It was a memorable day for the Chenoys as Bezan and his daughter scored a grand double each as they dominated the 24^th day of the Mumbai Season. It was an entire family affair as other members of the Chenoy family, Bezan’s wife Mrs Bakthawar & son Darius themselves led in two of the four winners as proud owners, which included the day’s feature race – The Provogue AGP Multi-Million.

Joshua (Noverre – Sharatila) was making his debut, and he was pitted against a host of winners who were impressive in compiling their respective maiden wins. Vision of Passion who had a debut win and a good second subsequently garnered solid support in the ring.

At the start, Iridescence faltered while Joleene shot ahead to lead the field. Don Corleone was close behind the leader with Zenofic a faraway third, followed by Joshua and Kazuri. Vision of Raomance was flanked by Rule Downunder and Simply Sweet as they started to negotiate the final turn.

Don Corleone got past Joleene with ease. A couple of lengths behind, Zenofic and Joshua started to gain ground, while Vision of Romance was looking at covering some deficit, with just over 400 to go. Joshua gathered momentum as soon as jockey NS Parmar asked him for an effort. Joshua surged readily to the front at a good pace and shook off Zenofic without trouble. Vision of Romance came in with a blistering gallop, but Joshua was well and truly safe and away. This was as impressive a debut as it can get and kudos to trainer Bezan Chenoy for having meticulously working on preparing Joshua for a stern in his very first run. Joshua came out in flying colours and his victory suggests that he is extremely talented and with maturity, will go on to achieve more glories in his career.

Bezan had earlier saddled Penny Lane (Multidimensional – Peninsula) to emphatic victory to clinch the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Trophy. Penny Lane, who Bezan opined could have won last time too with better assistance from the saddle,   produced a sizzling finish at the business end to smother every other aspirant long way from home.

Jockey YS Srinath was in no hurry as he settled Penny Lane way back in the rear. Star Prince, Jen’s Glory, Rambutan and Angel’s Dream formed a closely knit front bunch. On turning for home, Jen’s Glory took charge and was travelling well. Double or Quits emerged from the mid-bunch and was about to quicken for home when Penny Lane arrived with a dazzling run. Penny Lane improved considerably at the turn and once he came into the picture, he left the others stranded as he bounded forward to draw away leaving his rivals no chance to even mount any worthy challenge. He won fluently and in no time had sailed away to compile a long due victory, the first of his career. Double or Quits ran on to finish second ahead of Jen’s Glory. Run LikeThe Wind kicked on and did well to snatch a place in the frame.

Between the successes of Penny Lane and Joshua, Bezan’s daughter Nazak Chenoy chipped in with a delightful victory with her ward Achieve (China Visit – Gardenia), also ridden by YS Srinath.  Achieve had never scored a victory from 13 outings coming into this race, although he had gone close to winning on several occasions.

The race began on a sedate note with Saturday Affair leading the pack all the way into the straight. As they turned for home, Saturday Affair worked harder to stay in contention as she was confronted from either side by Grand Duke and Star is Born. She shook off the later, but Grand Duke was gaining the upper hand steadily. Earth Tamer who was right with them was taking time in quickening but always remained within striking distance. With a furlong more to go, Srinath began to apply pressure with Achieve. He found himself right behind the fighting duo Saturday Affair and Grand Duke and he switched lanes to cleverly go for the inner rails. Achieve responded with an electrifying run to dart ahead in the final 100 and kept the momentum going with a short sharp burst to ward off a late challenge from Earth Tamer. Scalanaya finished on fastest taking the third spot. Saturday Affair clawed her way back to take the fourth slot from Grand Duke.  

Nazak Chenoy struck again with favourite Brynhill (Noverre – Chain Reaction). Jockey NS Parmar was out quick and settled well to be in a striking position all through. Entering the straight, Brynhill was in third spot behind Relic Hunter and National Pride.

Parmar opened the throttle with 400 to go and Brynhill started accelerating well. He sailed into the lead but Sherlock Holmes started to apply pressure. The pair was fighting alright, but Brynhill looked determined and stronger of the two. Habibian rose from the ranks and was finishing full of steam. He gained considerably over the pair in front and stretched Brynhill to the last stride. Brynhill managed to ward off the spirited challenger and prevailed in a narrow, thrilling finish, providing a first double for Nazak Chenoy in her career.

Dynamo (Bahamian Bounty – Zellers) won the JP Vazifdar Trophy returning to the shorter sprint after running the middle distances. Zervan had him up in front alongside Brindaban as they entered the homestretch. Brindaban stuck along for a bit in the straight and Zervan started to ride out Dynamo getting him to accelerate at just the right moment. Dynamo quickened to establish a handy lead and he was comfortably ahead coming into the final furlong. Zoom Zoom took a touch longer to get into the fly mode while Jimbo made a late dash just as he did the last time.

Dynamo had to keep the tempo going all through as Zoom Zoom was gaining rapidly and Jimbo also emerging with a good finish. Zervan did all the things right and ensured he kept both Zoom Zoom at bay, clinching the issue by a neck. Jimbo was rewarded with the third spot collaring Deep Diver for place money.

Blue Bay (Mull of Kintyre – Prelude to a Kiss) was deftly ridden by jockey A Sandesh to wriggle out of the inner rails and wear down his challengers in the final finish. Blue Bay was in third spot as Warrior Prince led the field home and soon Fabrizio came alongside to challenge. Just as Fabrizio moved ahead of the leader, Sandesh switched to the outside and Blue Bay responded readily. Blue Bay collared Fabrizio and charged ahead. Fabrizio too was staying put even as Ice Skates and Umarkot were making their presence felt. In the end, Blue Bay got stronger and pulled away to score a convincing victory. Fabrizio stubbornly held on to the second spot and Ice Skates managed to save place money.

Neptune’s Ocean (Ontario – Tekindia) scored a facile victory and never looked in danger at any stage. Starting off well and in chase of the leader First Glance right from the gates, Neptune’s Ocean shot into the lead soon on turning for home. First Glance did prolong the inevitable, but when Neptune’s Ocean applied the pressure, First Glance had to make way for the winner. Neptune’s Ocean was untroubled and unquestioned in the final furlong and he romped home to a very easy victory. Vasco Da Gama was not in the picture for most of the way but sprang into prominence at the finish to take the runner-up berth. This certainly was an educational outing for the first-timer and he did exceedingly well to finish the way he did. Vasco Da Gama ought to be earning his bracket very soon. No reason why he should not do so in his next outing.

Top Commander (Rebuttal – Ridawana) justified the miserly odds (10/6 on) and won pulling away without giving a semblance of a chance to any of his rivals. Admiral Gray retired after leading the field into the straight. Top Commander got past Forgotten Voice and stretched out nicely to trounce his opponents.  Forgotten Voice ran on to end a faraway second.

The last race of the day saw Speed Up take the race away from original winner Bella Figura in the stewards’ room. Mohegun Sun the hot favourite for the race marched into the lead soon on turning for home. Bella Figura, Midnight Lady, Prince Arius and Speed Up were ready to pounce on the leader. Mohegun Sun was fighting hard but the others were closing in threateningly. Soon Bella Figura shot through the middle and got past Mohegun Sun. Speed Up too progressed on the outside of Bella Figura and these two battle on ahead.

Bella Figura shifted out under pressure and made contact with Speed Up who was finishing on. Speed Up was taken out as well and Bella Figura bumped into him again inside the final 100 meters before she stayed ahead by a neck at the wire.

Dashrath Singh lodged an objection and after due deliberations the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to Speed Up. Bella Figura was relegated to the second spot, while Mohegun Sun ended third.

The third race of the day was declared Null and Void due to a false start.

For the professionals, trainers Bezan Chenoy and Nazak Chenoy saddled a double each. Jockeys YS Srinath and NS Parmar recorded a double each.