The IGCC Christmasfest attracted a huge crowd that included a large number of junior citizens to the racecourse which was good to see. The IGCC and the RWITC brought together a festive aura which was sheer joy mixed with super action on the race track.

Clinton (Razeen – Vena’s Pet) owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke and Il Zoras Cinque Racing Syndicate ran the race of his life to quell a serious attempt that came from Storm Tracker. The final furlong saw a keen tussle with Clinton and Storm Tracker fighting every inch to the winning post. Winds of Fortune set a true pace for the mile trip. Rajasthan Royals, Winston and Star of Gibraltar were among the front runners. Clinton settled behind them with Hachiko and Yuville close behind. The rest too were in a tight cluster with Commander, Toroloco and Neona bringing up the rear.

Winds of Fortune guided them into the straight and then shot his bolt. The others were closing in and a charged bunch braced for the fight ahead. Clinton leapt strongly to easily get past Winston and Rajasthan Royals. Toroloco was locked between horses and so too was Neona. Storm Tracker found his best and was speeding towards Clinton. Onassis came to the fore with a lot of zip in his heels, but suddenly felt the pressure that made him a wee bit erratic. Toroloco was spent by the time he wove his way between horses and his challenge petered out at the business end.

Veteran trainer Janardhan’s ward Clinton put up a gritty show and refused to cow down to the menacing strides of Storm Tracker. Imran Chisty atop Clinton and Trevor astride Storm Tracker were giving it all as were their charges. Both hit the wire together, the camera verdict went in favour of Clinton. For Mr Shirke, this was his fourth Jiwajirao Trophy triumph with Hachiko, Onassis and Mr Greedy bringing him laurels in the recent past. This traditional race must go down as one of his favourite trophies.   

Commander was the one to have made good progress from the rear to finish one off the frame. Neona too did well to gain in the homestretch despite encountering traffic problems. Toroloco settled well initially and even though he was in the rear, he galloped well and it looked a matter of time for him to surface. However, Clinton had stolen a march, had made his move at precisely the right time, and had enough legs to hold on to his lead by a close margin. Storm Tracker could consider himself trifle unlucky. He would have taken another dead-heat verdict had it been so. Clinton, however, deserved his reward for an absolute brave performance.

Pesi Shroff’s two youngsters did extremely well to win their maiden races in style. The Big Bull, in fact, was making debut only one month before he would turn four, but was well supported in the betting as a 12/10 popular choice.

Ace Of Hearts jumped well and grabbed the lead soon after start as Forest Vision jumped to her left, resulting in a check for Vanguard. Cyclops raced third with The Big Bull keeping an eye on him all the time, followed by Ace Fantasy, Malkia, Vanguard, Penny Lane and Just By Chance. Midway into the homestretch, Cyclops and The Big Bull both vied for command, and appeared headed for a close finish when suddenly Malkia angled in belligerently to momentarily grab the issue raising the suspense. However, Zervan decisively wrested the initiative in the final furlong and spared just under two lengths to Malkia who finished a length ahead of Cyclops.

Shroff also saddled another debut winner, two-year-old Your Royal Majesty (Multidimensional - You Are My Miracle) carrying the silks of Mr Keki D Mehta who owns the colt in partnership with Mr K N Dhunjihoy and Mr Mehernosh H Deboo. Your Royal Majesty posted an extremely impressive victory in the HDFC-Ergo Trophy.

Blavatsky took a smart jump to lead the eight-horse field, being stalked by Grand Gibraltar who almost enjoyed the joint favourite status with Your Royal Majesty at post time. Zervan astride Your Royal strode easy all the time, keeping a respectful two-lengths away from the duo, while the rest never showed much spark.

On turning for straight it became clear that Grand Gibraltar would struggle to keep pace with the leader even as Your Royal Majesty came up with giant strides to challenge Blavatsky at the 200m marker. After a momentary tussle, Your Royal Majesty surged decisively ahead to claim the top honours. The runner up, who finished three-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner and spared five lengths to Grand Gibraltar, also looks like a good type, and should soon aim for the winner's circle soon.

The day however began disastrously for on-money punters as Shroff’s Archie ran into trouble in the first quarter of the nine-furlong race, the day’s opener. The 4/10 on favourite, was in the lead soon on start and as they approached the 1400 m marker, Archie veered out and drifted right across the outer railing, getting completely out of the race. It was later learnt that the bit had slipped and Zervan momentarily lost control of Archie. This was a freaky case and the Stewards interviewed both the jockey and trainer and had have ruled to have Archie gallop during the morning trials from 2000 to 1400 before accepting to run again.

Honest Pleasure (Ikhtyar – Charlize) took the opportunity and produced a timely run to pick the race in style. With Archie out of the picture, Halle went for the lead and entered the straight with a handy couple of lengths advantage. Honest Pleasure didn’t take too long to only catch up, but surge ahead and finish on gamely to score a convincing win.      

The Goldie-Brown camp sent out a ready winner in Haunting Moments (Placerville – Amber Windsor) to win the Indo-German Christmas Trophy Division I. It was a crowded field that stormed into the straight led by Burn. La Traviata was the first to make a serious bid to surge into the lead. Burn had burned out and Starry Ocean the other front runner bled in the race. Haunting Moments was responding to jockey Sreekanth’s call and bounded forward, gathering momentum with each stride. Doc Holiday made headway between horses to provide a challenge when favourite Star of Babylon failed to do so. Zanthos too was improving positions in the final furlong. However, Haunting Moments never let his grip loosen and he kicked on strongly to finish off well. He won comfortably from Doc Holiday. Zanthos managed to pip La Traviata for the third spot.

The lower division of the Indo-German Christmas Trophy was claimed by Hormuz Antia trained Heatwave (Glory of Dancer – Shockwave). Heatwave was right up in front on the jump, alongside Nawazish and Star Zone. Other Song was far too behind and one of the last ones at the turn. Heatwave didn’t take too long to take charge and kept a good gallop going. Glorious Reward looked good to make a challenge but although he quickened, he could not sustain his bid. Other Song came with a sharp run and started to inch closer to Heatwave. Now had Other Song not been languishing so far behind early on, she may have pulled it off. She had too much to do in the straight and Heatwave didn’t give an inch. Heatwave held on narrowly and Other Song would be ruing her chanced that went abegging.

Natalian Express (Oath – Glenviews Purchase) flew in the last stages of the race to score a dominating victory, her first in her fourth outing. The victory however, was a display of sheer speed in the final furlong. First Glance led them in with Yardstick trying to match strides. Magic Vision was just starting to gain momentum when Natalian Express arrived, all guns blazing. She showed devastating acceleration and in no time was four lengths clear of the rest. First Glance was a commendable second and had it not been for the superlative winner, he was clearly the next best. Ricochet improved well to edge out Magic Vision for place money.

Winds of Change (Noverre – Darla)was another one who pulled of an impressively huge maiden victory on the day, albeit he took 18 outings for him to taste first blood. He erupted from the mid-bunch in the final furlong and ripped through to account for the front runners. Sea Pearl was in the lead with Ocean of Faith, Prince Tropical Zone and Striking Shadow close behind. Miss Behave was on the rails and Golden Spurs on the outside. Winds of Change raced between them as they turned for home.

Prince and Tropical Zone got past Sea Pearl and as Tropical Zone took off leaving Prince behind, Winds of Change gathered momentum and swooped upon Tropical Zone. The Antia ward drew away to log a four-length victory.  Macho Uno fought his way to beat Argyle Pink and Striking Shadow for the minor placing.

New World (Razeen – Forest Paradise) who had caught the eye in the Ruia Gold Cup last Mumbai season and raised his stocks, came good when least expected. He was not in a prominent position and as Indian Touch went into the lead early in the straight. He rose from the mid-bunch and approaching the distance post, he was gaining on the front runners. He collared Indian Touch with a furlong to go and went sailing into the lead. Nush then came with a spirited challenge and got closer by the stride to New World. However, jockey S Sunil had it all covered and New World held on grimly to deny Nush any quarter. Moon Shadow ran a fairly good race to claim the third spot.

Rein In Spain (Sunday Doubt – Ice Point) had been knocking on the door for a while now and chose the IGCC day to make it count and clinched the Lufthansa – Senator Trophy. He ran a clean start to finish race and successfully thwarted a few challenges thrown at him. 

Rein in Spain was quick to take over from Plan B on the jump and maintained a steady pace right through the race. He was followed closely by Warrior Prince, the Sandesh ridden favourite, who was just alongside Plan be on straightening up. Warrior Prince was clearly struggling to match Rein in Spain and soon faded out. Plan B stuck on even as Samay Balwan was fighting to stay in contention. With a furlong to go, Rein In Spain with five-kilo claimer Nikhil astride was keeping the momentum going and was looking good going for the line. He did and pulled off a safe victory with San Rafael coming with a late dash to catch the eye while running second. Mountain Warrior too covered a lot of ground and with Hanumant Singh doing a good job in claiming place money.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and HJ Antia saddled a double each. S Zervan was the lone jockey to score a brace.