The RWITC and the IGCC Group played hosts to more than a thousand happy chirpy kids at the designated Marquee where options of games, skill activities, music, delicious food and beverages and universal favourite Santa dropping in from the skies kept the kids laughing and reveling on the third and final day of the IGCC Christmas Fest. One look at the jam-packed car park, which indeed is sprawling and one of the city’s largest spaces gave one the idea of the popularity of the RWITC-IGCC Christmas Fest has risen to over the years. Top officials and Organizational heads of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and their affiliated companies were seen beaming at the grand success of the mega event. The IGCC Fest which celebrated its’ 9^th year, has grown to become one of the biggest ‘must-dos’ of the city in Mumbai. At the racecourse, it is next only to the McDowell Indian Derby in terms of popularity and footfalls.

The Indo-German Christmas Fest Cup was a suspenseful affair as four of the five runners (Rodeo the exception) crowded up approaching the Grand Stands, sending the supporters of each horse roaring with anticipation. Janis Jay had a slight upper hand coming into the straight. Falcon arrived with a lively run to challenge the second in demand. Approaching the distance post, with the battle raging up, Mountbatten (Rock of Gibraltar – Sharatila, Sohna Stud) arrived with a spirited run. Caesars Star was also showing old form and getting into the thick of things as he inched his way closer to the fighting trio. Jockey P Trevor is in sublime form. He proved a perfect ally to the Shirke-owned Janardhan ward Mountbatten as he urged his mount into producing a scintillating burst of speed to stretch ahead in the final 100 meters. Janis Jay, Falcon and Caesars Star all ended up close behind.

SK Sunderji’s ward Jefferson (Ravel – Crystal Slipper, Chhatari Stud) owned and bred by the Nagpals, turned out looking the best in the paddock. For those with an eye for the paddock looks, one glance at Jefferson was enough to put their money on the on-money favourite despite the fact that he was making his debut.

Jefferson amply justified the faith of his strong supporters as he was quick on the jump and settled nicely at a good pace. Caribbean Legend then took over to lead the field homewards. Spring Loaded improved to run alongside Caribbean Legend and for a brief moment Jefferson was stuck behind these two as Q’E’D moved up on the outside, denying a free passage to Jefferson to switch lanes. However, Trevor can do no wrong the way he is riding currently, and he found his way soon enough to draw the gun and shoot ahead through the narrow gap created when Caribbean Legend fell back. A couple of cracks at eh 200 got Jefferson to surge forward and then it was all hands and heels. Jefferson won easing up and the late finishing Ireland, who was languishing in the rear for the major part of the race, managed to somewhat narrow down the margin, yet not less than 3 ¼ lengths. Jefferson can win again, while Ireland and Q’E’D should improve with this run.

The Big Bull (Razeen Forest Treasure, Usha Stud) owned jointly by   M/s Rakesh Jhunjhunwala & Jaydev Mody pushed out Royal Passion off the betting garnering strong support at race time. The 8/10 on favourite justified the heavy support and dismissed his two rivals with ease. Honest Pleasure led from the start with Royal Passion and The Bug Bull following him until into the straight. Honest Pleasure did well to prolong the inevitable and offered some resistance until the distance post. Royal Passion seems to have lost her sheen and went down tamely when The Big Bull arrived with a devastating run. Shroff-trained The Big Bull, arrived with Zervan in the saddle and simply tore away from the duo piling up a heavy 4 lengths plus victory.  

Trainer Pesi Shroff sent out another facile winner – Fibonacci Sequence (Ad Valorem - Lizzey Lette, Capricorn Stud) and the gelding lived up to his last start expectations to secure his maiden win. He had obviously stripped much fitter and seemed focused to the task. Jockey D.K.Ashish grabbed the advantage from the innermost draw and took trainer Janardhan’s ward to the front. Draco was close in second while the rest of the field was crowding up from the outside. Fibonacci Sequence led all the way into the straight and stretched out fluently without any serious challenge emerging from behind. Act of Valour from the rails and Saporelli from the outside rallied late to finish second and third respectively beating Draco to the fourth spot.

Trainer Janardhan and jockey D.K.Ashish combined to pull off a popular double with Lady Bird (Camacho-Lady Fabiola, Capricon Stud) in the Jungheinrich India Trophy. The grey filly was full of speed inside the last furlong while easily overhauling the horses in front. Ravello, Windcraft and Egyptiana raced in that order with Lady Bird held back in fifth position till the last two furlongs. When Ashish asked the filly for an effort she accelerated in fine fashion from the outside and galloped with a flourish to provide the silks of ‘Shirkes’ with a third win for the day. Ravello, Wind Craft and Capilano filled the judge’s frame in that order. Mountain Song was a non-starter in the race.

Hosidar Daji trained Hail The King (Mathematecian-Izwah, Ruia Stud) whose last win was over an year ago beat his thirteen opponents convincingly in a stunning upset in the Bayer Trophy. The 11-1 shot settled behind the leaders Dhanyavaad and Cyclops early and when asked to quicken inside the last 300 metres the 4 year old gelding moved forward menacingly and drew away by a good four lengths. Alectar and the race favourite Beyond Horizons rallied late to be second and third respectively in a close finish.

Nebulous (Iffraaj-Silk Suivante, Sohna Stud) from the stables of trainer M.K.Jadhav score her maiden win in the Hamburg Ambassador Cup, the opener of the day. Word of Honour set off on a start to finish bid and Nebulous tracked raced on its haunches till entering the final straight. Inside the last two furlongs Nebulous moved alongside the leader easily and after forging ahead stretched out easily to run away by nine lengths. Word of Honour held on to finish second from Ad Astra who was finishing on.

For the professionals trainers M.K.Jadhav and Janardhan scored a double each while jockeys P.Trevor and D.K.Ashish had their share of a brace each.