Frosty made ample amends for her last start failure by putting up an inspired show to ward off the well-supported Silken Eyes at the business end of the race. Jockey P Trevor got her going after a brisk start and had her up in front soon after the jump. Frosty had company in Reds Revenge and Kodiac Queen right up to the turn. Silken Eyes was in fifth with Sir Desmond in tow.

Shroff trained Frosty (Cape Cross – Miss Particular, Nanoli Stud) stepped up the pace soon on turning for home and neither of her two companions could stay on. Silken Eyes had to take the turn wider than she might have liked, but she drew closer to Frosty approaching the distance post. Frosty galloped on determinedly and soon it was evident that Silken Eyes, giving it her all, would only return second best. Frosty shifted out under pressure and that, Silken Eyes’ rider Yash claimed had hampered his chances of victory. The stewards rightly overruled the objection. Yash ought to have ridden a better race, as hurrying up around the bend and taking the turn wide certainly did not help his cause. Frosty didn’t mind that as she earned her maiden success clinching the September Handicap for her memorable victory.

Victorio (Alnasr Alwasheek – Wow the Critics, Capricorn Std) created a flutter with a neat start to finish victory, beating favourite Serenita with a measure of comfort. Both Victorio and Serenita were off to a quick start and were soon well ahead of the rest, confining the race to these two from early on.

Victorio and Serenita took the turn together, but Victorio skipped away the moment they straightened up for home. Apprentice jockey Raghuveer Singh, claiming five-kilo allowance drove home the feather weight advantage he enjoyed over the Trevor-ridden Serenita. Victorio build a handy lead coming into the final furlong with Serenita giving it everything in her chase. The weight difference and the fact that Victorio also had the run advantage over Serenita who was just opening her campaign, was too much for the latter to overcome. Victorio won easing up and Serenita certainly needed this run. I wouldn’t write Serenita off, she looked good enough to make amends soon. Champagne improved towards the end and wrested the third place from Be Cautious.

Malesh Narredu trained Staristocrat (Multidimensional – Only Royale, Usha Stud) put up an impressive performance and won ‘as he liked’ bagging the Highland Rule Trophy in great fashion. Ageless shot ahead smartly while the fancied Few Dollars More was doomed as she lost considerable ground at the start. Staristocrat settled beautifully in second, while Papakura never looked the part at any stage.

Staristocrat cruised past Ageless at the turn and then unleashed a powerful gallop without really being extended and blew away the opposition to win by an impressive margin, jockey Yash Narredu even managing to caress Saristocrat’s mane while approaching the winning post. Ageless ended a clear second and would do better over the sprint. Staristocrat was highly efficient and promises to add to this victory.

Dramarama (Phoenix Tower – Dramaticos, Manjri Stud) trained by Bezan Chenoy) needed just one run to get back to fitness and she returned to winning form to post her third career win. With the competent CS Jodha in the saddle, Dramarama thrived and scored a fighting win to clinch the JE Hughes Trophy in a thrilling finish.

Nature Boy led them into the straight and Dramarama improved to be alongside the leader as they turned for home. Jockey CS Jodha quickly put her in top gear and sped away to take charge as Nature Boy couldn’t find much. Merchantofvenice, running in the lower class, surged his way through horses to challenge Dramarama with less than a furlong to go. An Jolie too joined the fight, but Dramarama never let her guard down and even accelerated further to ward off the challengers and score with over a length to spare.

Trainer Magan Singh Jodha’s Night of Stars (Sedgefield – Alsaabeqa, Jai Govind Stud) dazzled in her finish to peg back favourite Rainbow Dash in a close finish. Last start facile winner Cavalia led until the straight and faded out. Jeena was prominent briefly before she was knocked out of the reckoning. Rainbow Dash and Simon Says battled on into the lead and were going stride for stride with a furlong to go. Night of Stars was gradually improving and had moved to third behind the fighting pair. It was in the last 100 meters that the Kavraj Singh ridden Night of Stars arrived with a spirited burst under the whip and Kavraj timed her run to a nicety to pip Rainbow Dash and Simon Says to clinch the thriller on the last stride.

Night of Stars did extremely well to win giving weight around, but this run would have taken a bit out of her. Rainbow Dash was not the best looking in the paddock, but did well within herself to go as close. Simon Says has struck rich form and has been consistent this season.

Mansoor Shah’s Locarno (Footstepsinthesand – Penthouse Serenade, Sohna Stud) was backed with confidence to the exclusion of all her rivals other than Indus Prince. The latter however, failed to live up to the support and went down without a whimper.

It was Zadora who provided the thrill as he took over in the straight and pushed for home. Locarno who was lurking close behind, stepped up past the distance post and challenged Zadora. Rookie Jayakumar atop Zadora could not control the outward drift making the task easier for Locarno. Apprentice SA Amit, who is sharpening his skills as a jockey, rode Locarno out confidently to surge ahead and win by a length. For trainer Mansoor it was another day at the office. Horses fancied by this wily trainer rarely miss their mark and Locarno was one such. 

The last race of the day was an absolute humdinger with two of Mr Jaydev Mody’s horses from different stables raging a pitched battle. It was exciting to see two rookie apprentices go all out and a short-head verdict!

Zabrok (Tariq – Elite Society, Equus Stud) with app Vishal Bunde up and Sansa with Jaykumar in the saddle started matching strides with one another. Allegiance bowed out after leading them homewards and Zabrok stormed ahead soon. Sansa was quick to make up ground and gain on Zabrok. The two started going hammer and tongs past the distance post and fought until the last stride. It was a see-saw battle and it was obvious that the bob of the head would decide he winner. A dead-heat would have been a just result for the efforts the lads put in, but sport gives one the high and the other a low. Zabrok got the nod right and won by a whisker from Sansa at the wire. It was a gallant fight and the most thrilling finish of the day. Tote favourite Royal Classic ended a far away third.