It was another money spinning day for followers of favourite as fancied horses ensured they ran to form in almost all the races on the second day of the Mumbai season. Ancient Odyessy was perhaps the only winner on the day who may have been neglected in the betting, however, he too did attract stray bets.

Mint Approach (Ace – Endorsement) kept her record clean on the Mahalaxmi track scoring her third win from three starts on the turf. She put her Pune campaign behind her showing marked improvement over her erratic Pune form. She came into her own to clinch the Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy Trophy in a thrilling finish.

Sumo got off to steady start and soon worked up a comfortable lead. Running Sun was second, about 5 lengths behind with Mint Approach in third. Aigaion and The Ministerian matched strides next with Charlotte Ray racing in the rear.

Sumo led them into the straight, but soon Mint Approach surged forward to take charge. Running Sun was fading away while The Ministerian was struggling to catch up. Aigaion too was hard at work and Neeraj was trying to get him to respond. Sandesh seemed well ahead with a furlong to go and just when one thought Mint Approach would have it easy, Aigaion raged a serious challenge. With fifty to go, Mint Approach’s lead looked far from safe as Aigaion was covering the deficit briskly. Mint Approach just about managed to hold on by the proverbial whisker as the winning post arrived just in time for Mint Approach. Aigaion put in a spirited challenge and had he been a stride quicker in his bid, he could have managed to carve out a win. The Ministerian only managed to get past Sumo.

Dancing Prances (Ace – Dancing Greens) also picked up from where he had left off last season. The unforgettable Dancing Prances Vs Amelia contest still rings in the memory. The Altaf Hussain trainee had an ordinary outing in Pune and later had suffered a setback. He was back to his galloping best and won his contest without any fuss.

Brindaban wrested the early initiative from Dancing Prances who didn’t seem to mind Brindaban going ahead early on. Titleist tagged alongside the two with Mykonos following close behind, Indian Touch was a further couple of lengths away.

Brindaban, who had beaten Dancing Prances on their debut, could not hold off Dancing Prances’ progress and meekly surrendered the lead. Mykonos was making her right alongside when Dancing Prances was getting past Brindaban. However, Mykonos could do little as Dancing Prances drew away to notch up a facile victory without dropping sweat. Dancing Prances towered over the rest to score an authoritative victory leaving the rest to pick up the minor placing. While Mykonos managed to take the runner-up berth, Indian Touch improved to beat Brindaban or the third.

Mauna Kea (Sakhee – Deraasaat) justified the favouritism to score a clinical victory without causing any anxiety to her supporters. The only heartbeats, if any, was Sandesh positioning her in the second last position until into the straight.

Zoom Zoom had led the field all along with Jen’s Glory in second. Summer Eclipse who was the other well-backed horse in the fray shared the third spot with Dancing Splendour. Sandesh kept Mauna Kea behind this pair.

As they straightened for home, Zoom Zoom carried on his good work and stayed put in the lead. Jen’s Glory faded out. Summer Eclipse and Dancing Splendour were beginning to make their bids. Mauna Kea was right behind this pair and for a moment Sandesh appeared to be taking his time in deciding the course to take. He opted to go between horses rather than wasting time and ground to take the clearer outside route. He would have won either way.

Mauna Kea poked through to catch up with Zoom Zoom a furlong from home and with a sweetly timed run, moved ahead fluently to score a facile victory. If judiciously placed, Mauna Kea can thrill again. Zoom Zoom was a heartening runner up. Over a shorter sprint, he ought to be in the reckoning.

Reckless (Declaration of War – Gaslight) was the shortest priced runner on the day and she galloped to her maiden success majestically. The race was reduced to just two – Reckless and Arch Duchess – after they turned for home and in the early half of the straight. In the final furlong, Reckless drew away from Arch Duchess putting an end to any speculation or suspense. Reckless won with a fair measure of comfort and should improve to score again. Arch Duchess needs to pull up her game as she is consistently playing second fiddle repeatedly. 

Trisara (Verglas – Tapioca) pulled off a sensational victory coming from a long way back to shock hot favourite Quick Fire in the final few strides. Quick Fire shot out the gates to dart into the lead. Colourful Prince fired up to join the leader and the pair was well clear of the rest until into the straight.

Quick Fire shook off Colourful Prince soon on turning for home and sped further ahead.  At one stage Quick Fire looked well in command, on course to a second successive win, as there was not much more to travel in the race. Alecto took the turn slightly wide and was beginning to cover the deficit. Trisara seemed in chase of an improbable victory with less than a furlong to go. The Zervan ridden filly gathered fierce momentum in the last 100 meters and finished with a flourish to collar Quick Fire meters away from the winning post. Alecto ran on to finishing close behind the runner up. Gangnam Style improved late to beat Colourful Prince to the frame. 

Silsila (Sedgefield – Divine Honey) finally scored a victory after her debut success eight runs ago. This time it was a cool start to finish affair and she looked well keyed to the task in the paddock. She took off from the gates and never looked back. She got a good momentum going and led by a long margin for a five furlong sprint right from the start. She kicked on and stayed well ahead all through even increasing the margin of victory in the final furlong. Strategy and Small Treasure watched on haplessly as Silsila throttled her way to an impressive win. Strategy took the runner up berth while Small Treasure faded away rapidly letting Sun Hot and Arabian Glory occupies the slots in the judge’s frame.

Ancient Odyessy (Ontario – Favorite Ending) put up a gritty show deny hard ridden Vaile Rouge a victory. Going for it from the word go, Ancient Odyessy held the upper hand right through the race. He entered the homestretch with a slender lead and had his work cut out as Prince Arius, Brave Fighter and Vaile Rouge were all too close for comfort. Prince Arius bowed out soon after and Brave Fighter didn’t find enough to quicken either. Vaile Rouge was the one to raise hopes as he inched closer with every stride. The duo battled it out in the final furlong and Neeraj Rawal astride Ancient Odyessy deserves credit for keeping his mount going all through and ward off serious challenge. Vaile Rouge was gallant in defeat. He went down fighting and did commendably well to stretch the winner to the maximum.

For the professionals, jockey A Sandesh once again performed brilliantly scoring a fine treble, reigning over the track from the second to fourth races getting a hat-trick in the process.