The Mumbai Season 2016-17 couldn’t have asked for a better opening! The crowds made a bee line and the mammoth parking space was filled to capacity which came as a very pleasant surprise. The RWITC and the Rotary Club had promoted the opening day perfectly and the numbers were there for all to see. The elite of the Rotary club had reason to beam as their day went off with great success. The entire racecourse wore a festive look and this kind of start is just amazing.

On the racing front, form and surprises blended throughout the day. Devoted Eyes’ loss was the biggest upset of the day and Mrs Patmore was perhaps the most impressive winner.

Trainer Pesi Shroff’s Mrs Patmore (Holy Roman Emperor – Eliza gilbert, Nanoli Stud) gave a clean performance and looked the winner even before they turned for home. She was in the fifth spot as they settled down and was galloping leisurely all the way.

Godsent brought them into the straight with Smart N Noble close behind, Sumaaq was tiring and Rousseau too was right up there as Mrs Patmore arrived with a fluent gallop on cruise mode. She devoured ground impressively and looked the winner the moment Trevor arrived from the outside. She passed them all effortlessly to sail away and add lengths between herself and the others. She pulled away winning on tight reins and this is the kind of run you would want for making a bid at the Indian Fillies Classic ahead. Smart N Noble took the second slot ahead of Rousseau and Godsent.

Trevor had in the earlier race guided Motherland (Arazan – Indistinto, Poona Stud) to a start to finish victory, similar to her debut run in Pune. The Dallas Todywalla ward took a nice quick jump to call the shots right from the start and came into the homestretch with a handy lead. Book Thief was in chase but could not sustain to chase the leader down. Motherland galloped freely and was a couple of lengths clear in the final furlong. Orla made a late dash to make a final bid, but Motherland held on grimly and never looked in danger of any last minute surprises.  Orla did well to finish runner up. Celestial Light had a good outing and she too covered ground briskly in the straight to suggest that she would do better next time out.

Trevor finished the day with yet another win in the last race atop strongly fancied Irish Bailey (Arazan – Baileys on Line, Manjri Stud). Taking off quickly from the gates, Trevor settled Irish Bailey, from Dallas Todywalla’s yard, in second as Alpine Express darted ahead to lead the field.

Once into the straight, Irish Bailey didn’t wait too long to go for it and soon grabbed the lead. The dark bay filly surged ahead and had a useful lead approaching the furlong marker. Country Music improved positions and gave a chase, but never really could get close enough to offer a serious challenge. Irish bailey won drawing away and Country Music was made to fight every inch left for retain the second spot. Abu Al Bukhoosh applying all the pressure on Country Music, came tearing down from the rear to finish a good third.

Sunderji’s Final Encounter (Ace – Amazing Queen, Exhilaration Stud) caused the biggest upset of the day reeling off at top speed right from the start and doing exceptionally well to finish off the good work. Jockey Neeraj Rawal had it all under control right through and when they turned for home he further pushed on the accelerator as Final Encounter continued to gallop sweetly. Sydney Harbour and Devoted Eyes were all out in chase but Final Encounter had the momentum going all the way to the wire. Devoted Eyes ran on to beat Sydney Harbour for the second place, a small consolation. The long layoff may have taken toll but Devoted Eyes is sure to bounce back in his next outing. Sydney Harbour could do well in the shorter scurry too.

Jockey Suraj Narredu started the season on a winning note both for himself and his uncle trainer Malesh Narredu and then added one more to return a successful and popular double for the day. Domination (Varenar – Gruezi, Equus Stud) was off to a quick start and dominated right through. He had a clear lead coming into the straight and the well-backed Dishoom quickly moved one behind the leader on turning for home. If one was bracing for a close encounter there was none as the big made Domination kicked on gamely leaving nothing to chance and staying well ahead of Dishoom all the way home.

Suraj then partnered on-money favourite In My Dream (Phoenix Tower – Tralaya, Manjri Stud), the Katrak filly looking for her maiden success. Streetjammer  got off to a lively pace and was at the helm as they turned for home. Streetjammer kicked on into the straight but soon In My Dream arrived with a sustained gallop to call the bluff. She sailed ahead with authority and won unchallenged. Batman put up a good show as he improved considerably from the rear to finish a good second, though well behind the winner.

Rehanullah Khan trained Queen Credible (China Visit – Brushed Aside, Greentree Stud) put her last poor show aside and put in an incredible gallop also timing her run to perfection to beat a tough bunch of opponents. What was more commendable was that she was at the tail end of the field as they turned for home.

Minstrel Heights led them in and soon Abbey marched on ahead. Allora was taking her time in getting into top gear. Greek Goddess was in a beautiful position but failed to quicken to suffer her first career loss in her third outing. Abbey looked on his way to win as Minstrel Heights was not gaining on Abbey with less than a furlong to go. Allora warmed up past the distance post and started to gain ground rapidly. Queen Credible, with CS Jodha in the saddle moved in with a dazzling finish and got the fighting trio a stride away from home to gain a half-length victory.  Allora paid the price for taking too long to go for the kill and ended a close second. However, she will benefit from this run and is the one to watch out for in her next. Abbey yet again finished close to the top after a good run all through.

Narendra Lagad trained Warlock (Varenar – Calorescence, Equus Stud) powered his way to the front and made a mark on the opening day earning his first career win.  He was off to a quick start and maintained a firm grip right through. On turning for home, Be Bold tired to pose a challenge, but jockey Dashrath Singh had Warlock going further away and never let his guard down. Warlock accelerated nicely to stay well ahead and score an emphatic victory. Tennessee and Admas Beginnings fought out for the minor placing to end close together. Super Icon got squeezed along the rails and lost ground, despite which he figured in the frame. He could prove a good each way bet next time in a similar set.     

For the professionals, trainer Dallas Todywalla saddled a double, while jockeys P Trevor and Suraj Narredu scored a treble and double respectively.