Two quality three-year-olds made a splash in the two divisions of the Mr. Greedy Trophy the concluding events on Saturday’s races. Mine Forever improved on his debut fourth and compiled a handsome victory, while Bullion Express carved out an impressive debut win.

Mine Forever (Placerville – You Are The One) won without toil and capitalized on a quick start to lead the field all the way home. The more fancied Draco, who was impressive on his debut, made a serious bid when he moved to second early in the straight and went all out in chase of Mine Forever. However, Mine Forever accelerated further in the latter half of the homestretch and left Draco no chance of even hoping of getting anywhere to within striking distance in the final furlong. Trevor pushed for home and Mine Forever galloped gamely to keep a safe distance ahead of Draco and win in the most convincing manner. Trainer Pesi Shroff had fined tuned the Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Mr Adar and Mrs Natasha Poonawalla owned filly spot on and the victory was clinical, end to end.

Bullion Express (Ace – Blue Horizon) never looked a rookie the way he shot out of the gates and won as if he knew his task on hand too well. The Imtiaz Sait trained gelding, owned by Mr the Jhangianis, romped home in style and looked the winner long way from home.

It was a super quick start that catapulted Absolute Jewel into the lead soon on start and Bullion Express ridden by champion jockey Sandesh was also super quick to sit on the tail of the fiery leader. Leothefiercehorse along with Zodiac and the heavily backed Westphalia made up for the front bunch with In Time another couple of lengths behind this bunch. The others had some catching up to do as they turned the corner.

Bullion Express showed splendid acceleration as he got past the leader no sooner they straightened up for home. Once in the lead, Bullion Express built on it and quickened exceedingly well to keep the rest at safe distance. Sandesh went hands and heels and never put the debutante under any pressure. Bullion Express stretched out nicely to score impressively on debut. Zodiac caught the eye as well and showed some zip while finishing on well ahead of favourite Westphalia. In Time ended a tame fourth. Storming Home was never prominent for most of the journey however, in the straight he made notable progress despite running slightly green to finish one off the frame.

Shroff had sent out two winners earlier in the day and Mine Forever fetched him a fine treble. He started off with saddling last out winner Peritomoreno (Noverre – Pescara) to fairly convincing victory, her second on the trot. Peritomoreno took full advantage of her inside draw to slip into the lead and sped ahead to add turf and work up a handy lead as they turned for home.

Into the straight, Peritomoreno lunged forward and jockey Akshay confidently strode ahead with his charge. Double Diamond moved to second but failed to gain on the favourite in front. Mr Morrison improved to second and in the final moments even got closer to the winner. In the end, Peritomoreno galloped on without let up and won comfortably with Mr Morrison ending on her tail. Wiki Wiki did show up half way down the straight and also looked in contention for a brief moment. However, when it mattered most, Wiki Wiki could not find that extra bit and ended a tame third, exhausted and well beaten.

Shroff’s Knight of Ke (Noverre – Sweet Affair) made ample amends for his last start failure and this time came into his own with an impressive start to finish victory with Trevor in the saddle. Trevor guided the 7/2 fancy into the lead and adjusted the pace to suit his running. On turning for home, Knight of Ke had a lot to offer and he darted forward without much goading. He got into a smooth action mode and even the late challenge from Bombardier did precious little to put any scare whatsoever. Knight of Ke kicked on gamely to compile a clinical victory and those who had backed him last time, would have rued not persisting with his had they missed on enchasing on him this time round. He looked extremely fit in the paddock and on his looks alone he ought to have been the choice bet.

Trainer Magan Singh Jodha netted a fine double, one a hot favourite and the other with his old timer Tara. Magan began auspiciously with a resounding victory in day’s first race with his on-money favorite Umarkot (Hymn – Battery) obliging in style. Beau Royale entered the straight with a handy lead and threatened to repeat his winning performance of two races earlier. However, Umarkot with Kavraj Singh in the saddle put paid to any such pretence and shot into the lead. Umarkot galloped on with purpose and determination to sail well ahead of beau Royale. Scalanaya and Winds of Change made a late charge but by then, Umarkot had sealed the issue. Scalanaya finished on well to take the runner up berth pushing Winds of Change to third and Beau Royale held his spot in the frame.

 Tara (Royal Kingdom – Kojagiri) has always relished the longer trips and has gone close to winning more than a few times. Her win comes as no surprise as she has been a lot more zestful of late. Zafira was streaming in with alacrity in the final 400 and had a good bank of lead as he galloped on towards the winning post. Ghanghorr and Tara were in chase. Ghanghorr put a good fight to down Zafira but Tara lasted it out better as she surged ahead at the business end to floor the rest, outlasting them all and return triumphant. Magan Singh deserves praise for keeping the eight year old in top fitness to produce the desired result, beating a much younger lot.

MK Jadhav trained Mauna Kea (Sakhee – Deraasaat) sizzled in her finish that reminded one of her similar sizzling run on her debut in Pune. When she made her move late in the straight, Habibians had just taken over the running and had Silsila on his heels. Mauna Kea arrived with a tremendous burst and looked the winner just when she appeared on the scene. Mauna Kea and Sandesh bulldozed through the bunch in front and dealt the telling blow to blow away her rivals with an aggressive finish.

Hormuz Antia’s Earth Orbit (Royal Kingdom – Fiddle Faddle) was the popular fancy and she thrilled her large following with an exciting victory fighting all the way to the wire. Although Earth Orbit was the clear favorite, Cut Diamond, Flying Kiss and even Stormy Day had his share of supporters, which is what made the finish even more interesting.

Cut  Diamond was on charge with a furlong to go and he was giving it his all. Earth Orbit came snorting down at him but Cut Diamond was not in the mood to make it any easier for Earth Orbit. Flying Kiss and Stormyday were keen on adding pep to the finish.

In the final 100 it was a free for all. Earth Orbit had just nosed into the lead when Flash Drive came with a scorching finish. The screaming in the stands was high-pitched as they went for the wire in a three-pronged finish. Earth Orbit emerged the winner flanked by Flash Drive who missed out by half length, and Cut Diamond a close third.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff sealed his trainers’ championship title with a treble and Magan Singh Jodha saddled a double. Jockey A Sandesh too is too far ahead for the jockeys’ championship and he added two on the day to take his tally to 57 winners! P Trevor stretch his personal score by winning two races and he stands a faraway second with 33 winners to date for this season.