Malesh Narredu trained Okavango galloped back into form right to score a surprise win and bag the prestigious Byculla Club Trophy. What makes his victory even more remarkable as he bet a couple of quality stayers in the Suresh Mahindra Trophy winner Rodeo and the mighty Native Knight by a comfortable margin!

The major part of the journey was on expected lines, as Roswald, who had pulled of a sensational start-to-finish victory in Pune, tried the same tactics. Okavango was slow off the blocks, but over the distance it would not matter. He was quick to recover and moved up to follow the leader. Antonius Maximus, Rodeo, Native Knight and Caesars Star followed in a single file all through until the final turn for home.

Okavango made the first aggressive move when he challenged Roswald soon on turning for home. He charged ahead and kept a good gallop going. He streaked ahead a la Isn’t She Special. Native Knight and Rodeo came at the leader at full steam, covering ground briskly. Had Okavango slackened even a wee bit, he would have been in danger. However, jockey Woodworth ensured that he had enough in the tank to sizzle past the wire well ahead of his rivals.

The Lt Col Govind Singh (VRC) Cup saw trainer Narendra Lagad’s Vedi Veni Vici create a flutter while beating on-money denbutante TimeBomb. The favourite didn’t justify her performance in ratio to the misery odds offered on her. It might sound hindsight wisdom, but the fact is that Timebomb did look a bit soft in the paddock as well.

It was In Time that shot into the lead soon on start, but Feisty Lass spurted ahead to lead them once they settled down. Cumbre Veija, Gracious and Vedi Vini Veci raced abreast with Timebomb a close last. Feisty Lass didn’t last too long and soon In Time took over, with both Gracious and Vedi Vini Vici breathing down her neck. Timebomb added to her trouble, veering out and going too wide on thruning for home.

Vedi Vini Vici finished on strongly to gallop past In Time to score his maiden victory in his second outing. In Time warded off Gracious to take the runner up spot. Timebomb showed some spark in the closing stages, implying that she probably needed this run.

Tahrir’s victory came as a bolt from the blue as he had finished in the rut last time out in late December. Tahrir (Mull of Kintyre – Shimmering) had given Pune a miss and his last Mumbai form was not too bad. He took just one run this season to post his first win in clinching the Div I of the Captain G Hall Trophy in a tight finish.

Colourful Prince was in control right from the start and at least ten from the field of 18 were going after him at a cracking pace. Colourful Prince and Yardstick were disputing the lead when favourite Affirmation started to cover ground. Affirmation was shaping up well with a furlong to go, when suddenly it started raining horses. Crowned Princess arrived with a strong run to look the one to win. Colourful Prince was fighting hard to stay in contention. With the chaos in front, Tahrir swooped upon them and pulled off a sensational victory, coming from a long way back and timing his run to perfection. Wasabi too finished on strongly taking the third spot. This run was notable and it might be worth watching Wasabi in her next outing.

The lower division of this race saw Peritomoreno (Noverre – Pescara) tussle with last start winner El Wonder to gain control in the final furlong and score her maiden victory. The 7/4 favourite settled down quickly as El Wonder began his start to finish essay. Once in the straight, El Wonder upped the ante and surged ahead, but could not shake off the waiting bid of Peritomoreno. Trevor opened the Shroff-trained filly only when they were half way into the straight. The filly responded well and galloped past El Wonder to post a convincing win. Pepe Senior too was right in the picture galloping close behind the duo in front and did well to take the third place which The Magician threatened to snatch away. The Magician was the one to finish the fastest. He came well off the pace from behind with a dazzling finish, but just failed to pip Pepe Senior. His run was noteworthy.

Shining Path (Declaration of War – Nanjing) had been knocking on the door with some good recent performances and he took his chance this time with a spirited run to open his winning account. Star Builder did the front running all the way into the turn and then faded out. Soon Rubens took over, bet had Shining Path looming large on his outside. Presence too was lurking around and was hoping for a gap in front. He waited for an opening along the rails, which never came about. He switched to the outside and improved too, but by then Shining Path had the race well sewn up. Rubens squandered a good chance as he failed to capitalize on a good start and also failed to quicken when he had the lead in the homestretch. Ucheshrawa arrived with plenty of speed to pip Rubens for the place money.

Negotiator (Steinbeck – Romantic Liaison) shocked his rivals to upset the applecart of favourite The Big Bull, who let down a large following. Again on hindsight, Trevor may have not done the wisest thing in chasing Word of Honour in the early part of the race. He sat on the leader’s tail with Mufasa close behind. Negotiator settled further behind trailing the trio by over three lengths with Yodha Shakti, Belmont and the others behind.

One Wish (China Visit – Flowersoftheforest) who has been consistent too right through his career added a third victory to his tally beating the fancied New World. Antia’s placing him at the bottom weight and entrusting the riding engagement to Hanumant Singh proved a good move. Hanumant has been scoring well this season and this time too he proved a handful to S Sunil who piloted the favourite.

Honest Pleasure took over from early leader Invictus and raced ahead to take a handy lead. Invictus faded out and it was One Wish that started to gain ground briskly. New World drifted out side and certainly looked out of the reckoning even with a furlong still to go. Hanumant didn’t mind that as he raced ahead to score yet another win for himself stretching on his winning streak. This has by far been his best season in a long time. Sunil arrived with New World when all was over to pip Honest Pleasure for the runner-up berth.

The Big Bull surged forward to take over from Word Of Honour soon on turning for home. Mufasa tried to match strides but failed to sustain. Negotiator moved well and came at The Big Bull at a cracking gallop. he easily got past and drew away to score a fluent victory. He certainly had a lot more left in the tank than The Big Bull did, which is why I concluded that the early half should have been tactically slower run by The Big Bull.

Sandeep Manglorkar trained Bethlehem (Mambo Minstrel – Running Beauty) ran a very forward race and reaped the rewards of a memorable maiden victory. The sparingly raced mare took off soon on start and galloped to a handy lead in quick time. Once into the straight, Jaipur Gem tagged alongside her and the both jockeys Sandeep Jadhav and Kavraj Singh astride Jaipur Gem waited for the other to make the first move. Bethlehem quickened well and darted away from Jaipur Gem. However, the latter was not done yet as he gather momentum and started to gain on Bethlehem menacingly. Bethlehem though had a good momentum going and not once did Sandeep Jadhav loosen his grip on the race. He rode out until he was absolutely sure he had the race well in control and even eased up his mount a stride or two from the winning post, so the neck verdict could have been even half a length of more. Dream Weaver ran on to finish third ahead of Seen It All, the last named improving well to figure in the frame.

Dashrath Singh began with a bang, winning the day’s first two races. He had to fight his way for both the successes. Tropical Zone (Quest Star – Oceanic Zone) was in striking position right from the start as Captain Smart led a closely knitted bunch.

In the straight, the scramble began approaching the distance post as Rashun got past Captain Smart. Tropical Zone and Prince were on the tail of the new leader with Amazing Smile also coming into contention. With less than a furlong to go, Dashrath got the measure of Rashun who was fighting hard along with Prince. Amazing Smile challenged Tropical Zone and they were heading for a close finish. Dashrath managed to steer clear in the final fifty and Tropical Zone scored in a tight finish.

Magic Star ( Noverre – Here Goes) scored an encore and was the first of three favourites that obliged in the day. He got close to the leader Celsius once they turned for home and then put in a sustained bid to surge ahead in the final furlong. Dreams R Mine gained ground fast but he had a rough ride doing so. He interfered with Strategy first and was also accused of squeezing Bourbon Street. There were two objections against him and the one which was lodged by jockey Trevor astride Strategy was upheld, resulting in Dreams R Mine relegated to the  third spot and Strategy promoted to second, reversing the original judge’s placing.

For the professionals, trainers Narendra Lagad and Sanjay Kolse saddled a double each, while jockeys Dashrath Singh, Trevor and R Woodworth scored a brace each.