The pre-Derby race day saw a mixed trend of favourites and horses with longer odds share the honours. Mr Shapoor Mistry’s Phoenix Tiger and Airco sizzled to win their respective races impressively and both were popular fancies, backed confidently in the ring. Then And Now was the bolt from the blue that saw a sharp fall in the number of Super jackpot hunters and a lone punter cracked the tricky pool. The Jackpot pool was shared between two.

Dallas Todywalla trained Phoenix Tiger (Phoenix Tower – Tigresse Noire, Manjri Stud)ridden by Zervan, picked up his fourth win from five starts and showed peak fitness on his first run since his Bangalore Triumph in June. He was off to a quick start and led the field all the way into the straight and then marched on to score handsomely. Simply Sweet did try and challenge the favourite in the homestretch, however, Phoenix Tiger found his touch and thwarted the challenger’s bid with a sustained gallop to draw away and win easing up in the final few strides.

Imtiaz Sait ward Airco (Arabian Gulf – Sandslash, Manjri Stud) had an even easier win. He shrugged off his last start loss and bounced back handsomely this time to tear away from the field at the business end to notch up his second success from three starts. Airco had caught the eye on his debut win and then didn’t quite measure up in the SA Poonawalla. The three-year-old looked far superior to the Class III bunch and accelerated supremely to collar the front runners early in the straight. Alderley Edge shook off Pappillon at the turn to assume sole command. Soon Toofan arrived with a good run only to see Airco storm past approaching the distance post. It was all over the moment jockey Suraj Narredu got Airco going and Airco simply zipped ahead effortlessly to score an emphatic win.

The FA & KA Irani Trophy over the scurry saw a keen tussle to provide a thrilling finish with all he seven runners clustered within five lengths. Ravello set off to lead them into the straight and soon had Deep Diver just getting past him. Valentino, Tap Dance and Gangnam Style were crowding in closer to the pair in front, while Another Conquest made his bid from the wider outside. Young Bhawani Singh managed to squeeze through a narrow opening to launch an all out attack. Gangnam Style, from AM Jadhav’s yard, responded with an electrifying finish and surged ahead in the final 1000 meters to carve out a narrow win. Deep Diver ended a good second with Another Conquest and Valentino finishing alongside.

Narendra Lagad’s Snowing (Indian Haven – Cuix One, Pratap Stud) reaped rich rewards and capitalized on her current form to snatch another victory, her third this season. Naren too has been in terrific form of late and looks set to bag the trainers’ championship this year too.

The Unicorn essayed start to finish tactics and galloped to a runaway lead from the start. At the half way stage he had a bank of over eight lengths with Remembrance of You in second, Helping Hand, Westphalia and Snowing a further couple of lengths behind, with Grenadine at the tail end.

Once they turned for home, The Unicorn held sway kicking on gamely, with neither Helping Hand nor Westphalia making any impression. Snowing appeared on the scene past the distance post and the duo was engaged in a long battle. Trevor can’t do much wrong in his current winning wave and he added his magic touch to get the maximum out of Snowing and hey managed to pip The Unicorn in the last couple of strides.

Forever Yours (Arazan – Forever Young, Poonawalla Stud) made ample amends to oblige her large number of followers with a clinical start to finish victory. She entered the straight on a tight rein and jockey DK Ashish had little to do but guide the Imtiaz Sait filly homewards. Forever Yours bounded forward and there was none in the rank who could even offer a fight. She won fluently and looked the winner at the turn. Paramour came from behind and chased the winner home. Allee Bleue picked up place money and more importantly a few lessons and looked much better than she did in Mumbai.

Trainer Faisal Abbas picked up the first and last races of the day to earn a nourishing double. His four year old gelding Awesome Knight (Chevalier – Starry, Ruia Stud) provided an encore and this time he was even more impressive. He was in charge coming into the straight and he galloped resolutely to keep the competition at bay. His was the most facile victory on the day the margin too, was the longest – six lengths. Jockey CS Jodha got the proverbial armchair ride and Awesome Knight romped home to a very easy win. Sanam picked up the second spot ahead of Loveable Locks and Sofia.

Faisal’s Jeannine (Rebuttal – Ridawana, Hazara Stud), in the able hands of Trevor, wove her way through horses to emerge from the mid-bunch and score a stylish victory. Speed of Sound disappointed as she failed to quicken on entering the straight.

Jeannine wriggled free soon on entering the straight and then produced a power-packed run to sail clear in the final furlong. Multinational tried to build something of a challenge but simply could not match up. Jeannine won comfortably in the end. Indus Prince finished on with a flashy run and certainly is one to note. Daishonin too was forward at the finish.

Shivalik Story might have desired a happier ending, however, the script changed in the last furlong when Undisputed (Varenar – Gold Bar, Equus Stud) lit up to spoil her party. Shivalik Story led them into the straight and was kicking on well. Shades of Glory squandered a real opportunity as she shifted out under pressure and lost all her chances. Undisputed accelerated well and arrived with a brisk finish, enough to get past Shivalik Story and prevail by exactly one length. Champagne was the one who would have benefitted most with the run. She came with a nippy finish to end in the money, more importantly, this run would have sharpened her and it will be interesting how she shapes up in Mumbai, if she is packed off for the season.

Jeena (Chevalier – Saytara, Pratap Stud) trained by Nirad Karanjawalla proved sweet reward for owner Peter Dubet who works relentlessly for the IGCC fests both at Mumbai and Pune. This victory, particularly on the day of his big event – The Oktoberfest – weekend, couldn’t not have given him greater joy.

Spanish Saga led all the way and entered the straight with a handy lead too. Jeena was closely tracking the leader and once in the straight made her move at the right juncture. She did take a bit to get into a rhythm and once she did, she was a lot more assured. It was not all smooth sailing though as a bunch of horses were far too close for comfort, but Jeena reached in time to save last minute blushes. Arsenal slipped in through the rails and was hampered by lack of room. She ended an eye-catching second. Dia did not quiet grab her chance and although she was in striking distance, she failed narrowly yet again.

Trainer Hormuz Antia’s The And Now (Chevalier – Lii Najma, Sohna Stud) was the stunner of the day at 40/1 her victory was a shocker. She was off to a quick start and young apprentice N Nadeem took full advantage of the bottom weight and galloped on regardless of what was happening behind. Then And Now maintained a handy lead in the straight and with Nadeem urging the filly on, Then And Now held on comfortably to win by two lengths. Seven Seas finished on well to beat the rest, while Magic In the Air who shared the betting trends with Jacknife could muster only enough to save place money. Jacknife made no impact whatsoever.

For the professionals, trainers Imtiaz Sait and Faisal Abbas saddled a double each, while jockeys P Trevor and DK Ashish scored a double each.