Trainer CD Katrak may be recuperating post a stint in the hospital, however, his wards are charging with dazzling display on the turf. Shivalik Showers (Dancing Forever – Sun Shower, Hazara stud) fought a hard battle to down Tatiana in yet another close finish to clinch the RWITC Ltd Turf Championship (Gr 3) in a battle that lasted most of the long Mumbai homestretch. Going for it right from the start, which has now become his customary style, Shivalik Showers had to dig deep as Tatiana, his tormentor in their last showdown began to pose a serious threat. If that was not enough, Alaindair was beginning to look threatening as well, lurking just over a length further behind.

Jockey Sandesh was skillful and egged Shivalik on even as Tatiana put her nose ahead with a furlong to go. Alaindair failed to produce his best and to the shock and disappointment of his large number of supporters, went down tamely as he could not match up to either Shivalik Shower or Tatiana. The pair in front tussled long and hard and in the end, Sandesh managed to keep Shivalik Shower in front to clinch the issue on the post. Alaindair disappointed as he went down without a fight. The weight should not have mattered considering his class and the opposition he has seen in the past, however, it was just not his day and he failed to even raise a fight.

Shivalik Showers got to his third successive win for the season and fifth overall. He put up stiff resistance when challenged and even though Tatiana looked to reverse the result, Shivalik Shower should grit and courage to snatch back the slight advantage Tatiana had gained to put it across the filly closer home.

Melinda (Dancing Forever – Superlative, Hazara Stud) another of Katrak’s students, finally brought about a long pending victory after a series of runner-up slots. This time round Melinda gained a handy lead coming into the straight and smothered her rivals by scoring a facile victory by close to five lengths.  Sandesh it was who once again took no chances and drove Melinda to the front in the straight. He picked up momentum and Melinda galloped on resolutely to win without encountering any danger. Advance to Contact fought his way to second, while Tahrir arrived with a late bid to take the place money.

Zana (Multidimensional – Yana, Usha Stud) thundered from a long way back to collar the pretenders in front of the Grand Stands for another resolute victory. Zana was way off the front as Ancient Treasure led them into the straight. Zana made up ground rapidly and was bullish in her finish. Ancient Treasure had a sizable lead with a furlong to go, but the moment Zana came on the scene, it was curtains for Ancient Treasure and sundry. Zana flashed past and took charge to compile another runaway victory, her second on the trot and looking good for more. Ancient Treasure was unlucky to come across Zana as his good effort was made to look ordinary by Zana’s brilliance.

Congressional was listless and disappointed his followers with a lackluster run. Polydences hurried off into the lead and maintained a good pace all through. He entered the straight with a handy lead and at one stage it even looked like he could pull it off. Ice Zone, Rule Downunder and Congressional were all struggling to keep pace. Simply Sweet (Noverre – So Swing, Sohna Stud) slipped through the inner rails and started her march forward. She wore down Polydences and in a final assault blew them all away as she accelerated in a trice on passing Polydences and then shot away to win with a widening margin, booting home the low weight advantage she enjoyed.

Night of Stars (Sedgefield – Alsaabeqa, Jai Govind Stud) bettered her debut performance and with Trevor in the saddled brought about her maiden victory with an impressive finish. The Way I Am had the spotlight on him all the way as he entered the straight with a slender lead over hot favourite Bold Appeal, the latter inching closer with every stride. Approaching the distance post, Bold Appeal moved for the kill and got past the leader. No sooner had he taken charge, Night of Stars arrived with a big gallop and within split seconds zipped past the favorite and made her mark.

Old timer Ocean Star (Antonius Pius – Crystal Flite, Sohna Stud), all of eight years, showed age is just a number as he came with a belated run to down Sunshine Heart in a close finish. IN the final furlong, Sunshine Heart had taken charge and was fighting hard to stay ahead of Captain Abdon, Troppa Bella, Dazzling Dancer and Ice Gate. She succeeded in keeping all of them at bay and was shaping to pull it off and looked good to do so with only about a 100 to go. Ocean Star with J Chinoy in the saddle burst on to the scene with a fiery gallop and that put paid to the chances of the leading bunch. Ocean Star strode past them all and got Sunshine Heart a stride before it was too late.

Ukulele (Declaration of War – Ire, Lingwood Stud) had to pull out all reserves to clinch her first win and the fight went beyond the track to the stewards’ room. She started off with a flourish and led them all the way. In the final furlong, she encountered a stiff challenge from Iridescence. Sandesh atop the challenger switched course and tried to squeeze through a narrow gap between Ukulele and the inner rails. It was a dicey decision and Sandesh’s worst fears came true as Ukulele under apprentice SJ Sunil closed the gap causing Sandesh to check his mount. His objection was overruled on the ground that it was he who chose to alter his path and go for a ‘non-existent’ gap. The stewards dwelled on the matter for long before admitting it was a tough call and ruling it in the winner’s favor.

War Princess (Warrshan – Almara, Ruia Stud) from trainer Damodar Pillay’s yard found her touch and pulled off a sensational start to finish win, jockey Aniol Baandal doing his bit to ensure he stayed ahead when Blackbean posed her challenge. War Princess showed plenty of early speed as she took over the running on start and built a handy lead once in the straight. Blackbean took his time to raise strong gallop inside the final furlong, but War Princess had enough legs to carry on her good work and stay ahead at the wire to win the first race of the day.

For the professionals, trainer CD Katrak and jockey Sandesh combined to score a good double.