Dr Vijay Mallya’s top notch mare oozed class and elegance as she stormed back to winning ways picking up the Eve Champion Trophy (Gr3) with minimum effort. Sitting in fourth well behind leader Shivalik Showers, The General and Tatiana, Amazing Grace progressed steadily past the 800m to be poised prominently at the turn.

Shivalik Showers easily shook off Tatiana who posed a game challenge soon on turning for home. Jockey Trevor produced Amazing Grace from the outside and the Pesi Shroff trained mare moved fluently to join the battling duo within strides. She surged ahead inside the final furlong without actually Trevor having to really step on it. Amazing Grace got past Shivalik Showers on cruise mode, adding to her tally of black type races with a commendable display. Shivalik Showers held on to the runner up berth, beating the rest of the lot convincingly.

Trevor yet again was the dazzling in the saddle for the second day running. He booted home four winners, including two chance mounts, where he substituted for the injured Sandesh. Trevor has blossomed into a very competent jockey, more workmen like than flashy. In the process he has become the darling of the masses, being cheered lustily each time he returned victorious.

The first ride for the day came his way when he was declared to ride Simona (originally Sandesh) in the second race. Trevor rode a neat race on Simona, as he hit the front and then gave the inexperienced filly a breather up the hill. This stood her in good stead in warding off the serious challenges, first from Savage Garden and then in the closing stages from the desperately fast finishing Jager Bomb. Simona (Multidimensional – Star Perfection, Usha Stud) won narrowly with Jager Bomb and Savage Garden breathing down her neck at the wire.

Fearless Nadia (Oath – X Factor, Pratap Stud) was another start-to-finish attempted that came off in a three-horse thriller. Hitting the front soon on start Fearless Nadia had enough gas left in the tank to keep Rigoletto at bay. It ought to be borne in mind that Fearless Nadia drifted out in the straight under the hard riding of Trevor and the final margin of victory could have been more emphatic if not for the drift. Neither Rigoletto nor Mogadishu looked like getting past Fearless Nadia at any stage.

Trevor once again rode a competent race astride Iridescence (Arch – Entendu, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) and guided the Karthik ward to her second victory on the trot this season. Iridescence made a forward surge soon on turning for home and got past Annie to take charge. Trevor kept her going and pulled away in the final 100 meters to land the spoils. Annie stuck by the winner until the last few strides before falling back slightly at the finish. Annie, who looked a rifle gross in the paddock, put up a good show and is one for the notebook.

The father-son duo, Malesh and Yash Narredu compiled a quick double through Jupiter and Staristocrat. Both lived up to their promise of their respective first runs this season winning their races with comparative ease.

Jupiter (Stern Opinion – Rah Wa, Lumbini Stud) started at nourishing odds due to the punters’ over estimation of Kandinsky who had had just one run, where he had just about managed to fill the frame. A tardy start made the task a lot more difficult for Kandinsky and she had to make steady progress to make up for it. Up in front, Neptune’s Ocean seemed in tearing hurry as he galloped away to a long lead before packing up at the turn. Jupiter and Top Bracket were racing together all the while, however, Jupiter went sailing clear soon on turning for home. Kandinsky moved up places and got past the rest with ease. By then, Jupiter had drawn away and established a commanding lead and all Kandinsky could do was bridge the gap and wait to fight another day. Jupiter won fluently with Yash doing his bit to ensure a maiden win.  Kandinsky should improve on this one and will be well worth following the next time out.

Staristocrat (Multidimensional – Only Royale, Usha Stud) lived up to the promise of his last run and this time came good with a solid start to finish essay. Capitalizing on his light weight handicap, Staristocrat galloped ahead from the start and won untroubled although Jack Frost made a late but strong bid, covering a lot of ground in the final furlong.  It may be mentioned that Jack Frost sweated up considerably during the paddock parade.

The shocker of the day was delivered by long-priced Romano (Tariq – Stunning Wonder, Equus Stud), schooled by B Prakash.  Jockey TS Jodha substituted for Kishore Kadam. Romano was taking on three fancied opponents in Solange, Remember The Time and Pearl Secret and was friendless in the ring.

Romano was kept within striking distance and took over the lead soon enough at the turn. He accelerated well and bounded forward in the straight piling on a handy lead. Pearl Secret was hard ridden but to no avail. Remember the Time was pushed to make his bid and for once Trevor found it hard to get past the leader. Romano held on to win with Remember the Time on his haunches at the winning post.

Mzuri (Placerville – Tammie’s Tune, Exhilaration Stud) scored an impressive win in the concluding race of the day. Matching strides with Allegiance at the turn, Mzuri worked her way to take charge approaching the distance post. Once he got past the gritty Allegiance, he held his own and drew away to score his second career win without encountering any challenge. The one who arrived with a promising finish was Dia, who did well to cover considerable ground and remarkably peg back Light of Arabia to snatch the third spot in a close finish also involving Secret Oath.

For the professionals, Trevor again hogged the limelight with four wins. Yash Narredu combined with Malesh Narredu and scored a well-fancied double.