The start of the Mumbai season panned out on expected lines and followers of favourites couldn’t have returned happier as all but the first race saw the prime fancies obliging. The collection drive for the Indian Cancer Society and a dazzling performance by brave cancer survivors marked the opening day of the season. The RWITC presented a cheque of Rs 150,000/- to the NGO and a certain Mr RN Mehta, member of the club generously donated Rs 50,000/- added to the collections on the day.

The Race of Hope Gold Cup was won by Simply Sweet as if conveying the gesture on the part of donors contributing in aid of the cancer struck patients. The Imtiaz-trained bay filly rose from the mid-bunch to overcome strong resistance that came from Fibonacci Sequence in the latter half of the homestretch.

Neptune’s Ocean took to the early lead and led the closely knit bunch into the straight. Fibonacci Sequence, who was chasing the leader right through, took charge soon on turning for home. Jockey Akshay eased Fibonacci Sequence into a fine rhythm and the gelding who had disappointed in Pune galloped away to build a sizable lead. Feast of Love and debutante Royal Classic were getting nowhere although being in a good position to strike. Simply Sweet (Noverre – So Swing, Sohna Stud) moved up on the outside and started to warm up. Pepito was stuck for room and had to be switched out.

In the final furlong it was clear that Fibonacci Sequence had only one danger to counter and that was from Simply Sweet. Jockey CS Jodha got his filly to accelerate at just the right time and started to inch closer to the leader. Fibonacci Sequence galloped on right till the end, however, Simply Sweet arrived with full force to negate the former’s good effort to collar him in the final few strides and carve out a narrow win.

Imtiaz had earlier sent out Janis Jay and jockey YS Srinath rode out to his advantage pulling off a well strategized victory. Carrying the top weight, Srinath opted to go to the front and set a leisurely pace and with bottom weight Cactus Cash not willing to grab a possible advantage going to the front, played right into the hands of Srinath.

Janis Jay ambled along most of the way with Cactus Cash and The Myth following a couple of lengths behind. They went about their motions and it was not well until into the straight that the pace picked up. The Myth came to challenge the leader with just over 300 to go. Srinath let the challenger get to his filly’s haunches and then started to urge the filly on. Janis Jay who had reserved all her strength, changed into full gallop mode and sped away in the final furlong to score with a fair measure of comfort. The Myth looked under pressure and it was later announced that The Myth had bled. Cactus Cash was left to rue the decision of not braving to call Srinath’s bluff.

Jockey DK Ashish is fast developing into a jockey of caliber. The new boost to his career in striking a connection with the strong Shroff stables seems to have worked like a shot in the arm for him and he was in his elements riding out back-to-back winners on the opening day.

His first assignment was a tough one atop the short priced favourite and debutante Bon Vivant (Multidimensional – Cest Bon, Usha Stud). The impressive looking filly made things harder for Ashish as she goofed and ran green in the initial stages of the race and was languishing in the rear until into the straight.

Ocean Dream led them into the homestretch and was going well. Bon Vivant made a valiant attempt and improved positions, still not completely focused to the task. She was hanging and throwing her head about even in the straight. Ashish finally managed to alert her and in the final 100 meters Bon Vivant came into her own. Ocean Dream still had what looked a comfortable lead, but Bon Vivant devoured ground impressively towards the finish to down Ocean Dream close home.  Bon Vivant should strip fitter after this outing and looks a good prospect to win again. Ocean Dream returned a gallant runner-up and will live to fight another day. This was her third consecutive second and surely she would go one better before long.

In the very next race Ashish partnered Ladybird (Camacho – Lady Fabiola, Capricorn Stud) to a thumping victory and Ladybird obliged her supporters with an emphatic finish to land the spoils with something to spare.

It was Artiste who hit the front and was chased closely by Ainra. Egyptiana and Blue Bay were next up followed by Ladybird and Valentino all closely huddled together.

Artiste fought hard to cling on to his lead with Ainra looking threatening alongside. Ladybird moved up smoothly to join these two approaching the distance post. Egyptiana received a minor check and lost a stride or two and with it her chances of making it three-in-a-row. That said, nothing would have stopped Ladybird the way she zipped past them all in the final furlong. Ladybird came with a flourish and it was all over in a flash.  Ainra looked good while finishing second making it one-two for the Shirke silks. Artiste held on to place money keeping Egyptiana at bay.

Royal Sapphire (Stardan – Black Sapphire, Rolli Stud) caused no anxiety to her large number of supporters and justified the cramped odds offered on her. She jumped out well and was straight dictating terms to her hapless rivals. Champion Sandesh had no difficulty in guiding Royal Sapphire to a very easy win. She got even stronger in the straight and romped home carving out a four lengths plus victory effortlessly. Romantic Racer, who had faltered at the start, made considerable progress in the straight to do well in beating Without Fear for the second spot.

There was just one casualty on the day, as far as favourites go and that was when trainer Narendra Lagad’s Suntan Beauty (Mr Mellon Free to Fly, Ruia Stud) ran away with the opening race of the day. Bonobo was backed down unreasonably to ‘on money’ at race time and the favourite produced a lacklustre performance to disappoint a large following. Bonobo jumped out tardily and jockey Daman was very weak in his handling as well. Marcos and Cumbre Vieja disputed the early lead with Suntan Beauty staying unconcerned at the rear end of the small field.

At the turn, Marcos led them in while Suntan Beauty moved up on a tight rein. Jockey Darren Williams improved positions briskly and soon took charge to sail away from the tiring lot. Bonobo failed to raise any worthwhile gallop and finished way behind never looking the part at any stage. Marcos put in a much improved run over his Pune performances. It was Suntan Beauty all the way as she picked up her first race over the mile trip.

Statuesque Noverre – Algorithms, Sohna Stud) shook off her maiden status with a gritty start to finish victory with Yash Narredu in the saddle also putting in a determined effort. She was off to a quick start and led from the first stride.  Once into the straight, Statuesque shook off Double Diamond with ease but was kept under pressure by the presence of Dark William who was closing in. Young Yash Narredu rode her out forcefully and just when it looked the danger had been smothered, Mateus Rose arrived with a late challenge. Statuesque, however, had a good momentum going and managed to hold on to bring about her maiden success and promising to add to it in similar company.

For the professionals, trainers Imtiaz Sait and Narendra Lagad saddled a double each while jockey DK Ashish rode out a double as well.