The Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship and the Forbes Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Championship races were surprisingly identical in script. Both races were closely contested and both winners got the race on the last stride. Dr. Vijay Mallya won both races. However, the timing for the races over identical distances was alarmingly different. While the colts clocked 1:35.69 the fillies took 1:42.38. Spearhead (Burden of Proof – Imposing) won the colts with a margin that exactly measures up to his name. No exaggeration this! He won by the minutest point of a spearhead. Classerville, the popular fancy hit the front and maintained a narrow edge all through out the race almost to the finish. He was followed by Cambiasso, River Chieftain, and Spearhead was in the rear but not too far. In the straight, Classerville galloped on and countered the challenge from River Chieftain and Supreme Emperor with authority but did not reckon the lightening finishing effort from Spearhead. Spearhead never looked threatening even past the distance post when she was striding along the rails with three horses in front. However, the moment jockey Harish switched him out, Spearhead got into flight mode and flew for the winning post. His timing was precise and he not only shocked the favourite but also all those who were watching the race closely. Sea Sparrow was another contender who ran a terrific race. He was right behind Spearhead and his movements were influenced to a large degree by Spearhead. Sea Sparrow had to switch course too and moved alongside Spearhead in the final finish. Sea Sparrow, I thought was trifle unlucky considering that he finished on well, and a clear homestretch run would have seen him reap richer rewards. River Chieftain and Supreme Emperor gave all they had and the first five finished in a close huddle. It was a finish worthy of the big race. Astral Flash (Belong To Me – Burooq) got it right this time after losing on the post in her last outing to Harmonica. Timing her run to a nicety, Astral Flash responded the moment jockey Neeraj Rawal changed his whip hand to right. That set the filly alight and she managed to put her nose on the wire just as Captivating was being hailed as the winner. Again, as for the colts, the last stride decided the fate of the race. Captivating had torn between The Pearl and Harmonica who were fighting for the lead past the 400. Captivating took charge after shaking River Blossom off her tail and surged for the winning post. Astral Flash looked on a mission to settle scores. She made her charge on the outside and moved past the front-runners giving them a glimpse of why she was named ‘Astral Flash’. Appalina was guilty of cutting a slow initial pace and Astral Flash for sure won’t complain. The crawl suited her the most and more importantly she made it count. For Dr. Vijay Mallya, this was a perfect Sunday leading up to his McDowell Signature Indian Derby day. He won both the fillies and Colts championship and with success, is the best way to go for the ‘D’ day.