Champion Jockey C Rajendra was at his best on Thursday’s races at Mumbai. Each of his three victories was bitterly fought and his riding played a decisive role in the fortunes of those races. The very first race of the day had Rajendra astride hot favourite Fire Vault (Royal Gladiator – Backburn Rocket) quoted at half money. Up with the pace until the turn, Rajendra guided the Mansoor Shah trained favourite to get past the front-runners. At the distance post, Fire Vault was in charge all right, but had a pack of horses snapping at him. Chieftain was the closest and Desert Dynamite was making a bid from the rails. Rajendra had to use the whalebone and push vigorously at the same time and to the relief of his supporters managed to keep the challengers at bay. Better handling of Chieftain may have taken the race closer as Zervan did not exactly provide a dream ride on the second in demand. Desert Dynamite ran a good third while Magical Mantra and Es Sider made little impact. Starfall in the race for 3-year olds was my best for the day,” said Rajendra to Indiarace. “This was his first run and he was all at sea, not knowing what was happening. He was green and needed constant guidance all through the race. Even in the straight, his attention was wayward and I think I handled the situation well. This is the one race I shall look back and feel satisfied with my work.” Starfall (Senure – Starsinhereyes) settled in the mid-bunch until the turn Creme De La Crème who got a flying start had a longish lead in the straight. With less than two furlongs left, Triunfo and Starfall began their move at the same juncture. Both warmed up for the final run and matched strides all the way to the winning post. It was in the last couple of strides that Starfall had complete control of the race. Triunfo ran a good race too and looks a good prospect as well. For me, Schnell was vintage Rajendra. I have most often felt that Rajendra is the present day Aslam. I do not for a moment draw any comparison, as I agree with most that Rajendra has a long way to go to reach that legendary status, but in many ways Rajendra reminds me of that great jockey. Schnell (Alnasr Alwasheek – Astor Place) offered at nourishing odds did two big things to win this race. The first was to get past the speedy Monopoly and then the most difficult part, to stave off the forceful challenge from Spirituall. Schnell did his trainer Hormuz Antia proud and the low profile trainer vindicated his prophecy when he claimed to Indiarace after his last victory that Schnell will pick up more races and take a crack at the course record for the scurry. Schnell recorded 58.41 secs against the record timing of 58.04. That was no doubt brilliant. Another interesting fact that comes to light is that the first seven placed runners clocked under 59 seconds! Monopoly flew out of the gates and settled to a scorching pace. Schnell was quick to move in behind her the rest save Englehart were in a close bunch right on the tail of Schnell. In the straight, Monopoly kicked on while Schnell began to inch closer. Spirituall was on the outside and was getting closer. Schnell got past Monopoly at the distance post but had Spirituall breathing down his neck. Rajendra was forceful and rhythmic and after a very keen tussle managed to have Schnell’s head in front at the wire. It was a close verdict and Rajendra had to ward off the stiff challenge from N G McCullagh astride Spirituall Both riders are in top form and this was a battle of the jockeys as well. Danny Grant is surely enjoying his stint this season. His engagements for the day were not exactly the public rage but here two he pulled out two winners out of nowhere. Desert Dust (Glory of Dancer – Warning Shadows) pulled a surprise when he fought with another friendless horse Carlos in the Capt. Hall Trophy. Carlos had established a huge lead in the mile race, and the favourite Divine just could not reproduce the strong finish that saw him through on the last occasion. Desert Dust, who was always in chase of the leader, gathered momentum and started to bridge the gap at a brisk rate. Carlos had a handy lead but squandered it all and fell short by half a length at the post. Grant ended the day picking up the last race astride ironically a horse named Double Delite. Theodoros, was the well-backed favourite coming from a new stable. Nazak Chinoy had made her professional debut as a trainer. Nazak Bezan Chinoy is the daughter of veteran trainer Bezan Chinoy. Nazak is an enterprising young woman who has grown up in the racecourse and has now set out to emulate her illustrious father. Enceladus was her first ward to race and Theodoros, in the last race of the day she hoped, would give her a winning debut. That was not to be, and the thorough professional that Nazak is, she took the loss in her stride and was already looking ahead for her next plan of action. “I had decided early in my life that I wanted to remain with the horses all my life. Having spent most of my time with dad in the stables, I reckon this was the natural choice for a career. I am a private trainer for Mr. Jaydev Mody and have started off with a string of a dozen horses,” said charming newest entrant to the racing world. When I asked her what the first day in office meant to her, she said, “I have been in the paddock innumerable times and the racecourse is like a second home. However, the feeling in the paddock this time was special. I understood the sanctity of the area which is so different than when you are there casually and yes, I was extremely excited.” Asked if she was disappointed with the narrow loss of highly fancied Theodoros, Nazak replied, “A little disappointed yes, and I guess that is natural. However, Theodoros, I feel was done in by the draw. He did not get off the blocks and hit the front as he did the last time. He ran a good race though. Winning and losing is part of the game and does not unduly perturb me.” Nazak has a mature head on her young shoulders, I must add. Double Delite (Juniper – Gypsy Moth) spoiled the party for Theodoros and after a brief encounter, surged away to post a victory by a little over a length. The RWITC had, in a commendable gesture, framed a race in memory of well-known racing journalist late Mr. J V Shukla popularly known as “Ashwamitra”. The humble but forthright gentleman fully deserved the honour. Premier Queen won the Div I of this race with the same ease she did on her last conquest. Sitting third till turn, Premier Queen cruised past the front runners with surprising ease and bounded away for an easy victory. In this current form, Premier Queen will in all probability go on to get an hattrick. Crespo came from behind to end a good second. Golden Spurs who was heavily supported had all the chances but just did not quicken. Encouragement won the second division of this race in a nail-biting finish. Encouragement and Ponyta were engaged in a long drawn battle, which started the moment they straightened for home. As the battle got stronger towards the finish, War of Attrition flew on the widest outside to all but conquer the winner. War of Attrition was last to enter the straight and moved out for a clear passage. The winning post came a stride too early else Rajendra would have had four winners to show. “Part of the game, but this was an agonizing loss,” said Rajendra. He was not finding his rhythm early on and I really had to coax him. He gave me the response midway in the straight and we had a lot of ground to cover. He put in a strong finishing gallop but spoilt his chances going wide,” concluded Rajendra. Weizhou (Senure – Priceless Moments) produced an encore and in similar fashion. Settling in fourth until the turn Weizhou stormed into the lead and had the race all sewn up long way from home. Young Offender gave a chase but Weizhou simply was striding far to well for Young Offender to counter. Weizhou too looks good for a victorious next outing. Mansoor Shah was the lone trainer to log a good double.