Fancied horses took a beating as only two prime favourites obliged in the eight-race card scheduled for Thursday’s races at Mumbai. Trainers Mansoor Shah and MK Jadhav each saddled well-backed doubles. There were close finishes, excitement, objections and drama that panned out on the 31^st race day of the season.

Mountbatten (Rock of Gibraltar – Sharatila), who had finished runner-up to Remember Me last time out, went one better as he thrived from that run and unleashed a strong finishing effort to down all and sundry with minimal effort. Myla Rose had cut the pace from the start with Halle and Trance close behind. Barringo and Mountbatten were lagging by a couple of lengths with Falco Nero a detached last. Mon Ami whipped around forcing his rider off and took no part in the race.

Into the straight, Myla Rose continued her good work and made them all get to her. Trance was the first to challenge the leader and Dashrath Singh seemed to be getting her to go. Barringo made his bid between the two in front while Mountbatten was ready with his challenge from the outside. Trance came under pressure and wilted while trying to accelerate. She shifted in and made contact with Barringo. Myla Rose in keeping on even keel, moved outward slightly and that closed the gap thereby causing Barringo an obvious check. Mountbatten surged ahead at the distance post and with the others jostling about, jockey A Sandesh found it easier to rocket ahead and compile a facile victory.

The riders of Barringo and Myla Rose lodged objections against Trance. It was a straightforward decision for the stewards and after questioning the jockeys involved ruled to relegate Trance to the fourth spot from second at the original finish. Myla Rose got the second spot and Barringo promoted to third.

Mansoor Shah trained Fribourg (Noverre – Kaimana) was another one who improved on his last start second to carve out his maiden win with a steady performance. Steady, but for one glitch at the start. As they jumped out the top two favourites, Fribourg and Made To Measure were involved in a skirmish as they jostled for early advantage. As they jumped out, Lhotse from draw number three shifted in slightly causing Made To Measure to move in and make contact with Fribourg’s quarters. Fribourg, probably on reflex due to the impact veered outward and bumped into Made To Measure. After that bit of tussle, Fribourg darted ahead with Made to Measure chasing him all the way.

Once into the straight, it was clear that the top two fancies were superior to the rest. Zervan kept Fribourg going and Made to Measure despite an all out effort ended chasing the winner, finishing just a length behind.

Soon an objection was lodged by both the trainer CD Katrak and jockey Sandesh of Made To Measure against winner Fribourg for the infringement at the start. In the stewards’ room, trainer Katrak was vocal and animated in his protest, accusing Zervan of riding blemishes and frequently guilty of failing to keep a straight course in several other races as well. The stewards after a while, told him to tone down his volume and confine his allegations to the race in question alone. After deliberations, the objection was unanimously overruled.

Mansoor Shah a race earlier had saddled well-backed Small Treasure to a smart win edging out Blind Date who tried to go for it right from the start. Blind Date darted into the lead and was followed closely by Plan B and Jaipur Gem. Small Treasure was not too far behind while the rest were not too prominent.

Blind Date entered the straight with a narrow lead but was going quite well. Neither Plan B nor Jaipur Gem were making any impact on the leader. Small Treasure warmed up approaching the 300 meter marker and started to wear down the lead rapidly. Past the distance post, Small Treasure got alongside Blind Date. The pair battled for a few strides; however, Small Treasure always had the upper hand. He finally ended half a length ahead to clinch the issue close home.

Argyle Pink (Noverre – Zeta Jones) finally was rewarded with a maiden victory in her twelfth start. She was consistently placing in her recent runs and was attempting the Derby distance for the first time. Argyle Pink’s was a commendable effort as she went all the way start to finish dictating the pace, as she liked. In fact, Sandesh gave her a breather at the half way stage and that held her in good stead as she had to utilize every ounce of her energy at the business end. Argyle Pink led the field home and was strongly challenged by Blue Swallow midway up the straight.

Blue Swallow gained ground briskly between 400 and the last 100 meters to get alongside Argyle Pink. Sandesh never let his guard down and was hard at work all through the straight. Dashrath atop Blue Swallow provided a tough fight, but Argyle Pink showed courage and determination to thwart the lively bid from Blue swallow.

Mambo Magic (Mambo Minstrel – Thank A Lot) from trainer Ivor Fernandes’ yard produced a blazing turn of foot to swing the race her way in the last 100 meters. She was huddled in the mid-bunch most of the way as Annabeth made the initial running and led the field homewards.

Into the straight, Annabeth was soon passed by favourite Sultan of Swing, who was shaping well approaching the distance post. Mambo Magic warmed up nicely and came with a devastating run in the final furlong. Sultan of Swing had no chance once Mambo Magic gathered momentum and she passed them all with a flourish to clinch the issue with some distance still to go. Sultan of Swing was found to have broken a blood vessel. Annabeth produced a good effort too, going start to finish and ending in the money.

Queen (Mambo Minstrel – Queen’s Special) produced a fine finishing effort to storm ahead in the final furlong to leave the rest flat footed. Dancing Splendour brought the field into the straight with Passion Prince ready to pounce on him. Queen, who was in the fourth position, was switched out by jockey Kavraj Singh. Once shown the daylight, Queen galloped majestically to shun out her opponents and run away with the race. Establish Predator ran on to beat Passion Prince for the second spot.

Warrior Prince (Major Impact – Ghazwat) scored his second victory of the season with a good run staying clear of the late challenger Mountain Prince. El Wonder led them at the start with Song of Africa and Warrior Prince close behind. On straightening up for home, Song of Africa sped past El Wonder but soon Warrior Prince surged alongside. The duo battled for a few strides with Mountain Prince gaining on them. However, Warrior prince, ridden by Prabhu Naidu streaked ahead in the final fifty to quell the late challenge of stable mate Mountain Prince. Song of Africa ended a close third.

Scaramouche (Placerville – Lecce) romped home an impressive winner scoring an effortless win to outclass the rest by a widening margin. He struck soon on turning for home just as Mr Morrison took over from Wind of the Hills. Barely had Mr Morrison nosed ahead, Scaramouche, ridden by Ashhad Asbar stormed past to move away fluently and put the issue beyond doubt even with a furlong to go. Favourite Sound of River could do nothing to even make a fight of it. Sound of River ended a tame second with Gloria progressing to come from behind to take the third spot. Hot Pepper made his bid from very wide outside to pip Mr Morrison for a place in the frame.

For the professionals, trainers MK Jadhav and Mansoor Shah saddled a double each. Jockeys A Sandesh was the lone jockey to score a double.