Dr Cyrus Poonawalla’s famous silks came to the fore second day running with another grand double for the business tycoon on Sunday. While the Red silks garnered glory with Phenomenal Memory and Spades on Saturday, this time Polished Chrome and Ace Fantasy kept the momentum going, winning back to back races.  

Polished Chrome (Arzaan – Miss Danehil, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) literally put in a polished performance to win the Bahrain Trophy handsomely. Polished Chrome eased into a fine rhythm right from the outset and dictated the terms soon on settling down. On entering the straight, Polished Chrome quickened nicely to draw away from Calissa. Favorite Gabriella blundered by drifting uncontrollable all the way to the outer railings. There was no chance she could make any recovery as Polished Chrome dominated the entire homestretch to post an emphatic victory. Calissa gained from Gabriella’s flaw and snatched the second spot which may not have been possible had Gabriella not lost her chances going wide.

In the very next race, Ace Fantasy (Ace – Forest Fantasy, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) scored over the 2000m race showing tremendous grit and determination.  He rolled out on a good start and took over the running in his customary style, but soon had Al Shamsheer taking over the lead all the way to the homestretch, Ace Fantasy following the leader until they straightened for home.  Al Shamsheer shot the bolt soon as Ace Fantasy assumed charge. He kicked on gamely and held his ground too when challenged by Grenadine approaching the distance post. Ellipsis put up no show and was never in contention. Ace Fantasy fought back brilliantly to thwart the challenger and notch up his second successive victory. Sadly, the joy of victory was short lived as the brave horse collapsed in the paddock following a cardiac arrest. In a thoughtful gesture, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla chose not to have the trophy presentation, obviously hurt with the loss of Ace Fantasy.

Trainer Malesh Narredu saddled a lucrative double, picking up the last two races of the day. Lesser fancied Speed King (Ace – Zarandja, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) lifted his game and posted a facile victory with a fair measure of comfort. It didn’t look as easy for Speed King as Quest for Love and Ramesses held the lead jointly on entering the straight. Cha Cha Cha was next along with Centaurus. Speed King arrived with a nippy burst of speed and sped away to built a commanding lead within strides. The rest were left to catch up. Apprentice Ajinkya kept it going nicely and even a late effort from An Jolie was not enough to cause any dent to Speed King’s reign. Speed King galloped all the way to post a comfortable win. An Jolie ran a good second ahead of helping Hand.

Soothsayer (Ace – Evitina, Exhilaration Stud) made considerable ground in the final furlong to put it across El Wonder in the closing stages. El Wonder had led right through from the start and was still going well on turning for home. Invincible, who was a prominent second all the while, failed to quicken. As Good As Gold was showing some spark and looked well in contention. Out of nowhere Soothsayer with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle cropped on the scene with a blistering gallop to collar El Wonder in the nick of time. As Good As Gold too managed a good surge ahead to peg back El Wonder, but not good enough to deny Soothsayer the victory.

Malesh Narredu however was unlucky as he saw his debutante Velvet Amari wins the race on the track and then losing it in the stewards’ room. All looked good as they entered the straight with Velvet Amari prominently poised to strike. She took to the lead as well and just when she was supposed to do the full Monty, Velvet Amari started to drift out alarmingly. Trevor, despite his efforts failed to keep her on even keel and hampered the running of Continental (Rip Van Winkle – Samsa, Manjri Stud). Velvet Amari won well but for that blemish which was fatal. As expected jockey DK Ashish lodged an objection against Trevor and the stewards saw merit in it and ruled to uphold the objection and awarded the race to Continental. Shadow Fax did well to finish third.

Hot favourite The Unicorn (Veglas – Fourpenny Lane, Sohna Stud) scored a dramatic win with a sensational bid to storm home from a long way back. Toofan had stolen a march coming into the homestretch and even looked good to carry on with a furlong to go. Replica warmed up nicely to gain ground and there was still no sign of The Unicorn. But just when it looked the favourite was going to fall, The Unicorn picked up speed and flashed on the scene to the joy of his large supporters. He arrived just in time to blast the fighting duo and score a dramatic win, as though playing for the galleries.

Hot Pepper (Whywhywhy – Dixie Dahlin, Jai Govind Stud) came with a long stretch run to win the first race of the afternoon with TS jodha in the saddle. He moved from the fifth spot as Starriano surrendered his lead to Savage Garden with 400 to go. Savage Garden took charge readily and surged ahead to a handy lead. Wind And Rain was digging deep, yet not finding much. Hot Pepper warmed up nicely and arrived with a spicy run to overwhelm Savage Garner in the final furlong and run away to post a convincing victory.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and Malesh Narredu saddled a double each.