The Mahalakshmi racecourse 130 years day had a sizable crowd-attendance and the collections in the various pools was high indeed. With the RWITC contributing substantially to the Super Jackpot and jackpot pools, the collections naturally went up to an all time high with the Super Jackpot netting over the magic figure of ‘130’ lakhs. The turn out too was encouraging despite the arrival of the overbearing Mumbai summer and the paintings and photographs displayed in the marquee provided some relief with patrons provided with complimentary wine, courtesy Myra Wines.

The big race to mark the occasion – The Mahalakhsmi (race course) 130 years Anniversary Turf Championship, presented by The Tata Housing, had a small field of seven in the fray. However, it turned out to be the most fiercely fought race of the day with five of the seven runners finishing close to one another in a heap.

Montreal, who has been in great heart all through the season was installed the favourite, opening at 5/2 and backed down heavily. Older war-horses An Acquired Taste and Ocean And Beyond were at fives, the rest, longer.

Roswald shot into the lead galloping at a brisk pace with Okavango in tow. The rest were huddled close together, with Ocean And Beyond in the rear, but sticking to the bunch.

Roswald led them into the straight and soon Okavango came at him breathing fire. An Acquired Taste and Montreal on the wider out also were making headway. Manyatta was charging in from the inner railing. Ocean And Beyond was way too far back but was also improving. With less than a furlong to go, they were all in a line. Okavango was fighting hard to stay in the lead, while An Acquired Taste and Manyatta were getting menacingly close to the leader. Montreal too looked good and striking as they all made a scramble for the winning post.

That little extra bit required for such a contest came from Manyatta as jockey DK Ashish pushed him between gaps to launch an all out attack in the final 100. Manyatta (Rebuttal – Picture Show) sneaked between Okavango and An Acquired Taste to lunge forward at the all-important moment. He won by a neck! An Acquired Taste, Montreal and Okavango all finished a neck behind respectively and Ocean And Beyond ended 3/4 L further behind to be one off the frame.

Three juveniles were on display and they were all hunting for their personal maiden victories. One of them was a debutante. Classic Moment (Razeen – Anagram) and Al Shamsheer shared most of the betting honours with Spider Man also enjoying a good share of supporters.

In the Green Circle Foundation Trophy Div I, Classic Moment displayed a dazzling turn of foot and the race panned out to be a no-contest. She jumped out smartly and galloped at a cracking pace. She had a good momentum going and Classic Moment got even better in the straight. Jockey P Trevor had his filly on a tight rein for a prolonged period in the homestretch and used just hands and heels in the latter half of the straight. Classic Moment won easing up and for a debut run, this was indeed an impressive display.

Polydences (Oratorio – Perfect Polly) again partnered by Trevor dished out an eye-catching performance to bring up her maiden victory in a commendable manner. Sailing smoothly to the front soon on jumping out of the gates, Polydences kept a good gallop going and the others found it too tough to handle. Trevor did not move a muscle as Polydences, backed down confidently at race time, gathered speed in the straight to snuff out any challenge early and gallop with pleasing strides to score a very easy victory, one of the most impressive on the day. Zabisco, who started well and was close behind Polydences from the start, ended second, nearly three lengths away. Praelector improved places to run in the money.

Flashing Chieftain (Alnasr Alwasheek – Forest Fantasy) scored a comfortable victory without causing any anxiety to his large number of supporters. Pepito had a disastrous start as he jumped out awkwardly and dislodged his rider.

Soul Centric and Reality were the early joint leaders and Flashing Chieftain moved up quickly to settle behind these two, with Assurances and Innocent Affair alongside. Once they turned for home, Flashing Chieftain, with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, did not wait too long and came charging in to sail into the lead. Assurances got a wide gap to make her move through the rails, but Flashing Chieftain was far too good to catch up with the winner. Assurances ran on to finish second well beaten by Flashing Chieftain. Soul Centric held on to take the place money. 

Highlander (Ivory Touch – Happy Queen) notched up an easy win and obliged a large following without much fuss. Mufasa made all the early running with Mountain Force, Cyclopes, Highlander and Razeenaa following the leader. But once they entered the homestretch, Highlander came aggressive at Mufasa and sailed past effortlessly to score an emphatic win. Mufasa ran on to take the runner-up berth.

Myla Rose (Bertolini – Feminine Touch) pulled off an incredible victory and this time held on grimly and did not let go off her lead. She was off on a start to finish mission and when the race came to a boil, she showed courage while shaking off Moon Shadow who she fought off in a prolonged battle in the straight. Heatwave made his bid, but it came far too late as Myla Rose was nearly home when Heatwave appeared on the scene. She easily warded his off and notched her first victory this season at lucrative returns.

Capilano (Phoenix Towers – Ballybunnion) brought about his first victory with a scorching gallop to get past basic Life soon after the start. Once in the lead he got going at a nippy pace with basic Life, Umarkot, Ice Gate and last start winner Beau Royale close behind.

Once in the straight, Capilano marched on ahead and sailed away from the rest with ease. Jockey Sandesh guided the gelding perfectly and Capilano responded with a flourish to win in an impressive fashion and quick timing. Umarkot fought off Basic Life to finish second. Seacaucus improved places to catch a spot on the frame.

Casino Jack (Danehill Star – Sacristia) made ample amends for his last start failure and made up in a big way for the supporters who persisted with backing him this time again. DK Ashish in the saddle this time rode out superbly to snatch the race close home.

Aromatica brought the field homewards and was shaping up well in the first half of the straight. Plated was the first challenge her and Aromatica wilted under pressure. She was erratic and veered out into Plated. Soon Casino Jack made his presence felt and joined the pair with less than a furlong to go. The trio fought out the last 100 meters and at the wire, Casino Jack pulled off a deserved victory by half a length. Plated managed to beat Aromatica for the second spot by an identical margin.

Mambo Magic (Mumbo Minstrel – Thanks A Lot) notched up his second victory on the trot with a superlative show at the finish. This victory was even more impressive than her last one as she swooped down upon Phelps who was going were well approaching the distance post. Dior looked a bit rusty as she began to make a bit and looked in with a fair chance. She failed to quicken and just could not get past the fighting duo of Phelps and Just By Chance. Mambo Magic arrived with a scorching gallop and left them all cold with a solid finishing effort. Phelps was overwhelmed and had to be content with the runner up berth. Dior ended a decent third ahead of Just By Chance.

The Concluding race was a fitting finale for the day as Cosmic Dancer and Antartica Zone provided a thrilling duel in the straight. Antartica Zone was electric at the start and surged into the lead quickly. The others followed in a closely knitted cluster as the heads turned for home.

Antartica Zone was marching on and thwarted the challenge first posed by Rocky Balboa. Soon Cosmic Dancer started to inch closer. Ice Age and Hunt For Heads started to make their presence felt. However, Antartica Zone was being ridden out strongly by CS Jodha. Cosmic Dancer with Sandesh on board started to get alongside and challenged the leader. While these two were battling it out, Ice Age stuck right behind them fighting off Hunt For Heads. In the final finish, Sandesh dealt the killer blow for Antartica Zone as he pushed forward to score a close win. Antartica Zone was a gallant second. Ice Age and Hunt For Heads filled the frame.

 For the professions, trainers Rehanullah Khan saddled a double, while jockeys A Sandesh, P Trevor and DK Ashish scored a double each.