If you had an eye for the paddock looks, Thursday’s races would have proved to have been profitable. Most of the winners, particularly the favourites, stood out in the paddock, exhibiting their haughty gait. Trance, Simply Sweet, Aquamarine, Logano and even the non-favourite Mount Rushmore gave ample signs for one to pick and encash.

Trance who certainly has not justified her talent and her connections’ expectations, finally came good with a sizzling turn of foot that left her Class I rivals stranded once she put on her show. Trance (Phoenix Tower – Gobelin, Manjri Stud) sat back in the rear until well into the straight and they came with a rattle to leave the field stranded and win drawing away.

Myla Rose shot her bolt past the distance post and Moon Shadow was toiling to shake off Mint Approach entering the final furlong. Papakura got stuck for room and was shifted out thereby losing crucial ground. However, the way Trance with Dashrath Singh astride stormed-in from the rear, there was no stopping their progress. Trance shot ahead like a bullet and in split seconds had left her rivals panting, to bag the Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy in style. Papakura did well to beat the rest.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait scored another runaway winner with Simply Sweet (Noverre – So Swing, Sohna Stud) in the very next race. Simply Sweet settled in fourth not too far behind from Rubens, Stiletto and Fribourg, with Legend of the Seas on her inside.

Rubens gave up soon on straightening up and before Fribourg or anyone else could move a muscle, Simply Sweet darted to the front and it was all over. Nature Boy progressed to second, but that was all that he could muster. Simply Sweet, although on a tight rein, broke away from them to pile on heavy margin victory, surging ahead and away in the final 100 meters to notch up her second successive victory with even better display and turn of foot. In this devastating form, Simply Sweet is well on her way to a hat-trick.

Aquamarine (Mastercraftsman – Pilgrim’s Way, Nanoli Stud) after showing out in her maiden win at Pune, romped home to another fashionable victory over the mile-and-quarter trip, without as much as dropping sweat. She settled quickly close behind the front running Savage Beauty and moved to second at the turn.

Into the straight, Savage Beauty kicked on for a brief while and when Aquamarine arrived, she just surrendered the lead feebly. Aquamarine devoured ground at a brisk rate and finished on with a lot left in tank. She simply outclassed the entire lot and won sparing well over five lengths clocking an impressive 2:02:50 without exactly going full throttle. She looked fresh at the finish while the others laboured on to take the minor slots. Aquamarine showed glimpses of class and looks a candidate for the Indian Oaks. With astute trainer Pesi Shroff her mentor, she can be expected to rest well and tuned for the bigger classic.

Mount Rushmore (Amadeus Wolf – So Admirable, Nanoli Stud) was well supported on her debut run, but was neglected in the betting despite the benefit of the run. Freely available at fives, Mount Rushmore returned rich dividends to her fewer backers this time.

Serene jumped out smartly to lead the field with Spirited Touch and Mount Rushmore in close attendance, the rest of the field not too far away.

On entering the homestretch, Mount Rushmore went smoothly to the front past Serene and soon Sandesh worked up a handy lead. Favourite Mogadishu never looked prominent all through the race. Mount Rushmore came into the final furlong still enjoying a useful lead when Night of Stars started to warm up. She started to accelerate in the final 100, but Sandesh’s strong handling and the cushion of the lead he had, going for the finish, held him in good stead and he just about managed to nose the wire a split-second ahead of Night of Stars.

Victoria Harbour (Phoenix Tower – Alcmene, Manjri Stud) made an impressive debut winning with a good measure of comfort. Quick at the gates, Victoria Harbour set off at a nippy pace with jockey Colm O’Donoghue well in command. Once in the straight, he shook off Kyoto who was travelling alongside and galloped ahead.  Victoria Harbour responded with a crisp run and soon sailed well ahead of the rest. Bay of Secrets improved well towards the finish to pip Kyoto for the runner-up berth. While Dallas Todywalla ward Victoria Harbour won running away, Bay of Secrets, who ran a bit green, would be worth watching in his next outing.

Owner Haresh Mehta combined with trainer Mansoor Shah and jockey Dashrath Singh to pull off a popular double with Wish Upon a Star and Logano, both having it easy.

Wish upon a Star (Noverre – Noble Excellency, Sohna Stud) was huddled in the mid bunch with El Wonder at the helm. On turning for home, Burgundy Rose struck first to get to the front and was galloping well to get past the front runners. At the distance post, she was about a length ahead when Wish Upon a Star started to wear her down. Jockey Dashrath Singh arrived confidently driving Wish Upon a Start past Burgundy Rose and pile on an emphatic victory by close to three lengths.

Logano (Ontario – Victoria Cannon, Sohna Stud) won her race with an even larger margin and looked the winner long way from home. Anabeth guided the field into the straight and retired. Good Memory and Logano whizzed past the leader and soon Logano started to dominate. She quickened in an instant and went clear approaching the distance post. The well-backed second in demand Rock the Turf had no chance to counter the favourite’s sizzle and he ended a tame third, behind Good Memory.

Supertramp (Hurricane Run – Wild Winner, Manjri Stud) brought up his maiden win with a clean effort in the hands of jockey YS Srinath. Sitting close behind leader Without Fear, Supertramp surged smoothly into the lead past the 300. Once in front, Srinath had no trouble escorting the Narredu ward to a comfortable victory. Maalik ended chasing the winner while Ocean Star finished with the money.

For the professionals, trainers Imtiaz Sait, Mansoor Shah and Malesh Narredu saddled a double each. Jockey Dashrath Singh scored a fine treble and jockey A Sandesh scored a double.