The Zavaray Poonawalla Evening Racing is here to stay! With the crowds thronging the racecourse in larger number this time, the masses certainly have taken well to racing under the floodlights. The overall ambiance was sleek and festive and dusk at the Mahalaxmi was never brighter and bubbling with as much enthusiasm.

The stars on the day however, were Colombiana and his young rider Yash Narredu who won the R R Ruia Gold Cup (Gr2) beating public rage and Colm Donoghue ridden Phoenix Tiger in similar fashion as Yash had done atop the great Quasar in the Invitation Cup last year.

Sentosa Cove set a strong tone darting into the lead with Ostwind and Sea Lord up with the pace. Colombiana, Saker, Phoenix Tiger were racing abreast, with Gestapo galloping along close behind. Jefferson was a tad slow in the striding after jumping even and was looking to improve positions.

Colombiana (Noverre – Wonder Smile, Sohna Stud) progressed well to be one behind the pacemaker and Yash was quick on the button as they straightened for home. Yash’s ploy to accelerate when he did seemed the right thing to do and Colombiana responded instantly to build a handy lead. Sea Lord was ridden out and was improving on when Phoenix Tiger started to make his move. Phoenix Tiger shifted out and Colm had to change his whip hand to prevent him drifting out. Gestapo showed his inexperience and wilted under pressure. Sea Lord had Jefferson coming from his inside with a furlong to go.

Colombiana, owned by the Nandas of Arion Horse Company & Mr Sultan Singh, galloped on gamely and put in a determined effort with Yash egging him on. The Malesh Narredu trainee had enough legs to stay ahead at the all important end. Phoenix Tiger finished on with a powerful run but just fell short by a neck. Sea Lord managed to stage a minor revival and pegged back Jefferson for the third place.

Ten rookies lined-up for the NM Irani Trophy over seven furlongs with Caielin being installed the favourite. He however, got it all wrong and never looked prominent.

Dhishoom led the field home with covert Action, Star Scholar In My Dream and Germanicus huddled close together. Once into the straight, Dhishoom had a useful lead, but he failed to capitalize on it. Star Scholar too petered out as In My Dream got past him with Germanicus starting to accelerate. In My Dream offered some resistance before jockey Jim Crowley urged Germanicus (Whatsthescript – Phenomenale / Nanoli) on to surge ahead in the final 100 m and notch up a commendable debut win. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad had fine-tuned his filly to give off her best and she finished on showing good turn of foot to score a memorable victory. Germanicus looks a good type and should add to her first success. In My Dream too ended a gallant second and would not take too long to open her account.

Moroccan (Phoenix Tower – Baileys On Line, Manjri Stud) has hit top form and followed his last out victory with another forward performance to notch up back to back wins. The Faisal Abbas ward improved from the mid-bunch at the turn to be well in the reckoning coming into the homestretch.

Pretty Hot led them into the straight with Mt Tianmen just alongside. Siddhi was stuck on the rails and failed to get the opening when she needed it most. Moroccan started to inch closer to the front runner. Jockey CS Jodha rode his heart out and sped past the two in front to go into the lead past the distance post. She had to keep the momentum going all the way with her rivals snapping at her tail. In the end, Moroccan managed to stave off the challengers and score in a close finish.

Ladislaus, who had a good lung opener on her debut, was the piping hot favorite to win the Forbes India Trophy. He did most things right, jumping off and then galloping alongside leader Mustang at the start. Rainbow Bridege and Sparkling Eyes were up nest with the rest some distance away.

Mustang led them well into the straight before bowing out as Ladislaus got past to take charge. Sparkling Eyes started to improve from the 400 and was gaining on the new leader with every stride. It came to a boil in front of the well filled Grand Stands and although the favourite held a slender advantage, Sparkling Eyes was looming large. Jockey CS Jodha yet again proved a fine finisher as he got Sparkling Eyes going in full flow to collar Ladislaus a stride away from the winning post to secure a thrilling debut victory.

The Magician (Placerville – One Magic Moment, Poonawalla Stud) cast another spell upon his rivals winning his second race on the trot with ease. El Wonder and Wind o were disputing the lead on turning for home. They were soon joined by The Magician who was ridden by Zervan. The Magician shot past the fighting duo in front and soon surged ahead to build a handy lead. Star tried hard but failed to make any impact. Towards the end, In The Limelight and Valentino arrived with a late charge, but by then The Magician had pulled his trick.

Shadowfax (Multidimensional – River Memories, Usha Stud) was perhaps the most impressive winner of the day. Settled way behind in the mid-bunch, Shadowfax stormed to the front early in the straight and romped home to score a stunning victory. He moved aggressively past Jacknife with a terrific burst of speed and looked the winner long way from home. Pure Bliss kicked on to get past Jacknife for the runner-up berth with Replica taking the last slot in the judge’s frame. Baker Street was in a good position at the turn, but simply could not quicken, ending too far away from the winner.

Apsaras (Chevalier - Spica) started off the day by beating the public fancy Captain Abdon in a gritty finish. Upon jumping out the field was led by the speedy Peppercorn with Apsaras nicely settled in about 4^th position. The race came to a boil in the last 2 furlongs with Dashrath Singh on Apsaras and A Sandesh on Captain Abdon fighting it out, though Apsaras gamely held on to the slender lead that he had established. Mr Morrison ran a forward race and may strike in this season.

Magnolia (Teofilo-Lady Adnil, Nanoli Stud) made ample and predictable amends to her last start defeat and won with authority! She was sighted as a winner almost a furlong from home and gave debutant Englishman J. Crowley his first taste of success on the Mumbai track. Top Wizard set a decent pace with Magnolia being ridden off the pace and settled in about 7th position. Jim Crowley displayed a cool and calm temperament at the top off the straight and guided the on-money favourite to the outside and simply romped home with a measure of ease. Dancing Pretty finished second two lengths away. Grand Vitesse and Rain Dance ended up third and fourth respectively.

The grey filly Joleene (Dark Angel-Hot Dish, Hazara Stud) managed to hold on to the lead from the fast finishing Palace Girl in the lower division of the Kejriwal Trophy. Faisal A Abbas’s trainee Joleene showed plenty of early speed to take the lead from You’re The Boss within the first furlong. The 5 year old enjoyed a lead of about two lengths as the approached the final furlong and that came in handy at the end. Palace Girl maneuvered its way through the pack and came charging towards the concluding stages. The lead was fast diminishing but the winning post came to the rescue of Joleene who held on by a neck. Wind Craft and Plan B came third and fourth respectively.

Adhiraj S jodha trained Olly Boy (Alnasr Alwasheek-Queens Bay, Manju Stud) won the Harrish Mehra Trophy with a forceful late burst. Devils Ride set out in front right from the start over the 1800 metres distance and Olly Boy after taking off from the innermost draw settled in about sixth or seventh. Devils Ride had a sizable lead approaching the last furlong and was looking to make it. Olly Boy who had stayed close to the fence all the way till the top of the straight was pulled on the outside and the 4 year old took some time to gain momentum. He came charging down in the last 100 metres and swept past Devils Run in the last few strides. Move In Time and Mythical Sunrise placed third and fourth respectively in a close finish.  

For the professionals, trainers Vishal Gaikwad and Faisal Abbas saddled a double each, while jockey CS Jodha rode brilliantly to secure a treble. Jockeys Dashrath Singh and British Jockey Jim Crowley notched up doubles as well.