Favourites took the back seat as horses with nourishing odds scored in most of the races on Saturday at Mumbai. While Wild Waves was the lone favourite to oblige, One Wish, Target Master and Mountain Queen, all offered in double figures floored the followers of form to pick up smart wins. Falcon was the biggest casualty and let down a large number of followers for the second time of late.

The Moonlight Romance Trophy, first of the two trophy races for the day, had a line of just six contenders. Falcon, who had finished a fighting second last time out carrying a lot more on his back last time, was touted to win this one and the bookies quoted him at a miserly 5/4.

As they jumped out, Caesars Star led briefly before Spirit of Mercy zipped past them all to set a moderate pace. Negotiator settled into third with Falcon close behind, Mountbatten and Rodeo were in the rear.

ON straightening for home, Spirit of Mercy kicked on even as Falcon and Caesars Star got alongside. The three were engaged in a grim battle as they dashed past the distance pot. While Negotiator and Rodeo were not up to it, Mountbatten (Rock of Gibraltar – Sharatila) joined the trio in front with less than a furlong to go. Mountbatten, with Sandesh in the saddle, came up with a dazzling finish to speed past them all and win handsomely. Spirit of Mercy found that little extra to resurface after both Caesars Star and Falcon had gotten past him to fight his way back and snatch the runner up berth.

It was more or less the same story in the Rustomji Byramji Trophy, only Providence proved too good for the bunch and made his powerful bid a tad early.

Ice Gate, San Rafael and Siddhi were the joint leaders and they turned for home almost together. Earth Tamer tried hard to make an impact but failed to quicken. Grand Duke, who once again was not the quickest out, weaved his way through horses and progressed through lucky gaps. That was when jockey P Trevor produced Providence (Alnasr Alwasheek – Dancing Image) from the center of the track, widest of all and the Zadmal Singh ward came swooping down on the front bunch. He tore away from them within split seconds outclassing them all to win in a most convincing fashion. Grand Duke ran a good race too, but had no answer to the fiery burst of brilliance that Providence produced. 

Wild Waves (Arabian Gulf – Nightlife) kept up his good, consistent showing as he logged his third victory this season. It didn’t look all too easy when Dreamliner led them into the straight, with Ice Age ready to pounce on the leader. Ice Age went surging into the lead with Song of Sparrow also making her presence felt. Wild Waves was between horses and Pepe Senior was making his run from the outside. Ice Age looked good inside the final furlong as he galloped relentlessly towards the winning post. Wild Waves gathered momentum and was at his fastest in the last 150 meters and he caught up with ice Age close home to carve out a narrow ¾ length victory from Ice Age. Pepe Senior did well to end in the money.

One Wish (China Visit – Flowersoftheforest) charged in with a rattle towards the closing stages of the race to shock Belvedere near the winning post. Belvedere looked in command as he galloped strongly right through and looked right on course on his way to an encore. He led from the start and entered the straight with a useful lead. Trevor then urged the filly and Belvedere responded nicely as well. Even in the final furlong it looked a hard task for the others, as Highlander, bombardier and Mufasa, who were closest behind the leader were not finding the depth to make a fight of it.

One Wish rose from the rear and made his bid from the wide outside. He started to accelerate well and in the final furlong, he was coming at Belvedere full of steam. He timed his finish to perfection just getting Belvedere a stride before the winning post to register a narrow victory.

Targetmaster (Ace – Blurr) pulled off a coup if there was one, romping home with unexpected ease. He was nowhere close to the front in the early half of the race and was sixth or seventh at the turn. Star Prince and Alectar were in command as they turned for home and Alectar sped ahead to take charge. Midnight Run was not finding much and fell back. Dior was in the striking position, but just could not quicken. Targetmaster came through between horses to get past Alectar with Saturday Affair trying to put up a challenge. However, Targetmaster had picked up terrific momentum and he stormed away nipping Saturday Night’s challenge in the bud. He won untroubled and in a smart timing too. Saturday Affair found one too good and his performance too was a good one. Copperglow kicked on to grab the place money.

The day’s opening race saw Sindbaad earn his maiden victory with absolute ease inflicting a crushing defeat upon his rivals. He took a while to settle down after going into the lead soon on start. Once he got his rhythm right, Sindbaad sailed away without encountering any challenge.

The Nirad Karanjawalla ward entered the straight with a handy lead and jockey S Mosin had only to guide him through the straight. Sindbaad never let Ibis and company get anywhere close and marched on fluently to score a facile victory. Ibis was no match and could only watch Sindbaad go further away in the straight and compile a near-five length victory.

Mountain Queen was another stunner from the Antia stables and CS Jodha was at his fighting best to down Sandesh atop Vanguard in a cracker of a finish. Vanguard took over the running Double Diamond once into the straight. Mountain Queen quickly moved to third as they galloped past the 400. Vanguard established a slender lead and soon Mountain Queen began to inch closer. Tempest was right behind but could not handle the blaze of the pair in front. In the last furlong, it was a straight fight between Vanguard and Mountain Queen. They fought stride for stride with Mountain Queen (Razeen – Forest Treasure) holding a slight advantage. Vanguard fought out gallantly but on the wire fell short by a whisker. Considering he was giving nine kilos to Mountain Queen, Vanguard fought bravely only to lose by a short head. CS Jodha was at his best at the finish and timed the bob of the head perfectly to return triumphant in a close finish.

For the professionals, trainer Antia and jockey CS Jodha scored a double each.