Hot favourite Silver Arrow was bang on target, achieving his fourth successive victory and opening his Mumbai campaign in a stylish manner. He began on his usual sedate note settling behind Master Shifu and Manyatta, with only Invictus behind him.

Master Shifu flattered to deceive as he looked comfortable even as they straightened for home. Zervan’s prolonged ‘sitting’ with his mount until well into the straight, gave an impression that Master Shifu had something more to offer and would accelerate further away. That was not to be and Manyatta got the better of Master Shifu and grabbed the runner up slot with ease. Invictus was never in contention and was far away from the action.

It was Silver Arrow (Verglas – Isotta) all the way. He settled beautifully and hung in there until into the homestretch. When jockey P Trevor gave him the go, Silver Arrow shot ahead with giant strides to draw away effortlessly scoring a dazzling victory. He had a lot left in the tank as he was not extended at all. Yet he clocked his personal best timing for the mile – an impressive 1:36:82. This win puts him right up with the classy lot and he has signalled his presence for the forthcoming 2000 Guineas making the classic even more open with some tough aspirants showing up well on the track.

“Yes I am pleased with Silver Arrow’s performance. He surely is talented and I am looking forward to his tougher assignments ahead, when he takes on the classic crop. So far he has been shaping up satisfactorily. He has improved with each run and I am not looking to far ahead. The Guineas is his next target and that is the focus for us now. As for his current run, I can say it was on expected lines,” said trainer Pesi Shroff.

Silver Arrow surely is one of the serious contenders for the Classics. He is strongly built and shown a fine blend of speed and stamina. He has been very comfortable over the mile so far, (his last three wins have been over the mile) how and it would be interesting to see how he matures and takes to longer trips, especially the Derby distance.

Victorious March (Diffident – Roman Eagle) was given a perfect ride by young five-kilo claimer Nikhil Bhujbal. They jumped out well and settled early behind the speedy Rio until into the straight. Pitbull and Dreamliner too were in close vicinity of the front –runners, but only until they straightened up. There on, it was the top two favourites who drew away from the rest.

Rio seemed to be doing everything right. He led from the jump and went at a b risk pace, his strength. However, once they got going for the full Monty, Victorious March had no trouble in getting past Rio and notch up a long pending victory. The two prime fancies were clearly superior to the rest and even the speedy Pitbull lagged 2 1/2 lengths away. The timing was impressive too, Victorious March stopping the clock at 58: 96.

Ghazal King (Sedgefield – Bright And Cherry) scored the day’s most facile victory, running away by six lengths beating Amistad and Negotiator with awesome ease. 

Mountain Force and Hay Day were up in front all the way until the turn. Negotiator and Amistad made their run side by side, with Ghazal King and Cypress Point keeping each other company at the tail end.

Amistad and Negotiator got involved in a rough jostle which prompted jockey Sandesh astride Negotiator to lodge an objection against Zervan atop Amistad. After prolonged deliberations the objection was overruled.

That aggression at the entrance to the homestretch proved futile as Ghazal King rose from the ranks to come up with a sizzling gallop and leave the field cold. Ghazal King arrived full of steam and the race was over even he passed them all with two full furlongs still to go. Ghazal King dominated the straight and emerged alone across the grand stands to seal victory long before the wire.

Wentworth (Multidimensional – Star Supremacy) showed neither rustiness nor mercy as he clobbered the opposition as if he had always been on the race track. The fact that he had given Pune a complete miss and was racing after a layoff of nearly 30 weeks, made his victory even more praiseworthy. Trainer Bezan Chenoy had tuned him to perfection and Wentworth was in the groove right from the start. He settled well behind leaders Waves of Magic and Arta. Once into the straight, Arta surged ahead to take charge. Wentworth let Arta do the pretending and set about her chase midway in the straight. The bay colt devoured ground impressively and in split seconds drew away from the rest to compile a convincing maiden victory, in her third start.

Monteray progressed to get to one behind the winner, but Fabulous Florence rose from the rear to finish well and snatch the runner up berth from Monteray. Giant Luck made his move from the outside to end in the frame. Wentworth justified the short odds and looks good for an encore.

Mzuri (Placerville – Tammie’s Tune) produced a powerful finishing effort to score her maiden victory in her sixth start. Jockey CS Jodha had to work his way throughout to bring out the best out of the Imtiaz trained filly.  Showers of Heaven led them in and was kicking on grittily on straightening up. Windmill Lady was within striking distance, but just could not quicken well enough. Amaya moved up closer to the front to make a bid, which is when Mzuri arrived, hard ridden by CS Jodha to take them all on. Mzuri surged ahead past the distance post and galloped on to strike it rich. 

Splendid Light deserves a mention as she literally flew in the last part to beat the rest coming from behind. She seems to have come to hand and if her next is over a mile, it might be well worth keeping tabs on her.

Step Up (Jeremy – Mix Me Up) produced a commendable finish and snatched the honours in the last race from the consistent sprinter Celsius. Edwina suffered early in the race as she got blocked for galloping room with a furlong from the gates. Celsius darted to the front to lead them all into the straight. He galloped on even as Windmill Lady threatened to surge forward an Incentio coming on with a serious challenge. Celsius was successful in thwarting this double assault, but when Step Up arrived, it was all over.

Step up kept improving positions right from start and was perched in the fourth spot, on the outside and away from traffic trouble. She made her final bid storming to the front with a furlong to go and managed to draw away from Celsius with encountering any resistance. For Step up, this was her fourth career win, but a first over the six furlong scurry.

Arzaan (San Francisco – Flamenco) pulled off a neat start to finish victory showing zest and renewed vigour. Trainer Subhag Singh’s effort on the seven year old proved rewarding as Arzaan darted into the lead and kept a strong stranglehold right through the race. He stayed well ahead in the straight as well and all the hard work of Osric and Ice beauty proved futile. Arzaan won with authority and if placed in a similar weak set, can strike again.