Thrusday’s races saw many high level performances and three juveniles achieved their first success in the races restricted to maidens. However two other horses got to their first wins rather late in their careers. Success though is welcome at any stage. Summer Express got her first victory on her 17^th start and the victory must have been that much sweeter after several near-misses. Trainer Sanjay Kolse was beaming right through the day. “This was long due. She showed promise each time and shaped well too. However, she was just falling agonizingly short. She had put on condition of late and I was hoping she got it right this time. She showed the killer instinct today and I am so happy she won,” said the trainer. The other one to chalk her first win was Padmakosa. This was her eleventh attempt. Subhag Singh too was upbeat on the victory. “She took her time but she really is in great heart. It was a big field and she was drawn 15, so the apprehensions were there. Trevor however was right on the button and took a flying start. I was confident she would carry on all the way. It does feel good when things go as expected,” said Subhag.

The Director General of Police Trophy Div I & II were the feature events for the day. Dallas Todywalla ward Soul Speak (Art Connoisseur – Perilous Pursuit, Manjri Stud) was next in demand after the on-money favourite Apache who received overwhelming support and was tipped universally to win. However, it was Soul Speak who showed much greater resolve to pull it off from start to finish.

Soul Speak jumped out smartly and was quick to hit the front with Rapid Girl, Indus Prince, Apache and Flynn in close order and Act of Valour lurking a length away behind this bunch. Soul Speak quickened well soon on turning for home and build a handy lead within the first furlong of the homestretch. Apache moved to second but that’s all the progress he could make.  

Colm O’Donoghue had Soul Speak going briskly and was all by himself coming into the final furlong. Apache managed to bridge the gap laright, but never looked threatening at any stage. Soul Speak shut the opposition out pretty early and won easing up. Apache yet again found one better but with the a lot to go in the season, he should have his day before long.

The lower division of the race was claimed by Faisal Abbas trained Impressionist (Chevalier – Associate, Ruia Stud) who won in an emphatic manner. He was quick to settle close behind Ensign flanked by Captain Abdon and Sophia. Chlobud was next about a length in front of Samson who took a while settling down.

Ensign could not find much and faded out far too quickly. Impressionist surged forward and too charge soon on coming into the straight. He charged ahead with a spirited run and went clear of his rivals. Captain Abdon came at him at a good clip. Samson meanwhile, was seen improving and he got to the third past the distance post. Impressionist drifted out under pressure, causing some anxiety, but jockey Ashhad Asbar changed the whip hand to ensure Impressionist didn’t veer too far away. He kept the momentum going and kicked on to score a comfortable victory. Samson ran on to beat Captain Abdon for the second spot, clearly implying that he would perform better over an extended trip.

The Muffin Trophy was the added attraction with three of the nine runners garnering the entire market trends between them with debutante Toast of Bombay taking the lion’s share.

At the jump, Imperial Princess showed out and led the field with Sugar Bay and Spring Loaded close behind. Toast of Mumbai looked raw and seemed all at sea. She never recovered and enthuse no confidence of resurfacing to fight.

Sugar Bay (Admiralofthefleet – Sugarbird, Kunigal Stud) showed a lot of spark coming into the straight and bounded forward with Trevor on board. Trevor looked in command as he urged the filly to go clear past the distance post. Spring Loaded switched lanes and tried hard to set a good chase but Sugar Bay by then had amassed an impregnable lead. All he could do was end chasing the winner. Imperial Princess kicked on to take the place money, well ahead of Caribbean Legend. Favorite Toast of Bombay failed to make an impact and will need time to get into the groove.

Sugar Bay provided the thrust to jockey P Trevor who went on to score two more in the day, returning with a fine treble. He partnered Padmakosa (Mr Mellon – Cape Veticano, Ruia Stud) to a dominating victory in the very next race.

Padmakosa opened at 17/10 but one look in the paddock and her odds dwindled in quick time. She looked far superior to the others and even though the going was tougher with her draw being 15 and 17 horses in the fray, she received solid support in the betting.

Padmakosa blew away all the draw tensions if there were any by streaking into the lead in a hurry. She was in command from the word go, outpacing her rivals within no time and before they knew it, they were turning for home.

In the homestretch, Padmakosa galloped even more resolutely and Trevor pushed the big made mare eating up acres of ground with every stride. She sped away to win impressively and promised a couple more for the season. Via Amoris emerged from behind to end a good second ahead of Smart Raider.

Trevor displayed the never-say-die attitude to earn a hard fought victory atop Midnight Dancer (Hurricane Run – Change Tack, Bakhtawar Stud), overcoming a huge deficit to spoil the party for joint favourite Belgian Blue close home. Belgian Blue hit the front bolting out from the gates and galloped fluently. She looked good coming into the straight as she was moving nice on the bit whereas the others were evidently off t   bridle, Midnight Dancer included.

Belgian Blue shaped up promisingly and strode out to build on her lead. Midnight Dancer moved to second and set about in chase. Belgian Blue looked in complete charge even as she dashed past the distance post. However, she could not sustain that dominance and Trevor saw his chance. He rode all out urging and using the whalebone rhythmically and started to gain on the leader. In the last 100 meters, MidnightDancer covered a lot of ground to peg back Belgian Blue a stride or two from the winning post to score a sensational victory. Lorelei improved positions to end in the money.

Hormuz Antia trained Free Speech (Alnasr Alwasheek – Forever Elegance, Exhilaration Stud) and considering this was his first run after his debut win in Pune, he came off in flying colors.

Invincible darted into the lead and Free Speech quickly sat on his tail. Kazuri, Stormy Princess, Troppa Bella and Fast Lady formed a close huddle, not too far away.

Invincible entered the straight with a handy lead, but was soon accounted for by Free Speech. Jockey Ashhad Asbar was skillful in easing Free Speech into top speed midway in the straight. Kazuri simply could not quicken and was getting nowhere. Fast Lady arrived with a good burst of speed and even got along side Free Speech with a serious challenge. However, Free Speech had more left in her and she accelerated further to push for the winning post and post her first victory at Mumbai as well.

Narendra Lagad’s Beau Royale (New Famous – Striking Beauty, Yerwada Stud) was perhaps the most fashionable winner on the day. He was alert at the start and shot straight into the lead. On entering the straight , he galloped gracefully with jockey Darren Williams doing just enough to guide him through. Beau Royale didn’t need to put in much efforts she cruised further away to post a very impressive victory. Alderley Edge fought his way through to snatch the runner up berth well ahead of Queen of Venus who pegged back There She Goes for the third spot.

Summer Express (Home Affairs – Beldon Hill, Mebajeona Stud) finally tasted first success and she earned it in a brave fight. She was always up in front, galloping along the rails and when they turned for home, Summer Express was stuck on the rails. Magic Vision soon strode out to the front and was challenged by Flash Drive. As the pair was fighting for the upper hand, Summer Express found a narrow opening along the rails. Her persistence paid off as jockey Sandesh got her going. Summer Express lunged forward and finished powerfully to strike it rich in the final few meters. Flash Drive ran well too, but found one better. Blend of Elegance ran on to peg back Magic Vision for the third place.

Nribhaya (Mull of Kintyre – Classical Elegance, Sohna Stud) romped home in a fine start to finish bid. She jumped out and soon darted to the front, galloping at a good clip. ON entering the straight, Nirbhaya continued her good work relentlessly and stayed well ahead of the rest to romp home under the minute. Joleene was hard pressed take the runner up slot, while Ceasarina wrested the place slot from Artiste.

For the professionals, trainers Dallas Todywalla and Mansoor Shah saddled a double each. Jockey P Trevor performing exceptionally well, kept his stranglehold firmly on the championship, scoring a fine treble, while Ashhad Asbar chipped in with a double.