The glamour quotient on another colourful Zavray Poonawalla Evening Racing day was full to the brim with the presence of stunning beauties representing the Femina Miss India 2016 cat-walking in the paddock. Live performance in the special enclosure had talented musicians and singers entertaining the invitees and Mahalaxmi racecourse looks a sight to behold under the flood lights.

On the racing front Solomon ruled supreme while clinching the RM & Rukmani Million, picking his first win over 1400m stumping the two top fancies Dancing Prances and Congressional. Solomon did have a small number of supporters that reaped rich rewards at 8/1. However, the major market trends were shared between Dancing Prances and Congressional who were locked at 16/10 apiece.

Solomon (Rebuttal – Dahhab, Hazara Stud) shot into the lead and looked well in control all through. Brynhill and Congressional were close behind, with Papakura in fourth and Dancing Prances sitting fifth of five.

Congressional was not his smooth, cool self and was fighting to drift out at the turn. Dashrath Singh could not control him and he went wider at the entrance of the homestretch. Solomon on the contrary, galloped straight as an arrow and was going at a good clip on entering the straight. It was clear that Congressional was down for the count and the focus was on Dancing Prances. Solomon had a handy lead and he capitalized on that cushion. Trevor, atop Solomon ensured that he was safely ahead coming into the final furlong and left it to Dancing Prances to come and get him. Dancing Prances with Sandesh in the saddle, shook off Brynhill and Congressional, but didn’t have enough steam to catch up to Solomon. The Pesi Shroff ward galloped on relentlessly to eventually seal the issue with a length to spare.

Sandesh however, ended the day with a fine treble. He opened the day’s proceedings piloting Imtiaz Sait trained hot favourite B Fifty Two (Phoenix Tower – Baileys on Line, Manjri Stud) to a terrific victory to conquer his lone rival Jigsaw. B fifty Two looked the winner even as they were just turning for home. Jigsaw had led by a couple of lengths until the turn and then B Fifty swung into action to leave Jigsaw completely devastated. What was more astounding was the fact that Sandesh had B Fifty Two on the bit all the way to the winning post and the margin of victory kept increasing with each stride. B Fifty Two won by a whopping 15 lengths and a half!

Sandesh struck again with even money favourite Victorio (Alnasr Alwasheek – Wow the Critics, Capricorn Stud) to a facile win. Sitting second behind leader Peppercorn, Victorio made his forward surge soon on turning for home. Peppercorn fought hard to stay in contention, but once in the final furlong, Victorio bounded ahead to post his maiden win on his ninth start. Peppercorn did well to stay in second and Espada finished on well to snatch the third from Pretty in Patpong.

Paramour (Lord Admiral – Paramo, Hazara Stud) unleashed a scorching gallop and pulverized the opposition with a gallant show. Sandesh had the MK Jadhav trained filly in fourth as Wind Craft, Abigail and Stardom Calling were vying for the lead. However, Paramour blew them all away once they straightened up for home. Paramour sped away in an instant and worked up scorching pace drawing away with every stride. He was all along coming inside the final furlong and galloped on to score by nearly eight lengths. Paramour’s performance was delightful and he should be able to pick up another one this season. Phoenix Fire who tailed the field and was a couple of lengths behind the bunch, rallied on nicely and ended an eye-catching second although he was too far away from the winner. Phoenix Fire is one for the notebook.

Trainer Dallas Todywalla sent out a lucrative double – Zahrazan (Arazan – Zarandja, Villoo’s Greenfield Farm) and Streetjammer (Arabian Gulf – La Premiere, Amanali Stud).

Zahrazan was back to her prime with a sizzling start to finish triumph. She jumped out smartly and darted into the lead working up a good pace. Spear of Trium was up next with Dancing Prince lurking along the rails and Relentless Pursuit not too far away. Fancied Aliboxer had a disastrous run nearing the 600 mark as he veered outward and was galloping absolutely wide and lost his chances there.

Zahrazan meanwhile, stormed further ahead in the straight and almost built a winning lead. She had a clear beak of 3-4 lengths approaching the distance post and her momentum carried her through to win untroubled. Spear of Trium, Relentless Pursuit, Dancing Prince, Alfredo all were left to fight for the minor placing.

Streetjammer was handled skillfully by jockey Joy Chinoy and the well-backed gelding responded with a crisp timely gallop to wrap up the race in style. Joy got off to a good start, settled back in third or fourth with Royal Classic and Rapid Girl in front. Zambian was right behind Streetjammer at the turn.

Joy Chinoy switched lanes deftly and got Streetjammer to the outside and got him going past the 400. Streetjammer stretched out nicely and shot ahead and piled up a big lead and was well clear approaching the distance post. Zambian too had to be switched out and once he got a clear run, he started to bridge the gap. However, Joy had played his hand cleverly and egged Streetjammer on to pull it off commendably. Zambian ended a good second ahead of Sensex.  

Mikayla (Arazan – Entendu, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) scored his maiden win to claim the JP Vazifdar Trophy justifying the tremendous support he found. Sitting third behind leader Pure Sin and Star Comrade, Mikayla made his move once into the straight. Jockey Trevor got Mikayla past Pure Sin with Star Comrade between the two also appearing to prepare for a challenge. However, Mikayla accelerated nicely and was soon sailing away from Star Comrade. Mikayla, trained by SK Sunderji, kicked on gamely to register her first win with a measure of comfort.

Palatial (Pivotal – Pink Palace) put in a sustained gallop to power his way to victory and jockey Neeraj Rawal had to pull him out for want of clear passage. Goldsmith guided the field homewards and was soon caught up with by Limekilns and Dancing Splendour. Palatial moved inwards when Sanam launched his assault and joined the fight. Jibuti was making his bid widest of all. Palatial had to skirt around the horses in front and had to come on the outside of Sanam before he could start to step on the gas. Once he did that, Palatial shot ahead to win by a narrow margin. Jibuti finished on full of steam and ended close alongside the winner.

For the professionals, trainer Dallas Todywalla saddled a double, while jockey Sandesh scored a treble and jockey Trevor a double.