Dr MAM Ramaswamy’s Eternal Flame (Arazan – Yutai,Poona Stud) put in a blazing stretch-run to win the Forbers Breeders’ Juvenile Filles’ Championship (Gr3) with a clinical performance, justifying the cramped odds offered on her. Jockey A Sandesh was confident right from the start as he eased the S Ganapathy trained filly as she liked after the jump. Mount Rushmore showed the way to Sacred Fire and Bay of Secrets in close touch. Eternal Flame was a couple of lengths behind with Golden Belle and Ageless close behind her.

Mount Rushmore faded out after guiding them home and Sacred Fire darted ahead to take a slender lead. While Sacred Fire was being ridden out, Eternal Flame inched closer, jockey Sandesh not really pressing his filly too much. Eternal Flame looked the pick in the paddock too, and duly surged her way to the front on expected lines. Sandesh was composed and extracted only as much as necessary out of Eternal Flame and that was enough to see her through.

Ageless wandered about after the final turn and ended on the stand side, losing all her chances. Yet she did well to snatch the runner-up spot from Sacred Fire despite losing considerable ground in the homestretch due to veering out all the way. While Eternal Flame was impressive in her victory, Ageless was a gallant runner up as she covered a lot of ground to end close behind the winner.

The goldie-brown silks failed to achieve the grand double as hot favourite Oxford Opinion was uncontrollable right from the start. Sandesh was not coming to grips with Oxford Opinion’s erratic ways right from the start. He seems temperamental and was lugging in throughout the initial run to the homestretch. At the curve, the worst fears came true as Oxford Opinion drifted out considerably and lost all his chances.

Jefferson took control early in the race and led them into the straight. He kicked on gamely and maintained a handy lead past the distance post. Dallas Todywalla ward Mogadishu (Phoenix Tower – Leeward Passage, Manjri Stud) property of Mr & Mrs Shapoor Mistry, then came charging in and that run was timed to perfection. Jockey Keanen Steyn had to do his bit to ensure Mogadishu did not drift out of the fight as the dark bay had just started to do so. Steyn changed his whip hand deftly and corrected the course. Mogadishu produced a fiery finish to down Jefferson close home. Bullrun and Oxford Opinion ended too far behind. Desert God was withdrawn at the gates as the vet did not find his trot sound enough.

Another juvenile made a smashing debut and caught the eye and that was the Shroff-trained Maleficent (Iffraaj – Mufradat, Exhilaration Stud), owned by Mr Zavaray and Behroze Poonawalla.  Maleficent was not the quickest at the start and was way down the field for most part of the journey. It was Kind Deed who shot into the lead and kept the tempo going well into the straight. Red Bug who was close behind the leader, lost pace and dropped out. Itscaro improved to be second approaching the distance post, with Rain Dance also working her way up. Maleficent made her move with about 300 to go and came with a big run. She showed flashes of class as she started to devour ground steadily. With less than a furlong to go, Kind Deed was still enjoying the lead, the winning post not too far away. Maleficent stumbled at a crucial juncture, but the filly picked herself up and didn’t let that upset her rhythm. She came with a flourish and downed Kind Deed, who was shaping for a maiden win to snatch victory on debut in a thriller. Maleficent is filly with a future and would certainly improve much more in her next.

Le Femme Fleur (Ikhtyar – Dawalisha, Nanoli Stud) picked up her third successive victory and this one was the most convincing of them all. She took over the running right from the word go taking full advantage of the weight she received from her opponents. Trevor settled her beautifully, complementing the perfect condition that trainer Vishal Geakwad had La Femme Fleur in, and the Dhunjibhoy-owned mare accelerated remarkably well to sustain all the way home.

La Femme Fleur entered the straight comfortably ahead of the rest and galloped on strongly to draw away in the final stages. Laurita tried hard to catch up, but could not even narrow down the margin. Commander fought on a trifle bit, but to no avail. La Femme Fleur romped home to win stylishly, completely dismissing the opposition.

Narendra Lagad trained Snowing (Indian Haven – Cuix one, Pratap Stud) was steadily picking up form and her last few runs had been suggestive. She chose the day to come into her own and she too won start to finish. Favorite Ellipses did try to make a fight of it, but Dashrath Singh had it under control and kicked on to score by close to a length.

Shining Melody (Chevalier – Shes A Melody, Ruia Stud) lived up to the promise she had shown in her first outing and justified the favoritism she garnered. She took off briskly and soon led the field with Phoenix Fire, Bubbly Bellini and Saker close behind.

On entering the homestretch, Shining Melody galloped gamely and was out of reach of those in chase. Shining Melody, trained by SK Sunderji was ridden out hands and heels as she distanced herself from her rivals winning with a lot in hand. The fight was only for the runner-up berth and Phoenix Fire nosed out Bubbly Bellini by a short head. Saker ended a tame fourth.

Apache (Ad Valorem, Chateau Beach, Hazara Stud) finally came good and was well-backed too, in the last race of the day. Feast of Love led them into the straight and no sooner they entered the homestretch, Apache picked up speed, galloping resolutely to outpace the rest convincingly. Apache was lengths ahead in the final furlong to score a comprehensive maiden win. Melinda ran on to finish second ahead of Toofan, the latter coming from behind to take away the place money.

In My Life (Glory of Dancer – Our Royal Highness, Manju Meadows) rallied from way back to trounce the opposition with a crisp gallop to take charge midway in the straight. There was a late scare of sorts when Rocking made his bid, but by the time Rocking could come at his fastest, In My Life had galloped to the safety of the winning post. Chlobud had every opportunity to take the race as she had entered the straight with a good lead. She shaped up well in the first half of the stretch, but when challenged, she could not stand up to it.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a double, while jockey P Trevor continued his superb form riding home a fine treble.