The followers of favourites ought to have enjoyed a profitable day as six of the nine races were won by top fancies. However, the other races threw no bolts from the blue either so it was a good day generally for followers of form.

The main attraction for the day was the WIROHA Million. Rosie Sunshine was in the spotlight as she was taking on the toughest opposition yet in her budding career. She rose to the occasion and dished out her best performance to date resulting in achieving her career best timing – 1:09:98 in the process. Her march to victory was unchallenged and she tore away to keep her slate clean – unbeaten over the 1200 m sprint, while also compiling an awesome hat-trick this season.

A level start saw Dancing Phoenix sailing into the lead effortlessly with Star Trainer and Rosie Sunshine close behind. Weizhou, Amadeus and Ishpingo ran together, with Nefyn and Hawaiian Princess on their heels and Sharaarat tailing the field by a couple of lengths.

Once into the straight, Trevor astride Dancing Phoenix prolonged his move and was waiting for the others to get closer before opening up. Rosie Sunshine (Lawman – Fresh Bread) soon began to gather momentum and came along side the leader. Dancing Phoenix then went all out trying to stave off the challenger. Rosie Sunshine was picking up speed with every stride and jockey Sandesh had little difficulty in taking charge with a furlong to go. The focus shifted on Nefyn who had moved to third by then, but had still to cover a deficit of over two lengths. Nefyn could not give as much weight nor could he match the blitz of Rosie Sunshine, ending third, more than four lengths behind the winner.

Rosie Sunshine galloped away booting home the weight advantage and shut the opposition out in the run up to the wire. She won easing up in the last 100 yet managed to clock under 1:10. With this victory, Rosie Sunshine proved her mettle with the top class opposition and should be the favourite for two other big sprint races ahead – the Dr SC Jain and the Sprinters’ Cup to be held this year at Hyderabad.

“She is improving with each run and today she was brilliant,” said Mr Haresh Mehta in an exclusive chat with Indiarace. “I am even more pleased as she took on a tough bunch this time. She has the speed and now she has proven her class. Let’s see how she fares in the Dr SC Jain Sprint. That one is going to be even tougher. As for the Sprinters’ Cup, well she has earned her nomination from western India, hasn’t she?”

Mr Haresh Mehta had already a lot to cheer about as earlier his horse Jeremiah (Jeremy – Acciacatura) won the Velvet Rope Trophy without too much fuss, over his favourite mile and quarter distance. Jockey Zervan was confident right through as he let Jeremiah settle the way he liked and let him do his thing in the race. He raced in the rear for most of the journey as Spirit of Mercy led them all the way into the straight.

Spirit of Mercy was soon tackled by Star of Gibraltar who moved with purpose. Jeremiah at that juncture was just being switched out from the rails. Once he got a clear passage, Jeremiah started to surge to the front with gigantic strides. He got past Star of Gibraltar inside the final furlong without spending much and ambled towards the winning post unperturbed by Commander making much progress. It was a clinical victory. Jeremiah did just enough of what was required. He did not exert even an ounce of extra effort, nor was he blowing too hard, a clear indication that there is no question over his staying prowess. 

“Yes, I am pleased with his display. He looked very comfortable all through. Zervan knows this horse too well and he did the right things. In my opinion, he should get the longer trips too. He is shaping up very nicely and a bit of rest in between has done him good. He is in fine trim and I am hoping he gets better and better,” said a visibly pleased owner Mr Haresh Mehta.

Well Jeremiah curtained has his stocks rising and this victory pitches him as one of the main contenders for the Indian Derby. He has four weeks time to prepare himself for the big one and he has certainly sent positive signals.

Mr Haresh Mehta had every reason to rejoice as he went to lead in his third winner in the day with Moon Shadow (Noverre – Description) who won him the Singapore Turf Club Trophy. Moon Shadow did not cause any anxiety and settled quickly behind Sherlock Holmes from the start.

Into the straight, Zervan did wait too long and drove Moon Shadow to the front and soon galloped away to amass a huge lead. Moon Shadow looked the winner as early as a furlong and half to go. There was no threat in sight as he marched on all by himself to score a fluent victory. Sherlock Holmes ran on to finish second ahead of One Wish.

War Machine (Burden of Proof – Sans Egale) showed her fighting qualities as she rallied well to ward off a determined challenge mounted by Hudson Hawk to win the Kheem Singh Trophy on debut. Getting off the blocks quickly on start, War Machine was right in front with jewel and Hudson Hawk alongside. Once into the straight, War Machine darted to the front with Hudson Hawk in chase. Approaching the distance post, Hudson Hawk gained on War Machine and may have even headed her briefly. However, War machine showed his grit and courage to wrest the initiative and then bound forward to draw away from her challenger. Troppa Bella kicked on to finish third.

Majestic Opinion (Dixie Union – Khalila) got off to a quick start and soon settled in third behind Feisty Lass and Dazzle N Daze. He took charge with 400 to go but had to contend with Koalaa as the latter turned on the heat approaching the final furlong. A brief grapple ensued but in the final surge, Majestic Opinion proved stronger and he pulled away to score a comfortable maiden victory beating Koalaa comprehensively. Celtic Prince caught the eye while finishing on from the last position to end third.

Alecto (Glory of Dancer – Flying Home) finally carved out his maiden victory which was long due, in his 11^th start. He was up in front in second with Rashun in the lead. The well backed debutante Pamushana seemed under pressure and only came on the scene when all seemed over. Alecto had galloped away to a handy lead and was showing little signs of slowing down when Pamushana started to collect herself. By the time she started to gain ground and confidence, Alecto had sealed the issue to brought about his first success. Pamushana ought to be given another chance as she did show some spark towards the finish.

Asahi (Burden of Proof – Appointed) produced a sustained gallop to eat up ground rapidly and produce a positive result to a good effort. Asahi was in the last position until they turned for home. Dreams of You had stolen a march and built up a huge lead into the straight. However, she weakened when it mattered most and faded out. Asahi improved positions between horses to come to the fore in the final furlong. He bounded forward and galloped away to win from the fast finishing Shining Path. Wish Upon a Star ended a good third. Shining Path had kept company with Asahi in the rear, but Asahi made all the right moves and went one up at the right time. Shining Path had to weave his way between horses and was too late on the scene, even though he put in an equally good performance.

El Wonder (Duja – Alice Wonder) powered his way to a start to finish victory and compiled an impressive victory. He led them into the straight with a handy lead and from there on worked his way gradually outpacing them all. Prince Arius did try to come up with a challenge but simply could not match up to the winner while ending a tame second.

The day ended on a dramatic note. Although Feodor had won the race convincingly, there was an objection to consider awarding the race to runner-up Shygirl on technical grounds, since Feodor’s owner-mate had taken Shygirl’s ground thereby denying the favourite a clear run.

Feodor (Captain Rio – Motocross) had taken charge midway in the straight and had beaten the competition comprehensively. However, Shygirl who made her bid from the outside was taken further out by Zabarwan who was hanging out and drifting away alarmingly. Shygirl was definitely making a forward charge, unleashing her finish. There was no doubt that she would have won had it not been for that severe interference, considering the tempo at which she had covered ground once she broke free. Shygirl fell short of a sensational recovery by a short-head!

The Stewards, after prolonged deliberations and considering the view expressed by the stipes, ruled to keep the result unchanged. They deemed that there was no evidence of malafide intent on the part of jockey Akshay atop Zabarwan hence the majority went in favour of overruling the objection.

Shygirl and her backers can consider themselves unlucky. Despite the interference she rallied gallantly and would have still won if there was another stride. Feodor thrived on his powerful surge approaching the distance post and looked a winner going into the final 100 meters. He did well to keep the momentum going all the way. Zabarwan too was in with a chance had he run straight all the way. The one to disappoint was Four Star General. He was in box seat and he didn’t quicken the way he should have once in the straight. He ended a tame fourth just managing to make the frame with Midnight Run threatening him to the wire.

For the professionals, jockeys Sandesh and Zervan scored a double each.