Sunday's races saw fancied horses perform well and although a couple of horses won at 10 to 1 or over, they were not completely out of the reckoning. Hence, the various pools paid out moderate dividends and it could have been even-Stevens on the ‘Bookmakers Vs Punters’ scenario, perhaps a marginal tilt on the bookmakers' side, which anyway is the case on almost all occasions.

Acclaimed perhaps was the one to dent the bookies' business as he was the lone horse backed heavily to win the BTC Trophy. The even-money favourite clearly garnered maximum support with Mint Approach and Mountbatten available freely in the fives and sixes in the five-horse field. There was some hope for the bookies when Spirit of Mercy darted ahead and enjoyed a substantial lead entering the straight, but Acclaimed, running after a layoff of nearly seven months, started to make progress past the 400. Then again, Myla Rose provided some hope as she poked between the leader and Acclaimed to seize the initiative briefly and with Mountbatten also finishing on with a spirited run. However, jockey P Trevor seized control in the final furlong to smother the two challengers effectively and make the grade showing sheer class. Acclaimed showed no rustiness and although the margin was under one length between the first three, Acclaimed’s victory never looked in doubt and he eventually stuck it out to resume his winning ways commendably.

Greek God (Chevalier – Pas de l’Argent) was most impressive in notching up his third successive victory, this time claiming the Bahrain Trophy without much fuss. What makes this victory even more credible is that he was giving chunks of weight to his rivals in his own age group, which is indeed a big ask. Greek God did it in style and without dropping sweat.

Greek God shot into the lead coming well from an outside draw to straightaway take charge. He kept a good momentum going with Trevor completely in command right through until the straightened up for home. Greek God did not rocket off actually, as Trevor kept him in check all the way, with Heart of the City, Koalaa and Hudson Hawk, all of whom were his main threats galloping close behind.

Heart of the City was the first to challenge the Dallas Todywalla ward but the challenger was not making much headway. Soon Koalaa came along with threatening strides and got to the haunches of Greek God. Hudson Hawk too within striking distance and the trio was crowding Greek God within touching distance. However, when the push came to a shove, Greek God responded to Trevor’s urging and surged out of bounds within spilt seconds. He won easing up yet had close to two lengths to spare; the timing though was not as impressive as was the manner of victory.

Koalaa went close, but did not exactly dazzle at the finish. Hudson hawk only managed to pip Heart of the City for the third spot. Dallas now has a fine specimen at his yard in Greek God.

Godspeed (Multidimensional – Almandine) also impressed on her debut and won the Karl Umrigar Trophy in an emphatic fashion, beating a more fancied lot with ease.  Jockey DK Ashish guided the debutante perfectly and carved out a winning first outing for the Malesh Narredu ward owned by Dr Ram Shroff and Mr Sameer Tapia. Godspeed swung into the action taking over the lead and travelled beautifully throughout. Pepito improved to settle in the second spot with Mystic Romance, Revlon and the rest in a bunch.

Into the homestretch, Godspeed increased the momentum and surged further ahead of the rest. Pepito and Revlon stepped on the gas but were not finding enough to even get closer to Godspeed. Ashish had little to do as well, as Godspeed showed blazing acceleration and drew away from the rest to secure an emphatic victory and showed promise of lots more to come. Pepito found one better, but he too will take some pluses from this run. Revlon did not raise hope and just about managed to stay in the frame, even though she was within striking distance. Zazou improved to snatch the third place from Revlon.  

Jockey DK Ashish had earlier piloted favourite Belvedere (Authorized – Dutch Auction) to a start-to-finish victory, managing to keep herself a safe distance ahead of the others.

Belvedere did not take too long to sail into the lead and relished the pace she herself set to suit to her comfort. Once they turned for home, Belvedere quickened gradually to stay well ahead. Fleetwood Mac showed some zip and went all out in trying to produce some challenge, but Belvedere proved far to superior as the Shroff trained filly kicked on leaving nothing to chance. Fleetwood Mac was well beaten and Dixie Delight ran on to end a faraway third.

Imtiaz Sait trained Ultrasonic (Phoenix Tower – La Moraleja) was one of the few horses who won at 10/1 and she looked the winner early in the straight. It looked a close race on the card, however, Ultrasonic put in a dazzling display to outpace favourite and the recent two-time winner Wild Waves and company.

Ultrasonic was quick at the start and settled to sit second behind Dreamliner. Wild Waves was next with the rest of the bunch closely knit together, with Vanguard and oriental Rocky at the rear.

Ultrasonic readily went into the lead soon on turning for home. Wild Waves went after her quickly but Ultrasonic with jockey JH Christopher in the saddle accelerated with tremendous power and approaching the final furlong, had sailed away to secure a facile victory. Wild Waves ended chasing the winner while Sheer Romance put in a gritty performance to earn place money, edging out Ice Affair by a whisker.

Tempest nearly put a scare into Mountain Prince with a scorching late burst and the finish was as thrilling as it can get. Mountain Prince did everything right as he jumped out smartly to lead the field. Favourite Neptune’s Ocean made rapid progress at the start to be right with the front bunch and Tempest was last approaching the turn.

Mountain Prince (China Visit – Perpetual) continued in fine galloping rhythm and although Neptune’s Ocean was trying hard, he was not gaining an inch. Inside the final furlong, it looked all was over and Mountain Prince was on course to a facile victory when Tempest moved with lightning speed in the last fifty. Such was his blaze that he covered a deficit of at least three to four lengths in the final 100 to miss out by the thinnest of margins. Favourite Neptune’s Ocean was a fighting third and San Rafael showed a late dash to figure in the frame.

Quando Quando (Mr Mellon – Knowledgeable) with S Mosin astride arrived late on the scene but arrived with a thundering finish to down Shockalot who was himself shocked indeed. Shockalot was right on course as he hit the front and then did most things right. Tote favourite Mt Tianmen was sluggish and jockey Kavraj Singh wasn’t entirely at his best. However, apprentice S Mosin was brilliant atop Quando Quando as they emerged from the rear and charged in past the distance post to steal Shockalot’s thunder meters from the winning post. MT Tianmen finished a head behind the shell shocked Shockalot.

Perhaps the heaviest of betting on the day came on Nature Boy (Mull of Kintyre – Atmosphere). He was backed to even money or a little less at race time as if his losing was out of question. Well, the trend proved right as Nature Boy emerged from the sixth position in the straight to counter the five in front of him one by one. However, it was not easy or without anxiety as a late challenge was brewing as Victorian came up with a worthy challenge.  Victorian arrived with a scintillating run but Nature Boy was in no mood to see an excellent attempt go down. He held on stubbornly and prevailed by half a length.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a double and jockeys P Trevor, DK Ashish and apprentice S Mosin each scored a double.