Sunday’s races saw an array of entertainment with the popular Stylecracker day offering a range of activities off the race track. The racing program however, needed to be more attractive; small fields and just six races would hardly thrill any racing enthusiast. Hopefully the RWITC will do enough to return to its competitive racing programs before long and get the glitter back in place the way Mumbai racing has been over the decades.

Cyclone (Ace – One magic Moment, Poonawalla Astonish Stud) rallied from the fifth position to provide a cracking thriller on the track, arriving with a scorching gallop that sent his huge number of supporters into ecstasy. It looked tough for the on-money favourite even as they entered the homestretch, as Yellow Diamond had galloped past leader Star Comrade still on a tight rein, hurtling towards the winning post at a good clip.    

Sanjay Kolse trained Cyclone, with SJ Sunil in the saddle showed nerves of steel to begin the chasing down.  Yellow Diamond fought all the way even as Cyclone was finishing on with a sizzling gallop in the final furlong. The pair matched stride for stride and in the end, Cyclone managed to nose out Yellow Diamond at the wire. Classicus did not do too badly as he ended third after being last of six all the way into the straight. Classicus has had a good educative run and over a slightly longer distance can make his presence felt.

Supreme General (Old Forester – Fiery Pegasus, Hazara Stud) won as he liked toying with his two rivals to clinch the Maharaja of Morvi Trophy justifying his cramped odds. He went about the paces tailing the duo, Arak and Rising Brave until the turn. Once into the straight, Arak still had a handy lead while Rising Brave was found wanting. Supreme General, trained by Kathik and ridden by PS Chouhan eased to the front and streaked ahead to win convincingly without encountering any challenge. Supreme General looked in great shape while winning comfortably, easing up in the last 50 meters.

Critics Choice (Tariq – Berkeley Lodge, Pratap Stud) trained by Hosidar Daji was back to his winning ways with another stellar performance to clinch the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy. The six-furlong sprint race had just six runners, yet looked wide open and competitive, but Critics Choice made it with surprising ease.

They were closely huddled most of the way with Dancing Phoenix at the helm with Deep Diver and Critics Choice breathing down his neck, Renee had The Champ for company a length behind the trio and Rule Downunder was at the tail end.

Dancing Phoenix caved in too easily and Deep Diver had barely taken charge when Critics Choice, ridden by A Sandesh put up a fiery run to zip into the lead. Once ahead, Sandesh rode out aggressively to stay clear of the rest. Renee put up a brave run but failed to get close enough to challenge. The Champ too showed his limitation when it came to top class horses and finished a tame third, ending his run of five victories on the trot.

Serenity (Whatsthescript – Serenity, Nakul Stud) scored an emphatic victory in the day’s opener showing off her speed and polishing off her opponents with authority. She sailed into the lead on settling down getting past even the speedy Nascar early in the race. She showed a clean pair of heels and took off once in the straight. Nascar found the pace too hot to handle and bowed out earlier than expected. Shivalik Shine did try to force her way, but Serenity was way too good and she held her own to score impressively clocking good timing as well.

Vulcan was a letdown after his impressive run in Pune. He did everything right leading them all the way well into the straight and faltered badly in his finish. All seemed going well for him as they turned for home and Frosty being niggled at the turn. Frosty put in a determined and gutsy run, never giving up and fighting all the way. Frosty (Cape Cross – Miss particular, Nanoli Stud) was rewarded for her persistence and managed to chase down Vulcan by a neck. Vulcan certainly disappointed and let down a large following.

The last race of the day saw Malesh Narredu trained Volantis (Multidimensional – Silver Print, Usha Stud) pick up her maiden win. Volantis was at her best after some ordinary performances in Pune and sprang into top gear to finish with a flourish.

June made all the early running and brought the field homewards, but failed to sustain. There was a rush for the post as Covert Action and Mariska started inch forward. Volantis arrived with a scintillating gallop and just as Mariska had taken charge, Volantis picked up speed and bounded forward, finishing the fastest of all. She blazed past Mariska and the latter hard woefully found one better for the fourth time in a row. Volantis tasted her first win and now looks good to add to it. Mariska was again frustrated close home and will have to find that killer instinct soon to do justice to her talent.

For the professionals, Jockeys A Sandesh and Neeraj Rawal scored a double each.