Saturday’s races were profitable for the followers of favorites as five of the eight races saw punters cashing in on clear first favorites. The other three races too did not exactly drop a bombshell as the winners were from the fancied lot, at lucrative odds though. The day’s first three and the last two races had top fancies emerge victorious.

Mr Dilip Thomas, the sporting owner who led in Nefyn twice on the trot in the Invitational Sprinters’ Cup 2013 and 14, enjoyed the second success with his five-year-old gelding Brynhill (Noverre – Chain Reaction) thus avenging Brynhill’s loss to Sherlock Holmes in their last encounter . Brynhill won his second race of the season with a scintillating display in the homestretch, literally drawing away from his last start conqueror most convincingly.

As the gates flung open, it was Pitbull, who led the field on the jump as sped ahead to stay clearly in front with So True and Incentio a couple of lengths behind. Brynhill was improving all the time while Sherlock Holmes, Jimbo, Zoom Zoom and Monza huddled close together.

Pitbull’s lead did not last too long once they entered the straight, as Brynhill did not take too long to take charge. Brynhill surged ahead past the 400 and once jockey NS Parmar took over, he had little to worry about. Brynhill galloped resolutely and there was not a threat lurking. Sherlock Holmes tried his best, giving it all; however, Brynhill proved far too strong on the day and reversed their last outing verdict convincingly. Monza emerged from the rear end of the field to end close behind Sherlock Holmes to take the third spot. Zoom Zoom put up a below par performance and was never prominent.

It was a special day for five of the eight winners as each of them scored the first win of their careers. While Ashrafie, Strawberry Crush and La Tonnarella achieved their maiden successes quickly, Ice Rink and Fajr ended their search for that first win after a fairly long wait. 

La Tonnarella (Glory of Dancer – Accentuate) secured his first win in her second outing and the improvement she showed upon her debut was remarkable. She settled nice and easy in the mid-bunch as Wind of the Hills showed the way with Bonobo and Siddhi close behind. The others were not too far away with Ghanghorr in the rear.

Into the straight, Bonobo put in a spirited bid to take over the running from the long time leader. Siddhi was hard at work moving into second when La Tonnarella arrived with a big run. She devoured ground at a brisk pace and jockey P Trevor was going hands and heels and showed no intention or need to go for the whip. La Tonnarella sailed past Bonobo with absolute ease and stormed away from them all to notch her victory in a commendable fashion. In fact, La Tonnarella’s was the most impressive victory on the day and she justified the crapped odds (45/100) offered on her. Ghanghorr improved positions in the straight to end in the money behind runner-up Bonobo.

Ashrafie (Mull of Kintyre – Terrazas) also the prime favourite (12/10), did not cause any anxious moments to her large number of followers. Ashrafie in fact looked good the moment she hit the front soon on settling down. She grew stronger in the straight and had little difficulty in emerging victorious without encountering any challenge.  Sanam, the next in demand, provided no threat as she just could not match the brilliance of the winner. In fact, Divine Wish fought hard to hold Sanam and Indus Prince for the minor placing.  

Strawberry Crush (Ace – Strawberry Fields) looked on her way to crushing her opponents that included hot favourite Athens, but for a late scare by own owner mate Grenadine, who at the final turn, did not seem to have even a glint of hope.

Amazon Cat missed taking the first turn coming through the backstretch and went straight from the lead to the last position in a matter of seconds. Strawberry Crush found herself in the lead and she capitalized on this maintaining a steady pace all through.

Entering the straight, Strawberry Crush increased the pace and soon amassed a handy lead. Athens, who was following in the third spot started to accelerate, but simply could not find the speed to gain on the leader. It was Grenadine who arrived with a blistering finish to nearly knock Strawberry Crush at the wire. It was jockey Sandesh’s skill that kept the challenger at bay, and the margin was dangerously close. Strawberry Crush, who did receive some smart support at race time, was a tad lucky too as the winning post arrived at just the right moment. 

Hunt For Heads (Noverre – Bold Raider) piled up a handsome victory and won a lot more easily than expected. Jockey DK Ashish, who has been in great touch this season, particular lately this season, confidently held Hunt For Heads closer to the rear end of the field. The early lead kept changing hands and it was Emerald Fortune who finally guided the field homewards.

The bunch in front was tightly packed and there was some rough jostling as they tried to scamper into the lead. Passion Prince, Laurus Pride, Summer Express and Burgundy Rose were all closely knit and fighting amongst themselves to gain the early advantage in the straight. Ashish lit up Hunt For Heads and the Hosidar Daji ward responded with an electrifying run to canter past the fighting bunch with ease and pile up a decisively winning lead in split seconds. Hunt For Heads was fierce in his momentum midway in the straight and the sparkling run that he came up with approaching the distance post was enough to floor his opponents completely. Oriental Masti did cover ground late in the day to reduce the margin, but he could do so only because Hunt For Heads was not exactly firing on all cylinders. Rewarding Desire ran on to end earning the place money.  

Fajr (Ace – Star of Iona) got quickly off the blocks to shoot into the lead and maintained a safe distance from rivals. Once into the straight, Fajr, ridden by jockey Vikram Jodha, surged further ahead and left it to the others to try and catch him. Tanush moved to second but could not quicken as required to clear a longish gap. Highway Express and Princess Love were fighting a grim battle, but making no impact on the reign of Fajr. The Hormuz Antia ward, galloped on relentlessly to get to taste his first taste of victory and this one came in a commanding fashion. Fajr achieved his first success in his 22nd attempt. Highway Express nudged past Princess Love with Good memory also right with them in a three-way photo finish for the minor placing.

It was 13th time lucky for Ice Rink (Royal Kingdom – Sand Pigeon) as the Antia trainee carved his maiden win after 12 previous unsuccessful outings. Ice Rink was well supported in the ring, but had to share the market trends with Adams Prince who also enjoyed wide support.

Run Like The Wind set a decent pace for the mile long race and Ice Rink quickly moved to settle in second. The others were following in close order; only Walk of Life was detached last.

Run Like The Wind led them into the straight and soon ice Rink started to make his presence felt. Guns N Roses was making his bid through the rails and Adams Prince was progressing from the outside. With 300 to go, Ice Rink took charge and having done most things right until then, jockey CS Jodha was never going to give it up. He got Ice Rink into top gear and surged ahead steadily and even Adams Prince’s late charge had no impact whatsoever on the winner. 

Sailor (Ikhtyar – Lascivious) provided the perfect end for the day with another resolute victory adding to his two wins this season, thus compiling a fine hat-trick. The Nina Lalvani ward looked as fit in the paddock as he did last time out; in fact, he looked the pick of the lot. However, he had to work a wee bit harder this time as both Isadoro and Fortune Hunter were too close for comfort in the homestretch.

Isadoro accounted for Rubens who led them all into the straight and worked up a good finishing effort. Sailor was soon in pursuit and was gaining on Isadoro approaching the distance post. Sailor, with Sandesh in the saddle had barely tackled Isadoro and grabbed the lead when Fortune Hunter started to make a strong bid from the outside. Sandesh, unquestionably one of the strongest finishers on the circuit, gave it his all to thwart the late effort from Fortune Hunter to prevail by 3/4 L at the wire.  

For the professionals, trainer HJ Antia and jockey A Sandesh scored a double each.