The October Handicap had a huge line-up and trainer Noshir Cama’s ward Beforememoryfades (Lawman – Gold Bar) had garnered solid support in the betting ring. The bay filly owned by M/s Shyam and Amay Ruia obliged in an emphatic fashion as jockey Neeraj Rawal rode with purpose and aggression to score an authoritative victory without undue fuss, and thrill her supporters.

It was a cavalry charge as the gates flung open and it was You’re The Boss who was quick to lead the large field. Taking advantage of the inner most draw, Neeraj Rawal had Beforememoryfades close behind the leader with Reckless, the other well-backed runner, galloping alongside the favourite, with Silsila tucked-in between them. The pace was crisp and the action gripping as they stared to curve around the turn.

You’re The Boss led them in and the ones close behind him were snapping at his tail. Beforememoryfades and Reckless made their forward surge at the same juncture. Reckless was a trifle green shifting in slightly. Neeraj could have been pocketed had he not anticipated the move. He forced his way between You’re The Boss and Reckless in the nick of time and there sure was a rough jostle out there. Once he got the passage, Beforememoryfades sliced through and accelerated commendably to draw away and leave her opponents fading out of contention and ensure a memorable maiden victory in only her second career outing. She has shown remarkable talent and temperament and Beforememoryfades certainly has bigger things in store. As for Reckless, he ran green and should take this as an educative run. The one to impress after the winner was Affirmation. He finished on fastest and did well to peg back Reckless for the runner-up berth.

Nina Lalvani’s Domingo (Mull of Kintyre – Sonic Symphony) was bullish right from the start and dominated his rivals right through the race. Taking up the running soon on start, Domingo ambled all the way to the home-turn. He had Ace Connection chasing him with Oriental Rocky and the rest further behind.

Domingo got stronger in the straight and jockey Trevor had just to niggle him on for Domingo to respond with a fluent stretch-run. Domingo cruised away to notch up a facile victory outpacing his rivals completely. This was as dominant a victory as one could expect. While Ace Connection ended a tame second, Highlander moved up along the inner rails to earn place money. Last start impressive winner Oriental Rocky could not raise the bar and ended to fill the frame. Domingo scored an effortless win and an encore is not beyond him.

Dallas Todywalla upped his stock sending out three winners from his stables. Antonius Maximus (Mull of Kintyre – Brave Star) carried a large amount of public money and he expectedly galloped to his third successive victory in the most convincing manner. He dictated the pace right from the start and only got better in the homestretch. He entered the straight with Kaizer and Honest Pleasure close behind but once he turned on the heat, he did not encounter any challenge. He stretched away powerfully to his third victory in five weeks over the ‘Derby trip’. Bonobo was ridden hard to earn his position behind the winner as he beat Kaizer and Honest Pleasure in a three-way finish for the minor placing. 

Negotiator (Steinbeck - Romantic Liaison) ridden by A Sandesh scored an impressive victory to earn his maiden success. Sandesh was quick to settle negotiator behind leader Magic Vision. Arta was up next along with Scalanaya. Forest Vision and Gallant Lad were kept down the field.

Negotiator took charge as he surged ahead soon on turning for home. He sailed smoothly into the lead and worked up a steady gallop. Arta soon moved to second with Forest Vision also improving places. However, neither could match the brilliance of Negotiator. The Dallas trainee won easily without encountering any resistance. Arta managed to hold on to the second spot nosing out Forest Vision. Arta ought to improve after this run and may not take too long to log her maiden win.

Dallas’ third success came with Windmill Lady (Ace – Shalaya). The Sandeep Jadhav ridden filly was a rank outsider, quoted at 20/1. Dark Knight entered the straight with Blind Date and Ice Skater on his heels. Burgundy Rose started to accelerate approaching the distance post and easily went past the trio in front. Windmill Lady then surfaced from the mid-bunch and produced a blistering run to sail past Burgundy Rose and score an astounding victory. Burgundy Rose too looked good in the final furlong, but was completely overwhelmed by the blinding finish from Windmill Lady.

Jockey Srikant Kamble showed lot of mettle in riding out two winners in the day. Hi first partnered Player (Tobougg – Gentle Dame) to not only provide trainer Jayantilal Gor his first success for the season, but also played the part in pulling off a super betting coup. Player was backed down heavily from tens to five to one at race time.

Player dropped to the fourth position after hitting the front at the jump. He let Ice Beauty do the running with Ashwa Yodhaa and Viva Capri running in a tightly packed bunch along with Amaya. Viva Capri gathered momentum to take charge in the straight and was shaping well towards the finish. Amaya was trying hard but making little impression. Ice Beauty was laboring along when Kamble got into action mode with Player. Viva Capri still looked in command in the final furlong. Player then warmed up nicely to bound forward in the last 100 meters to zip past Viva Capri to score comprehensive victory. Trainer Jayantilal Gor was greeted with flowers and pats on the back by the crowd as he led his first winner of the season.

Deep Diver (Glory of Dancer – Inventive) made ample amends after missing out narrowly last time out. Deep Diver settled to follow leader Song of Sparrow, with Edit Piaf and Ice Empire in close attendance. Favourite Mint Approach was way off the pace and the proved to be his undoing.

Deep Diver was in box seat at the turn and took off the moment they straightened for home. Jockey Srikant Kamble helped Deep Diver step up the momentum and the Altamash trained gelding smoothly sailed ahead to work up a handy lead. While Song of Sparrow and Edit Piaf were found wanting, Zidaan moved into the second spot without looking menacing to Deep Diver. Mint Approach warmed up midway in the straight and started to gain on Deep Diver in the final furlong. However, Deep Diver was safely ahead and all Mint Approach managed doing was to cut the margin down to a length. Deep Diver won well and comfortably. Mint Approach indicated that he would require more ground. Zidaan was consistent in figuring in the top three third time in four outings this season.

Yodha Shakti (Sedgefield – Maugisa) was the prime favourite and he obliged with a spirited run to down lesser fancied Cornelian who at one point had threatened to run away with the race. Cornelian took over the runner and at the half way stage sprang ahead to establish a long lead. he entered the straight still well ahead and didn’t look like he would weaken. That left the MP Jodha ward to make the effort of wearing down the outsider. Jockey Kavraj Singh got the favourite to go for it and steadily started to devour ground in the straight. Yodha Shakti soon caught up with the leader and pegged Cornelian back close home to register a ¾ L victory.

The concluding event of the day saw Trump Card (Oath – Angara) triumph over his rivals in a close clustered finish. Windsor Queen led them homewards and was kicking on when  Trump Card moved in purposefully. Not far behind, Zanthos was hard at work and gaining on the front runners. Calypso Queen too was making her presence felt. In the end, trainer Narendra Lagad’s charge Trump Card galloped with determination with jockey Bhanup Pratap Singh lending able support. He galloped on to ward off a fighting trio comprising Zanthos, Calypso Queen and Windsor Queen to ended close to one another.

For the professionals, trainer Dallas Todywalla reaped a rich treble, while jockey Srikanth Kamble scored a double.