Star sprinter Solomon (Rebuttal – Dhahab, Hazara Stud) owned by Dr Vijay Mallya representing United Racing & Bloodstock Breeders Ltd showed blazing speed right from the start to lead all the way home. What lends more credence to his performance was the ease with which he outpaced some speedy rivals from the word go, leaving them struggling to keep pace even with him not exactly going full throttle.

Its been long since Celsius has not been able to hit the front. He tried to this time as well, but Solomon quickly got past him and dictated the terms after the jump. Jockey DK Ashish looked very confident as Solomon led the field of eight into the straight. He was calm and composed as he steadily quickened and stretched away with his majestic strides giving no hope to any contender. Solomon progressed fluently to achieve a commendable three-in-a-row this season each one of those victories coming without him being extended. With a show of this nature, Solomon surely is made for the big league and comes about as a tough candidate for the Sprinters’ Cup in the Invitation Weekend.

Goldilocks (Alnasr Alwasheek – Haunting Memories, Exhilaration Stud) won in a most dramatic fashion. Firstly the odds on Goldilocks drifted alarmingly and spiraled close to 2/1 from on money ante post.  On the track, Goldilocks seemed all at sea initially and Zervan was even seen giving her a crack to focus on the race.

Goldilocks was way behind trailing when Alderley Edge and Rapid Girl entered the straight. Miss Senorita also propped her head in between the two and tried to make a race of it. Earl Grey then should a wee bit sparkle as she got alongside the trio.  There was a tight scramble with these four tussling when Goldilocks unleashed a sizzling finish. She devoured ground briskly and to everyone’s amazement, she zipped past them all to streak ahead winning with an impressive margin. This was one of the most electrifying victories in recent times. Even inside the final two furlongs, Goldilocks’ staunchest supporter would have given up. She thrilled her backers almost as if coming from the dead.

However, one can’t yet get carried away with Goldilocks’ performance. The timing of over 1:13 is certainly not the best and that does not speak too well of the other runners. Either they were slowing down in the final furlong, or Goldilocks is any special talent can only be determined when she starts the next time. However, there is no denying her brilliance on the manner of her victory.

Spirited Touch (Ace –Fair Tactics, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) came good as expected and singed the turf with a sizzling run in the straight. It was Aeolus Maximus and Ireland who brought the field into the straight with Aliboxer trying to squeeze past between them. By the time the leaders  got going, Spirited Touch with CS Jodha in the saddle arrived with a scorching run and sailed past leaving them shell shocked. Spirited Touch drew away within a couple of strides and scored a very fashionable victory. She had been turned out well and her victory was overdue.   

Gold Bag (Sedgefield – Blue Jay, Jai Govind Stud) was another won who earned his maiden winner’s bracket with a solid performance. Gold Bag settled nice n quick and was in striking third spot keeping pace with the front running Indus Prince and Soul Speak. Favorite Hoshiyaar raced too far back in the early half while second in demand Belgian Blue was making progress past the 800.

In the homestretch, Soul Speak had a handy lead and Indus Prince was not getting anywhere. Gold bag struck past the distance post and after a very brief tussle left Soul Speak behind to win it with a measure of comfort.

Zervan rode La Femme Fleur (Ikhtyar – Dawalisha, Nanoli Stud) with supreme confidence and those watching were fairly bewildered. On a start-to-finish mission over the mile trip, all seemed to be going as per the book. Le Femme Fleur was up in front, with Quest For Love and legend of the Seas following her, Helping Hand settling back in fifth.

On turning for home, Le Femme Fleur was travelling very comfortably and Zervan let her do her own thing. She ambled on at her easy pace even approaching the distance post. Helping Hand was hanging in under pressure and although she moved to second, she didn’t seem a threat at all.  La Femme Fleur kicked on at her own leisure and won convincingly. Vixen came from a long way back to finish an eye-catching second, pip-ping Helping Hand on the post.

La Traviata (Chatham Strait – Star Liner, Ruia Stud) dished out an overwhelming performance and won running away. She was right up as Alectar brought the field homewards. La Traviata with Yash Narredu in the saddle, hurried off into the lead. Alectar tried to resist but was no match. La Traviata picked up speed and shot far and away from the hapless lot, posting a victory with a widening margin. Flash Drive and The Other Song improved from behind to take the minor slots.

TS Jodha pulled off a fine victory with top weight Rashun (Ajaad – Dancing Huntress, Track Supreme Stud) at lucrative odds. Rashun swung into action soon on turning for home and sailed to build a handy lead. Cold Play made a serious bid to take a crack at the race and arrived with a strong gallop. He could only get to the haunches of Rashun for a brief while, as in the last 100 meters, Rashun appeared to be toying with his challenger and won with something in hand.

Good Memory (Oath – So Ravishing, Pratap Stud) opened the day’s proceedings with a facile win, living up to his last start promise. He took off soon on entering the straight and raised a good gallop to pile up a handy lead approaching the distance post. Neither Mighty Splendour nor Mahima could contain his domination. Good Memory sailed ahead to win comfortably with Mighty Splendour managing to cut the size of his lead at the wire. Mahima ran on to pick up place money.

 Penny Lane (Multidimensional – Peninsula, Usha Stud) did not show any sign of rustiness and displayed good spirit by returning to winning ways. YS Srinath had to weave his way though horses and did not get the clearest of runs. Glorious Reward slipped through the rails and worked his way past the leaders and looked on course to pull it off. However, Penny Lane found the gap between horses and once free, he charged ahead to peg back Glorious Crown to score a narrow, but convincing win. Savannah Sound fought on to wrest the third spot from Beyond Horizons.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff scored a double, but in his absence his asst Mr Vishal Gaikwad saddled the double. Jockey S Zervan was the lone jockey to record a double.