Malesh Narredu trained Quasar (Seeking the Dia – Belle Jour, Hazara Stud) continued his successful march of multiple conquests adding the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr2) on Sunday with authority. With his favorite partner Yash Narredu in the saddle, Quasar ambled way behind leader The Unicorn all the way into the straight.

The Unicorn had tried the runaway tactics and had darted ahead to lead by more than seven lengths all through the backstretch. Quasar was galloping leisurely in second, and for some reason, Shivalik Showers changed his usual front-running style and essayed the waiting game following Quasar a couple of lengths behind in third. Remember Me and Okavango were shunted out of the race from the start itself.

The Unicorn had a handy lead coming into the straight and if he had any thoughts of pulling off a sensational upset, Quasar crushed them the moment Yash gave him the signal to go for it. Quasar not only bridged the gap in a trice, but also got aggressive as he brushed aside The Unicorn and zipped past to score comfortably to stretch his winning streak to six on the trot, tallying 16 career wins in all from 21 starts, never once failing to figure in the judge’s frame. His gross earning too soared to a record Rs 6.12 Crore, maintaining his status as the richest equine millionaire in the history of the sport in India.

The Dr SC Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Gr2) has always seen exciting finishes and it was no different this time either. They were off to a cracking start with Brynhill and Dancing Phoenix disputing the early lead with Solomon closes behind. Dancing Prances led the pack behind the trio with the rest huddled together.

Brynhill led them into the straight with Dancing Phoenix alongside. Solomon was right there, but was not finding his rhythm. Dancing Prances then started make headway and soon joined the trio in front. Adam found himself right behind the tiring horses and could not wriggle out of a tight spot, losing crucial seconds. With about 300 to go, Dancing Prances surged ahead and looked in control. Jockey Sandesh urged him along and just when it looked safe enough to celebrate for the Dancing Prances camp, Adam got the clear passage and he finished on with a good burst. Brahmachari too arrived with a late run but Dancing Prances managed to keep them at bay. Adam was the fastest in the finish and but for that lack of clear run, Adam, subjectively, may have toppled the winner. Brahmachari caught the eye while finishing a close third. Dancing Prances took his win tally to 13 from 22 starts and has finished off the frame just once.

Pesi Shroff trained Apache (Ad Valorem – Chateau Beach, Hazara Stud) ridden by P Trevor galloped to a clean start to finish victory with surprising ease. Booker Jones, after stretching the great Quasar in his last run was the raging choice to win. He followed Apache into the straight but with Shivalik Strom galloping alongside and with Apache galloping merrily in front, was stuck on the rails considerably longer than he would have liked. Apache though, sustained his gallop and held a firm grip on the race right through the long Mumbai straight. Booker Jones did however get the clearance past the distance post, but he could not catch Apache as Trevor kept Apache going all the way to score comfortably in the end.   

The Mid Day Trophy powered by Satra Group for maidens saw Silver Beauty (Aussie Rules – Maharanee, Exhilaration Stud) improving on her debut run and putting that experience to good use to earn her first win. Jockey Suraj Narredu made a hard race look easy as he settled the M Narredu trained filly well and early just one behind the leader Star Scholar.

Star Scholar guided the field into the straight and kicked on to stay in the lead. Suraj played along and stayed close behind the leader, waiting for the precise moment to open throttle when Silver Beauty was ready to go for it. That moment came past the 400 and Silver Beauty started to quicken. Suraj eased his filly to top gear and soon Silver Beauty left Star Scholar behind and worked up a good pace. She soon built a handy lead past the distance post and left it to the others to try and catch up. Costa Esmeralda improved positions and came with a good finishing effort, but by then Silver Beauty had sealed the issue. Costa Esmeralda should improve on this effort and may not have to wait long for her day in the sun. Star Scholar too had an educative outing and would fare better next time out. Covert Action didn’t do his chances any good, galloping wide off the track, but was gaining ground towards the end to win the RN Kanga Gold Trophy (Gr3) with a measure of comfort.

Governor General (Phoenix Tower – Dancing Highness, Amanali Stud) justified the strong support he received by winning the Design One Trophy without encountering any worthwhile challenge.

Final Encounter led them into the straight but failed to sustain. Sentimental soon joined the leader and at that precise moment, jockey Sandesh steered Governor General between the two and shot ahead. Batman started to accelerate and tried hard to make a go for it, but Governor General galloped on resolutely to stay well ahead and kick on to score a convincing victory.

Sweeping Star (Arazan – Sweeping Success, Exhilaration Stud) won the opening race of the ‘Champion’s Day’ with a resolute victory, wearing down favourite Starry Brook with a sustained gallop at the business end. Starry Brook had shot ahead from the start and maintained a healthy lead all the way into the straight. With 400 to go, Starry Brook had established a good lead and was more than three lengths ahead approaching the distance post. Young Yash Narredu then rode out astutely to first clear the deficit and then march on ahead at full steam to blast the opposition, Starry Brook included.

Sumaaq (Kingda Ka – Confluence, Tohana Stud) put in a brave performance to deny Grand Vitesse a second win on the trot, winning by the shortest of margins. Always in third-fourth behind leader Top Wizard, Sumaaq joined Dancing Pretty fighting for the lead with about 400 to go. Grand Vitesse was rallying behind these two and got squeezed for space between them, causing the jockey to check his mount at a crucial juncture. Sumaaq surged ahead and had to give it her all to keep a hounding pack of horses snapping at her tail. The winning post couldn’t have come a moment earlier for Sumaaq as Grand Vitesse arrived with a terrific run to almost pip Sumaaq on the wire. Sumaaq escaped to victory thanks to jockey CS Jodha getting the best out of Sumaaq and keeping her nose stretched ahead to etch out a narrow win. Grand Vitesse was unlucky not to have bagged this one. Dancing Pretty and Magic In The Air finished on close behind to take the relevant slots.

Paramour (Lord Admiral – Paramo, Hazara Stud) was rewarded for his consistency with his second victory this season and this one was indeed an admirable effort. Sitting right up alongside Elsa coming into the straight, Sandesh had Paramour sailing into the lead past the 400. Paramour galloped steadily to take charge and then unleashed a powerful run to draw away past the distance post. She looked the winner long way from home as the AM Jadhav trainee proved too good for her rivals. She clocked a nippy under 1:11 to score an emphatic victory and looks good to score again. Frankest fought his way to take the runner-up slot from Victorio and Judicious.

For the professionals, trainers M Narred Jadhav saddled a treble and double respectively. Jockey Sandesh increased his tally for the season’s leading jockey with a treble and Yash Narredu scored a double.