Sunday races proved a nightmare for bookmakers as punters, for a change went laughing to the banks. Way Out was the only exception; however, she too was very much in the betting at 7/2 and the next in demand after Dancing Phoenix. Form horses obliged one after the other offering no respite to the bookies all through the day. The notable factor was that most of the favorites saw a steep rise in prices, some even at double the quote on their ante-post odds.

The AC Ardeshir Trophy (Gr3) had a strong line-up and Circle of Bliss whose morning price was at 10/7 on had soared to 13/10 at best at race time. On the track, she scoffed at the bookmakers’ bravado and cantered home comfortably, biding her time in the initial stages and finishing with finesse to win with ridiculous ease.  The Shroff trainee proved far superior to Marrinsky & company with a dazzling run in the homestretch.

Master Shifu led the field making a deliberate attempt in outpacing Silver Streak and set the pace. Heatwave settled in third, a gap of about four lengths behind came the others with Circle of Bliss and An Acquired Taste at the rear end.

Master Shifu guided the field home and soon Silver Streak tried to wrest the lead. Keukenhof made a valiant attempt to charge ahead with Knight of Ke slipping in from the rails. All of them were at top gear just as the crowd started to brace for a hot finish, jockey P Trevor set Circle of Bliss alight. Circle of Bliss (Singspiel – Dubai Sprint, Nanoli Stud), owned by the famed trio – M/s Vijay Shirke, KN Dhunjibhoy & Berjis Minoo Desai arrived, unleashing a terrific burst of speed to leave them all stranded. Within split seconds the filly shot ahead making the fast finishing effort of Marrinsky seem a tame effort. Such was the brilliance of Circle of Bliss who certainly is in prime form currently and in this state of fitness, she surely can prove a money spinner right through this season.

Ace Trainer Pesi Shroff sent out two other winners in Solomon and Bon Vivant. While Solomon’s victory looked a formality, the interest was keen on Bon Vivant’s progress as she was pitched in for a harder battle within about ten days of her debut success, and in class III against a lot more experience horses.

Bon Vivant (Multidimensional – Cest Bon, Usha Stud) who had covered a lot of ground on her debut to just about win, showed a lot more maturity this time to secure a comprehensive victory to make in two from two.   

Essence of Love was quickly out of the gates and shot into the lead with Bon Vivant settling in the second spot. The rest followed in a bunch close behind, only Hidden Asset was trailing them all by about two lengths.

Essence of Love was hard at work on turning for home with Bon Vivant gaining on him with every stride. Bon Vivant took charge approaching the distance post and jockey DK Ashish soon had him quicken and kick away from them all. It was all over in the final furlong even as Delightful Lady made improved positions with Yash Narredu going all out. Bon Vivant, by then was well clear and in no danger whatsoever. Shaughnessy fought grimly and managed to edge out Presence for the third spot. It was Bon Vivant all the way though and the filly showed marked improvement over her debut and looks a top class prospect.

Solomon (Rebuttal – Dhahab, Sohna Stud) lived up to expectations and thrilled his supporters with a facile victory. Solomon too saw a drift in the odds from half money ante post to shade under even money at race time. He won handsomely without encountering any challenge.

Solomon jumped out smartly and was ahead in quick time to set up a comfortable lead and building on it right through. Joshua settled in second with Praelector. Spiderman and Fast Lady following close behind.

Once in the straight, it was easy pickings for Trevor and Solomon as they sailed further away. Joshua tried hard to catch up but made little impact on the winner. Praelector could not improve and was in futile chase. Solomon galloped on and won running away. Joshua finished second and her lay off was clearly her undoing. Spiderman disappointed as he failed to bring out anything worthwhile, ending up last of five. Solomon is surely on his way up and should land in class I picking up more races on his way.

Way Out (Exceed And Excel – Farrfesheena, Usha Stud) after that aberration at Pune found her winning touch and kept her unbeaten record intact at Mumbai. She was taking on mighty opponents in Dancing Phoenix and her last start conqueror Greek God among the six-horse field. In the end, she won toying with them and resurrecting her reputation of a high quality sprinter.

Way Out didn’t get the ideal of starts as she received a check early on and fell back to third after a smart jump. Dancing Phoenix led with Celsius close behind, Way Out moved past Celsius approaching the turn. Greek God found himself at the rear end of the field. Dancing Phoenix came into the straight with a slender lead with Way Out looming up on his outside. The pair battled hard until the distance post where upon Way Out exerted pressure on Dancing Phoenix. In the final furlong however, Way Out, ridden ably by Yash Narredu pressed on the gas to surge ahead and pull off a well fought victory. Greek God appeared when all was over to finish in close vicinity of the top two.

Adil Daji representatives also came to the fore and he too was the shining star of the day. He started off with Fire Engine (European – Sunlit Moon, Arabesque Stud) in the second race of the day. He underscored his staying prowess yet again winning the mile-and-quarter Rotary Club of Thane Northend Cup in a gripping finish, coming from a long way back to time his finish to perfection.

The General improved position early in the race to take charge in the backstretch. Honest Pleasure and Celtic King followed his with Fire Engine sticking to the rear. Yash Narredu handled his mount The General cleverly and gave him a breather too before unleashing his final run in the straight. The General had stolen a march early in the straight and it was all about sustaining until the very end.

Honest Pleasure and Celtic King were clearly accounted for, but Fire Engine was not done yet. He was taking a while to warm up and he did so coming into the final furlong. The General was at it going at full speed hoping for the winning post to arrive. Fire Engine started to wear down the lead and in the final 100 meters arrived full of steam to collar The General and surge ahead to carve out a narrow win. Even 2000 meters appeared a td sharp for Fire Engine who is built to relish longer distances. Over an even longer distance, Fire Engine’s ‘lots-left-in-the-tank’ finish implied that he would have won with a longer margin over another couple of furlongs. For The General, it was a useful run and he will live to fight another day. Fire Engine is owned by Shiven Surendranath and the same owner-trainer duo came up trumps in the day’s last race with Made to Measure.

Made to Measure (Multidimensional – Gardenia, Paramvir Stud) was a revelation. Even though he looked out of sorts in Pune, he was backed with conviction on his recent track work alone. He proved his connections right with a tall start-to-finish run and won with a measure of comfort alright.

Made to Measure took off at the start had built a good lead with Lucky Pineapple in chase. Seven Seas and Strawberry Crush were next with the field trailing them.

Once in the straight, jockey Sandesh urged Made to Measure and the gelding responded with a game gallop to stay off radar for his rivals. He looked the winner long way from home. Nirbahaya improved positions to end second while Strawberry Crush progressed to end in the money.

 Phoenix Tiger (Phoenix Tower – Tigress Noire, Manjri Stud) was installed the firm favourite to win the G2 Gold Cup on the sheer strength of his impressive work outs in the morning trials. He looked fit for the fray in the paddock and stirred up confidence for his supporters with his good looks. He translated his dominant appearance on to the track and scored an impressive victory on debut.

Calissa set a fast pace as she led the field with Aeolus Maximus and Red Wonder galloping close behind. Phoenix Tiger improved to fourth at the turn. Calissa galloped on in the straight and even increased the margin of lead past the 400. Aeolus Maximus fought on but could not sustain. Red Wonder was just beginning to warm up when jockey Colm O’Donoghue arrived with Phoenix Tiger roaring from the stand side. Calissa resisted as long as she could but she gave in when Phoenix Tiger got alongside. The Dallas Todywalla ward surged past to score a facile win. Red Wonder too ran a good race to beat Calissa for the runner up slot. Phoenix Tower looks a good type and with this impressive win promises to be a Class I material. Evidence disappointed and failed to raise any worthwhile gallop. She looked a bit underdone in the paddock too and would need time to get to her best.

Wilderness (Glory of Dancer – Zellers, Nanoli Stud) put her Pune debut behind and came back with a lot of zip to notch up her maiden win with a good stretch run. Padmakosa had threatened to pull off a surprise as she stretched her lead in the straight, but Wilderness with Zervan in the saddle countered her with a smooth finish to surge ahead in the final furlong and justified the wide support she garnered.

Wilderness was the prime favourite to win on her debut in Pune as well, but the Pune track conditions is never easy to tackle even for seasoned horses leave alone rookies. Wilderness had finished off the frame then, but she was a different proposition altogether on the Mahalaxmi track. She settled much better here and made her move just as the right juncture to gather momentum in the straight and pitch her final assault across the Grand Stands. She finished on with a fluent gallop and with this victory under her belt, she looks certain to add a couple more during the season.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and Adil Daji saddled a treble each while jockeys P Trevor and DK Ashish scored a double each.