Top Commander (Rebuttal – Ridawana, Hazara Stud) finally kept his date with a long pending win to clinch the Mayor’s Trophy. However, he made heavy weather of what was taken to be an easy victory.

Quest For Love was at the helm for most of the journey and galloped on for longer than most expected. He entered the homestretch with a handy lead and would have been forgiven to have assumed that Top Commander would zip past and go away; more so after second favourite Shining Path looked beat early in the straight. However, this was not to be as Quest For Love had other ideas. Jockey Hanumant Singh was focused in urging his mount on and on. Top Commander moved to second and set about in chase of the leader. With less than a furlong to go, Quest For Love was still in command sending the supporters of Top Commander in a tizzy. However, jockey Bhawani Singh rode his heart out and managed to collar the leader in front of the stands to prevail by half length.

Jockey P Trevor was seen at his best riding home four winners during the day. The lanky lad has risen levels up and currently is among the elite club among jockeys. On Thursday he rode with aplomb to see two favourites and two high priced horses home. Trevor only missed out on Tinogona, the last of his five engagements for the day!

Trevor began with partnering Imtiaz Sait’s Dixie Delight (Sedgefield – Dixie Dahlin, Jai Gobind Stud) over 2400 meters against three rivals. It was a slow run race as last start winner Danse Debonaire set off on a easy pace with favourite Double Or Quits in second. Dixie Delight settled in third with Yodha Shakti trudging in the rear.

Trevor played the waiting game as the slow pace did his chances no harm and made his move quickly once they turned for home.  Double Or Quits was almost caught napping when Dixie Delight shot ahead soon on straightening up for home. Danse Debonaire offered brief resistance and stuck alongside Dixie Delight, but he was clearly fighting a losing battle. In the final furlong, Dixie Delight, who was long due for a victory, surged ahead to win with ease. Danse Debonaire held on to second while Double or Quits ended a humble third.

Trevor then guided trainer SN Joshi’s Flanker (Burden of Proof – Track Charm, Kunigal Stud) to an authoritative victory, causing no anxiety to large number of the backers of the on money favourite. Trevor kept Flanker close on the heels of leaders Gold Bag and Bella Traviata and pounced on the leaders midway in the homestretch. Once he rose to the front, Trevor had Flanker going at a fast clip and Flanker was no match to his fiery gallop. He raced away to post an impressive victory with a widening margin. Gold Bag, for a first run, did well to finish runner up clear of Alderley Edge who finished on fast to pip Bella Traviata for place money.

Chase The Ace (Roi Maudit – Casual Look, Hargobind Stud) was a revelation. The SK Sunderji ward showed vast improvement over his earlier runs and carved out a smashing victory while scoring his maiden win on his eighth start. Trevor surely trumped the big field of 20 at the start itself ranging smoothly from draw 19 to cruise into the lead ahead of Yardstick and Ice Gate. Once in the lead, Chase The Ace made them all chase him as he built a huge lead and came into the straight well clear of the rest. His led was so massive and with the kind of acceleration Chase The Ace generated, it was clear that no one would catch up. Trevor eased his mount as early as hundred meters from home and that allowed Pretty Hot and Tempest to narrow down the margin. Chase the Ace showed immense speed and can provide an encore.

One Kept Secret (Black Cash – Bonjour Tristesse, Equus Stud) was backed down heavily at race time and he obliged with a scintillating burst of speed in the homestretch to pile on a heavy margin victory over his rivals to win the Class II Sir Charles Forbes Trophy.

In The Limelight led the field with One Kept Secret, Ultrasonic and Caruso close behind coming into the straight. Trevor produced One Kept Secret to challenge In The Limelight past the 400 and he sailed into the led without encountering any resistance. Once ahead, Trevor had the Sunderji ward propelling forward and soon consolidated his lead with fine acceleration. He looked the winner past the distance post and was never in any danger. Caruso improved well to end chasing the winner. In The Limelight showed good resolve and held on to end in place money. Ultrasonic had her chances and was prominent in the straight, but failed to quicken. Providence was the one to finish on fast, but he was never in the hunt, languishing in the rear of the huge field. He made a lot of ground though to finish an eye-catching fourth.

Trainer Narendra Lagad sent out a double after his favourite Word of Honour failed to oblige in the day’s first race. Word of Honour tried really hard to get past and smother the start to finish attempt that Leontine was essaying. Leontine (Ace – Frost Queen, Poona Stud) galloped on and on to return a surprise winner. Jockey Kishore Kadam labored on to stay in front as the pressure mounted once they were in the homestretch. Leontine had a dual assault to quell as Word of Honour and Plated were breathing down his neck and they were getting closer with each stride. To Leontine’s credit, she held the pair at bay showing immense fighting qualities and brave resistance right through. Although the timing was slow, Leontine returned a battle-scarred winner just about out-lasting her rivals in a commendable fashion.

Naren had his revenge soon after with Millenium Falcon (Ace- Rave, Poonawalla Stud) dishing out a start-to-finish beating to hot favourite Ocean Dream. Jockey Darren Williams hit the front soon on start and had Millenium Falcon going at a good pace.

Once in the straight, Millenium Falcon quickened further to increase his lead early on. Flynn tried to bridge the gap and started inching closer. Flynn drifted under pressure and that proved crucial. Ocean Dream, who was close behind failed to rise to the challenge and pertered out of contention. Derren had to put all his forces to use to ward off the threat posed by Flynn. He managed to finally spare a narrow half length verdict to score a well fought victory. Flynn will live to fight another day. Ocean Dream has failed to oblige on many occasions now and is best left alone.

Naren’s double blossomed with Double Diamond (Warrshan – Leit Motif, Ruia Stud) pulling off an impressive victory without encountering any challenge. He led ll the way home and then stretched further away to make it a no contest. Snow King and Golden Glory ran on to finish in the money.

Dreamz Unlimited (Phoenix Tower – Armetta, Samra Stud) scored an encore, winning again after his last start victory at Pune. Darren did well to get Dreamz Unlimited up in front alongside Earth Tamer with the big field huddled close together.

Darren took off with Dreamz Unlimited soon on straightening up and played catch me if you can with the rest. While the others jostled and tried to outdo one another, Darren had Dreamz Unlimited going at a good clip to steer clear of the fighting bunch. In the end, he won with ease although the verdict showed just one length. Adams Spirit put in a forceful run to snatch the second spot from Phelps and Tinogona.

For the professionals, trainers Narendra Lagad and SK Sunderji saddled a double each, while jockey P Trevor was the pick of the day with four winners. Jockey Darren Williams chipped in with a double.