The concluding day of the Mumbai season 2015-16 saw an inspired performance from champion jockey and soon groom-to-be P Trevor. He surely must have been watching the ongoing IPL and must have fascinated about clouting sixes as they do on the cricket field. Well he carried that fascination on to the turf and rode out six exceptionally well-ridden winners and earned high accolades from the Sunday crowd who cheered him each time he came into the aisle.

Trevor started his day at office astride even-money favourite Sans Peur (Admiralofthefleet – Sans Pareil, Kunigal Stud) in the day’s second race. She was out quickly but Trevor held her back to settle in third behind early leaders Barringo and Hedwig.

The pair led them into the straight and just when Hedwig got past Barringo, Sans Peur got into the act shifting gears smoothly to step up the pace. Trevor had Sans Peur going briskly into the lead and soon the Shroff-trained favourite unleashed a nippy burst to draw away from the rest and score an emphatic victory without encountering any challenge. Korol did well to come from behind and finish second ahead of Hedwig.

Trevor then rattled off three more to make it an amazing four in a row. Ame (Diffident – Premier Connection, Poonawalla Stud) was his very next ride and quoted at around 9/2 in the ring. Ame was kept far back in the mid-bunch with Good Memory getting off to a good start. At the turn, Devoted had gone into the lead and was soon passed by Generous Lady thee latter was shaping up well. Trevor got Ame through the shortest way in and the MK Jadhav trained filly was given the perfect ride as she strode out well to pack off the opposition without having to sweat it out. Generous Lady tried hard but found Ame simply too good.

Rosella (Champs Elysees – On The Wind, Hazara Stud) was heavily backed and the Faisal Abbas ward didn’t disappoint, although she took her time to get into top gear. Locarno led a closely huddled bunch into the straight and then kicked on further ahead working up a good pace and a handy lead. With a furlong to go, Locarno showed no signs of giving it up and left it to Rosella to get past him. Rosella seemed a touch too far away with less than half a furlong to go, but Trevor’s persistence bore fruit as Rosella produced a dazzling dash in the final few strides to down Locarno close home.

Sky Mine (Mull of Kintyre – Landmine, Sohna Stud) was eased into the lead in the first furlong and Trevor settled the Imtiaz Sait ward going at a nippy clip. Lucas veered out alarmingly not too long after the start and was galloping on the outer railing right through, thus losing all chances.

Sky Mine entered the straight with a good lead and gradually quickened to stay clear of the rest. Riot of Colours tried to catch up but failed. Rising Brave then came with a game gallop, but Sky Mine was in total control and the latter had to be content with the runner-up berth.

Courtship (Mull of Kintyre – My Pension, Sohna Stud) from champion trainer Pesi Shroff’s yard provided Trevor with his fifth victory of the day. Lady Coachman with Sandesh atop was the firm favourite while Courtship was available at sevens. With a furlong to go it looked like Sandesh would pull off the anticipated victory till Trevor pulled Courtship off the inner railing towards the centre of the track and closed with rattle to just pip the favourite on the wire. It was a bob of the head that separated the 2 saddle artists who have between them won a third of the entire season’s races.  Courtship looks to be a genuine galloper and as such is one for the note-books. Lady Coachman was unlucky to miss out narrowly, but did well and will find her bracket soon.

The last race of the day saw inspired sentimental money flow on to Baryshnikov (China Visit – Five Satins, Greentree Stud) with Trevor atop.  Punters were well aware that Trevor had run into a fine vein of form and the horse had the credentials as well. They were indeed right. Baryshnikov and Trevor never gave a tense moment in the season ender as they registered a bloodless start-to-finish victory and never looked to be in danger at any stage. Winning 6 races in a day is truly sensational, but then why would we expect any less from India’s numero uno! I am sure that all racing fans across the country will remember this season fondly for many a reason. Trevor simply provided the cherry on top, to cap off a great Mumbai season!

The Tata Housing Season ending Million saw a highly thought of debutant from the yard of Karthik G, garner maximum support from the punters. Supreme General on the basis of a very impressive mock race was installed as the on-money favourite on debut taking on a set of well performed youngsters. He did not oblige and further demonstrates the great rift between a mock race and a real race. Carbonara (China Visit – Al Dante, Usha Stud) trained by Imtiaz Sait, dashed all his hopes with a terrific turn of foot midway in the straight to win by a widening margin of 8 lengths. Cabonara bided his time until the turn with Fury leading them in. Supreme General was in second but when it was time to power his way as was expected, Supreme General simply could not raise a gallop. Carbonara arrived with a sizzling run and thrashed the field at an unbelievable price of 8/1. Domination finished and good second and should improve on this run.

Mythical Sunrise (Kingda Ka – Phoenix Rising, Nanoli Stud) arrived with a late bid but jockey Sandesh timed his run perfectly to land the spoils in the first race of the day. Gold Streak tried to boot home the low weight advantage and sped well ahead in the straight. With those close behind making no impact on Gold Streak, it appeared he would kick away even after they got past the distance post. However, Secret Oath started to bridge the gap briskly but even his hopes were dashed when Sandesh produced Mythical Sunrise, trained by Rehanullah Khan, on the outside. Mythical Sunrise caught them both a couple of strides away from the wire and pulled off a sensational win with something to spare.

For the professionals, jockey P Trevor was the shining star of the day with six wins under his best. Jockey A Sandesh and trainers Imtiaz Sait & P Shroff each scored a double.    

Chairman Zavaray Poonawalla awarded the trophies to the champions of the season.

Leading Owner ………………………..Radiant Bloodstock Pvt Ltd & Col Swapan Bhadra

Champion Trainer ……...…………….. Pesi Shroff (49 Winners)

Champion Jockey ……………………. A Sandesh (66 Winners)

Champion Apprentice Jockey ………………………… Yash Narredu (22 Winners)

Champion Jockey Claiming Allowance ………….. Santosh G (9 Winners)

Leading Stud Farm ………………………………………….Manjri Stud Farm

Leading Bookmaker (Mumbai) ……………………… Banarasi Das

Leading Bookmaker (Pune) …………………………….Latif Associates