April signals the beginning of the end of the Mumbai season. However, this time there is something to look forward to with trials of night racing slated in a couple of week’s time. Saturday’s races saw a combination of fancied and some not-so-fancied horses scoring and the hottest favourite of the day El Camino was the biggest casualty, overwhelmed in the final moments by the late brilliance of Spades. Then there were doubles from jockeys A Sandesh and Dashrath Singh. However, La Femme Fleur achieved a creditable feat of notching up her fourth win this season. Her trainer, Vishal Geakwad was thrilled at her consistency and had reason to feel delighted.

“It’s a great feeling of satisfaction when one’s charge performs with consistency. I always felt La Femme Fleur would be my special one. Each time this filly has given me confidence and she has made the start of my career a fruitful one. A victory early in a career is vital and builds up confidence in any professional. I could not have asked for a better start to my new career. It is extremely competitive out there and La Femme Fleur has given me a good dose of reassurance and I am looking forward to making the most of a reasonably good start,” said Mr Vishal Geakwad after leading in La Femme Fleur who returned a facile winner in the Charon Trophy, the day’s opener.

La Femme Fleur (Ikhtyar – Dawalisha, Nanoli Stud) could not have it easier as she eased into the lead with apprentice lad Ajinkya notching up a commanding lead almost all the way. La Femme Fleur charged ahead once into the straight and Laurita who chased the winner all the way had nothing extra to offer, ending a tame second too far back to cause any anxiety to the winner’s followers. La Femme Fleur carried on and won with plenty in the saddle.

The Poonawallas too had a successful day with Dr Cyrus’s red silks dominating in two races with Phenomenal Memory and Spades, while Mr Zavaray Poonawalla led in Meraki the jockey donning his partner Dr MAM’s silks.

Meraki (Arazan – Saffron Dancer, Poona Stud) did extremely well on his debut. He was quick to hit the front and maintained a steady grip all through the race to win it warding off challenger Itscaro with a measure of comfort.  

Meraki jumped out well and shot into the lead soon on settling down. He dictated the terms firmly and entered into the straight with Jorell in chase and Itscaro slipping in through the rails. Meraki galloped fluently and was always in command. He galloped on resolutely leaving no chance for the others. Itscaro gained slightly and was closest to the leader, but he too failed to collar Meraki and ended close behind. Name of the Game ran on to take the third place thanks to an objection being upheld. Aurelio originally had finished third, however jockey Dashrath Singh had failed to curb his outward drift and he bumped into Sentosa Cove around the 200 m mark. Dk Ashish, the rider of Sentosa Cove lodged a successful objection resulting in Aurelio being relegated to fifth and Sentosa leveled up to be declared fourth.

Meraki had looked a trifle gross in the paddock but on the track he was simply spot on. He looks a good type and it would be interesting to see his progress.

Phenomenal Memory (Glory of Dancer – Phenomenal, Nanoli Stud) produced a scintillating gallop to hack his opponents with absolute ease. Phenomenal Memory dominated the race once he covered substantial ground to come around the corner and make his move. The Way I Am tried to offer some resistance, but made no impact on the free galloping spree that the Dalls Todywalla ward unleashed. Within strides of taking charge, Phenomenal Memory lunged forward with leaping strides and outpaced them all. He had looked a trifle off form earlier, but he put that all behind him and bounced back credibly. The Way I Am ended a faraway second, while She’s An Ace ran on to finish in the money.

Spades’ performance was a blinder. He was friendless in the ring as all the betting was hogged by El Camino. The favourite was up with the pace and on entering the homestretch, Trevor swung into action and got him to the front. El Camino built a handy lead and looked on course to victory at the distance post. However, a late blitz from Spades (Ace – Nora, Poonawalla Stud) saw him shock El Camino close home and that finish was truly electrifying.   

Capilano (Phoenix Tower – Ballybunnion, Manjri Stu) scooted off on start and worked up a good pace to win start to finish with ridiculous ease. It seemed an open race alright, with Pepe Senior at 4/1 as the first fancy. Pepe Senior was examined at the gates, but all seemed well as he entered the gates.

Capilano stole a march right from the beginning and was in complete control. Once in the straight, he gathered momentum and sped away from the rest. None from the bunch could match him. Hidden Asset was hard ridden to end second a fair distance away. Emperor of France edged out Remember Me for the third.

Jockey Dashrath Singh completed a double while guiding Bubbly Bellini (Phoenix Tower – Dancerllon, Manjri Stud) to a fighting win. Bubbly Bellini led the field home with the others snapping at her tail. Jupiter and Sea horse were coming at her. Bubbly Bellini started to drift out under pressure and Dashrath had a tough time steadying her. Fortunately her outward drift did not comprise her finishing thrust and Bubbly Bellini held on to win, finishing close to the stand side railing. Sea Horse nosed out Jupiter for the minor placing.

Jockey P Trevor had that rare off day as he failed to score. He went down narrowly in one of the most thrilling finishes on the day.   Zafira (Oath – Quiet Fancy, Pratap Stud) had led from the word go, and maintaining the trend of start to finish successes on the day, fought back from the brink to get the bob of the head precisely at the wire. His lead was challenged strongly when Rock the Turf came alongside with about a furlong to go. Trevor astride the challenger even headed Zafira briefly. Shrikant Kamble showed a lot of grit and fought back as the two hit the wire together. The judge called for a photo to decide in favour of Zafira who had the skin of her nostril touching the wire to beat Rock The Turf. Kickboxer ended a fair third. 

Ventura garnered maximum support in the four horse field on her last impressive victory. Authority was the only other one in the betting. Rank outsider Word of Honour led them all the way into the straight with Ventura and Authority following close behind. However, once into the straight, Authority picked up speed and sailed past Ventura. Word of honour put up some fight before Authority surged past to win convincingly. Ventura ended a poor third behind Word of Honour.