to sign off the season on a winning note. Raptor brought the field homeward and was soon joined by Campeon ridden by Ashhad Asbar. Presence also came close behind to hang in close to Campeon. Ashhad Asbar was still on a tight rein and he confidently ushered Campeon on as Presence began to feel the pressure. In the final furlong, Campeon marched ahead to win convincingly, thwarting a feeble bid by Presence to topple the winner. Campeon drew away and won handsomely.

Ashhad Asbar later partner Polynesia (Razeen – Pearls of Thought) to a fashionable victory in the Racing journalists Trophy. The 10-1 shot raced to the front and kept a iron grip on the race throughout. Oxbridge tried hard to catch the winner, but Polynesia proved too good on the day as she galloped on effortlessly to pull off a sensational victory.  Polynesia surely had a lot left in the saddle as she won with a lot left in the saddle implying that she could easily fare even better over the longer trips. Oxbridge ran on to finish second warding off the late finishing Zambezi in a tight finish for the runner up slot.

Jockey A Sandesh too scored twice in the day. He first won with Myla Rose (Bertolini – Feminine Touch) a lot more easily than expected. Bizarro was taken to give her a run for the money, however, as it turned out, Bizarro was no match to the brilliance of the in-form Myla Rose.

Sandesh had no hesitation in going to the front to lead the three horse field. That was it. He never looked back and once they turned the final turn, Myla Rose stepped up the pace and zipped ahead leaving no chance to Bizarro who ran much below par. Lake Paradise also ran.

Capri (Ace – Yutai) was powerful in his finish and got the measure of a string of horses finishing on in a cluster. Wind Craft was the one who led them into the straight with Blind Date, Stylish Strokes close behind, with Highway Express slipping in through the inner rails. Capri made her bid from the outside. Wind Craft was fighting on to stay in the lead coming into the final furlong. Stylish Strokes and Blind Date were feeling the pressure. Highway Express looked striking too but it was Capri who produced a sizzling last lunge to pull away from Wind Craft and score with a length to spare. Wind Craft held on to the second spot with Highway Express making it to earn place money. Blind Date took the fourth spot.

Jockey C Rajendra made his only appearance on the day a winning one ridding in his vintage style to win in a very close finish atop Hawaiian Princess (Ontario – Hawafiz).  This one was a hard fought victory as Cream of the Crop, another one who made an appearance after 15 month layoff. However, Cream of the Crop was battle ready and smoothly swung into the lead soon on turning for home. Hawaiian Princess was in chase and had to cover some deficit to come up to Cream of the Crop midway in the straight. They then began their long drawn battle as the pair fought out the last 200 meters stride for stride. Cream of the Crop shifted under pressure and did cause Hawaiian Princess to lose a stride or two. Despite this, Rajendra rode out aggressively to pip Cream of the Crop on the post. Quid Pro Quo covered a lot of ground to finish an eye-catching third.

Nigella (China Visit – Supreme Discovery) ridden by Akshay, stormed into the final furlong to stun her rivals with a flowing gallop to win impressively. Viva Zapata had a handy lead coming into the homestretch. Nigella moved into the second and was getting closer to the leader. Favorite Moon Raker was too far back initially and also came into the straight wide. He was in no position to make a race of it and also he did not look his best in the paddock either. He was never in the hunt and packed up early without raising any hope.

Nigella was full of running and caught up with Viva Zapata past he distance post. Once in the lead, Nigella accelerated well to win without encountering any threat. Speeding came from behind to pip Kalinga Star for the second spot. Viva Zapata ended in the frame. Nigella was impressive and scored her second successive victory in style.

Walking Tall (Greensmith – Zeta Jones) one the opening race of the day with a sustained gallop to pass three other horses in the straight and score a delightful victory. Towering High went for it right from the start and led the closely huddled field into the straight.

Once in, Towering High kicked on gamely with Aleutian Zone and Auraria close behind. Walking Tall looked good when he put his best foot forward and he picked up good momentum with 300 to go. Jockey Akshay did not hurry with him and Walking Tall quickened in a trice once he was eased ionto a fine rhythm. He streaked past Towering High in the latter half of the straight and galloped away to score by just over a length. Towering High ran a good second ahead of Auraria and Aleutian Zone. 

 For the professionals, jockeys A Sandesh, Ashhad Asbar and Akshay scored a brace each.