The concluding day of the Mumbai Season 2012-13 got a boost with the arrival of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Honourable Shri Prithviraj Chavan, who landed at the RWITC’s helipad. The last race of the season was delayed by a few minutes to enable the CM to witness the race and also do the presentation honours.

The Chief Minister was received by Mr KN Dhunjibhoy, Chairman of the RWITC along with the popular owner and the government nominee to the committee, Mr Vijay Shirke. Mr Dhunjibhoy welcomed the CM to the racecourse and thanked him for taking time out of his busy schedule. The Chairman then presented a cheque of Rs 51 Lakhs towards the Chief Minister’s drought relief fund on behalf of the RWITC. The Chief Minister accepted the donation and thanked the RWITC for the same as also for having invited him to the racecourse for the Chief Minister’s Gold Cup.

National Glory (Glory of Dancer – Painted Faces) won the race in a clinical fashion, denying the CM the taste of a thrilling, close finish that makes racing so enthralling. The Narendra Lagad trained gelding took off briskly from the gates and led the field from the start. Top fancies Jimbo and Augustus were a tad slow and lost ground early in the race.  

National Glory sailed clear once they turned for home and none could catch up. National Glory won handsomely sparing close to three lengths to Emerald Valley giving the top two positions to Narendra Lagad, the latter edging out Saints N Sinners and Emerging Star for the runner up berth.

The star of the day certainly was jockey S Zervan. He thwarted the threat to his throne by lining up a streak of four solid victories to seal the jockey championship. He started off with a decisive win atop Dreamliner (Diffident – Dreaming) without encountering any resistance. He jumped off and darted into the lead with Bethlehem in chase. Zervan consolidated his command on entering the homestretch as Dreamliner started to gallop on top gear to run away from the field.  Speed Baby improved a bit to beat Bethlehem for the runner up berth.     

Awesome Smile (China Visit – Subsonic) provided Zervan with his second winner of the day. Zervan had to ride a judicious race here as Purple Mokara and Matrioshka were strongly fancied ahead of Awesome Smile. Zervan settled Awesome Smile in the mid bunch within striking distance as Double Diamond set the tone with Sleuth and Mountain Queen close behind.  Awesome Smile made his bid soon on turning for home with Purple Mokara too lurking close alongside. Awesome Smile was the first on the draw and shot ahead approaching the distance post. Purple Mokara stuck on his haunches to launch her attack. Matrioshka succumbed to a tardy start and had too much to do in the straight. Awesome Smile picked up momentum and galloped on successfully keeping Purple Mokara at bay, while pulling off a narrow victory. Matrioshka ran on to finish third, without troubling the top two.

Protector of Paris (Noverre – La Cienega) showed marked improvement over his last run to score a fashionable win, giving Zervan his third win of the day. This one was as easy as it was authoritative and Zervan had only to guide Protector of Paris through the rails to clinch the issue long way from home.

Rajasthan Glory brought the field homeward and had Protector of Paris slipping in through the narrow opening he found on the inner rails. Once he squeezed past Rajasthan Glory, Zervan only had to nurse the Shroff trained gelding who galloped resolutely on his own. Protector of Paris soon sped away to post his maiden victory outpacing and outclassing his opponents with awesome ease. Aravali, the other fancied runner, was prominent until the turn after which she faded away. Pretty Hot and Archimedes had good educative run respectively and it would pay to follow them Pune.

Zervan was at his best astride Shygirl (Mr Mellon – Hygirl) and earned her maiden success thanks to Zervan. Zaagros led the field home and had a handy lead too. Cosmic Dancer was the first to challenge the leader and soon galloped past to grab the lead. Shygirl, who was third behind this pair moved forward making good headway. Gitano was also warming up midway in the straight. They looked set for a close finish as Shygirl started to gain on the determined Cosmic Dancer. Both fought hard all through the final furlong and in the last couple of strides, Shygirl just managed to peg back Cosmic Dancer. Gitano landed on the haunches of the duo, clearly finding the distance a bit sharp.

Jockey A Sandesh was a game challenger for the jockey’s title and had given Zervan anxious moments. He too had his moments when he scored twice. His first victory came atop long shot Jen’s Secret (Royal Gladiator – Edelweiss). Sandesh kept Jen’s Secret way behind the front bunch and when he made his move in the straight, he left a scorching trail picking up awesome speed in the last 300 meters.

Tote favourtie Star Builder was up in front with 400 to go when Strike Again made a decisive forward surge. Strike Again easily went past Star Builder who was beaten early in the straight. At 200, Strike Again may have fancied his chances to pull it off, however, on shifting the focus on Jen’s Glory, the Altaf Hussain trainee had just begun her final assault. Jen’s Glory devoured ground with amazing strides and in no time flashed past Strike Again. Sandesh tore away and coasted to a very impressive victory.

Sandesh later partnered Mint Approach (Ace – Endorsement) to a fine victory, her second after the dead-heat with Isadoro four weeks back. Mint Approach foxed the two main contenders – Archie and Alaindair as she took charge early in the straight getting past Intesar past the 400. Rekindle and Alaindair started to apply pressure but Sandesh was confidently going hands and heels for the most part. Archie was way too far, probably tracking Alaindiar’s strategy and may have suddenly realized that he had given the crucial headway to Mint Approach. His worst fears came true as he had left a lot to cover on Mint Approach. He made a desperate bid but fell short by just 3/4 length. Alaindair, Rekindle and Golden Princess all finished in a cluster.

Fairy Empress (Hymn – Skipperess) looked fit for the fray in the paddock and ran true to her paddock condition to score a convincing victory. Waiting in fourth behind Blue Casper, Run Like The Wind and Stella, Fairy Empress made her move to sail into the lead soon on turning for home. She galloped resolutely with DK Ashish in the saddle and got into a superb rhythm finding her best form to date. Once she hit the front, she left nothing to chance and coasted to a very impressive victory. Run Like The Wind ran on and did well to hold on to the runner up slot from Money Strike and Stella.

Victorious Cause (Cool Creek – Primal Cause) won the opening race of the day warding off a late bid from Trump Card. The Ivor Fernandes trainee was up in front as they turned the corner with Starsonboard on her heels. She darted further away and past the distance post had a handy lead. Starsonboard and Allegiance tried hard to catch up but were not successful. Trump Card came from some distance away to make a serious bid, but had too much to cover. He was gaining on Victorious Cause no doubt, but never looked like getting past with the winning post fast approaching.

Between races, the Chairman of the RWITC, Mr Dhunjibhoy honoured the Season’s Champions with trophies. The winners’ final tally read as follows:

Champion Owner – Dr MAM Ramaswamy

Champion Syndicate – The Illuminati Racing Syndicate

The Dady Adenwalla Champion Trainer – Pesi Shroff

Champion Jockey – S Zervan

Champion Jockey Claiming Allowance – Kavraj Singh

Champion Apprentice Jockey – Prabhu Naidu

Leading Bookmaker (Mumbai) – Banarasi Das

Leading Bookmaker (Pune) – Latif Associates

Leading Stud Farm – Poonawalla Stud Farm