Form horses came to the fore on Wednesday’s races at Mumbai and punters ought to have returned happier than the bookmakers. With four clear first favourites obliging, and two second favourites coming through, the encashment queue at the payout window was healthy race after race.

Ladislaus (Vearenar – Gavott, Equus Stud) won his maiden race in a tough fight with jockey Trevor riding all out to ensure the victory. Mastermarksman and Never Say Never kept each other company at the helm with Star Scholar, Smart N Noble and Ladislaus close behind.

Into the straight, Never Say Never surged ahead to take charge with the pack behind readying to chase him down. Never Say Never got under pressure and started to lean towards the outside. Ladislaus made rapid progress to join the leader and they fought out the final furlong, involved in a grim battle. Trevor packed power into his final finish and held a marginal advantage going for the wire. This is when Book Thief arrived with a big finish. However, Book Thief was a tad too late to get the fighting duo but finished alongside the two to end an eye-catching third. Ladislaus ran to full potential to edge out Never Say Never in a thrilling three-way finish. Smart N Noble kicked on to end a close fourth.

Kandinsky (Dutch Art – Katavi, Nanoli Stud) booted home the weight advantage to score a dominating victory. Jockey PS Chouhan kept his mount in check as Wentworth sailed into the lead with Set To Fly quickly joining the leader. Himalayan Queen was up next with Kandinsky and Midnight Dancer a close last.

Kandinsky made rapid progress at the turn to surge into the lead soon on turning for home. He got past Wentworth easily and then drew away to establish a winning lead. Kandinsky trained by Vishal Gaekwad, had no trouble sewing up this one and the manner of victory does suggest that Vishal has kept him in good nick and should be able to etch out another victory shortly. Kandinsky has progressed well and his three victories this season prove that he is improving by the run.

Trevor and Mansoor Shah combined together to pull off a rewarding double. Trevor donned the Haresh Mehta silks atop Cicitalia (Noverre – Strange Destiny, Sohna Stud) in the first race and scored a facile victory. He moved quickly to second behind favourite Top Wizard coming into the straight. Dashrath Singh waited with Top Wizard until Cicitalia came alongside, but could do precious little when Cicitalia accelerated past Top Wizard and broke away to a winning lead within strides. There was no challenge as Cicitalia marched on ahead to carve out her maiden victory. In fact, this is the first time Cicitalia figured on the judge’s frame in her seven outings prior to this one. Mansoor Shah’s confidence ought to be appreciated as Cicitalia was after all a well-backed second in demand after Top Wizard.

There was a mishap in the early half of the race, when Running Wild with DS Daman astride, stumbled and fell, and Devoted too got unbalanced and dislodged jockey Kishore Kadam. Fortunately both jockeys were unhurt. While Running Wild collapsed, Devoted ran on riderless.

With Chouhan reportedly indisposed, Trevor replaced him to ride Mansoor’s heavily backed Arsenal (Noverre – Arsad, Sohna Stud). This one was an even easier ride as Arsenal cruised home with a lot to spare.

There was a bit a amusement in the way the race was run as There She Goes took off and ran away to lead by a distance. Even as they turned for home, There She Goes was more than 12 lengths ahead. However, she ran out of gas soon in the straight and ended dead last.

Arsenal arrived with a powerful gallop and eased past the elader to take charge early and then romp home unchallenged to win by an impressive five lengths. Magic In The Air followed the winner home with Asahi managing to keep Monza from snatching the third spot.

B Fifty Two (Phoenix Tower – Baileys On Line, Manjri Stud) was another one who kept his date with victory. It was surprising to note that the odds on the Imtiaz trained gelding rose to 85/100 from opening at near about half money. Followers of favourites didn’t mind that and reaped rich rewards on investments.

B Fifty Two did not give them a single anxious moment as jockey Sandesh got him into a smooth rhythm and on entering the straight, sailed past the front runners. Once ahead, B Fifty Two cantered away beating Sabiq by a good 4 ½ lengths without actually having to really press on it.  Sabiq did well to stay put for the runner-up berth while Glorious Opinion snatched the third from Grande Vitesse.  

Rider on the Storm (Glory of Dancer – Reflectance, Nanoli Stud) rubbed it on Chase the Ace with another winning performance albeit encountering a tougher battle this time. The fight began soon on turning for home with Chase the Ace ahead by a little over a length. Seacrets was the only one in contention inside the 400m but he too was not up to it.

Rider on the Storm caught up with Chase the Ace and the duo went stride for stride all the way. Dashrath Singh went hell for leather in battling it out with Trevor. Both were involved in a long lasting finish and in the last couple of strides, Dashrath managed to get the best out of Rider on the Storm to win by a neck. Seacrets ended a faraway third.

Magic Vision (Kheleyf – Lii Najma, Ruia Stud) scored her second career win after a gap of nearly two years but it couldn’t have come at a better moment for trainer Arif Patel, who enjoyed his first moment in the Sun this season.

Magic Vision was right behind favorite Super Bolt and made his move past the 400. He got past Super Bolt easily but had to ward off a hunting pack closing in. Jockey CS Jodha was up to the task and took off at the precise juncture and kept the momentum going even as the others were catching up. Coley took a while to warm up and CS Jodha was not going to wait for him. Magic Vision didn’t let up and held on grimly to carve out a narrow win. Coley could have gone closer if not win had he quickened a stride or two earlier than he did. Royal Éclair did well to improve to snatch the third place from Nigella.

For the professionals, Jockey P Trevor brought home three winners, while Mansoor Shah returned with a double.