The relatively inexperienced Mrs Patmore (Holy Roman Emperor - Eliza, Nanoli Stud) owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke, Mr Jay Shirke & Mr KN Dhunjibhoy, produced a cracking stretch run to fight off a lively challenger in Hall of Famer. The narrow victory fetched the connections the first Classic of the season, the Gitanjali Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr1) in only her third career run.

Before the start however, the first favourite Temerity was taken out of the stall and made to trot a couple of times. Surely something was amiss with Temerity as was evident from the way her jockey Neeraj Rawal eased the filly soon on turning for home and Temerity did not take any serious part in the race.

Book Thief played the pace-maker’s role and set off at a good pace. In My Dream and Cataleya raced together a couple of lengths behind. They were followed closely by La Dona, Silken Eyes, Hall of Famer tucked in on the rails with Sparking Eyes for company, then came Devoted Eyes, Mrs Patmore and Angel Girl – these comprising the front bunch. The rest were not too far away and were huddled together.

Book Thief faded out of contention soon on turning for home and In My Dream madea forward surge. Hall Of Famer maneuvered her way between horses and got into the lead approaching the distance post and was shaping up well too. Devoted Eyes was also going all out when Mrs Patmore arrived with a scintillating burst of speed. She improved positions had gotten alongside Hall of Famer with an impressive run, but failed to deliver the killer blow at that very moment as one had expected her to with the momentum she had picked up. David Allan atop Hall of Famer seized the chance and clawed his way back to resist Mrs Patmore’s challenge. The pair fought their way to the wire and the bob of the head sealed the race for the Pesi Shroff trained Mrs Patmore in a breath-taking finish. Mrs Patmore scraped through by a nose in a dramatic finish and Hall of Famer was a gallant runner-up. Mekong Delta was the one who caught the eye with a terrific burst, ending a notable third. She was easily the fastest finishing filly and ended a close third. These are the kind of finishes that make racing a real joy to watch!

“My heart was thumping all the way in the final 100 meters,” said Mr Vijay Shirke. “I did feel confident when Mrs Patmore emerged to challenge Hall Of Famer but when she didn’t get past as she should have, the anxiety grew instantly. It was indeed a close call and I am happy it went our way,” concluded a jubilant Mr Shirke.

“Happy to end on the winning side, it was touch and go in the final few strides,” said jockey P Trevor. I believed I would win when she responded and she was really give it all and accelerating very well. Just when I headed Hall of Famer, I felt she lost focus and I had to really urge her all the way. She is sure to improve and I would have felt happier had she sustained that forward surge all the way to the finish,” said Trevor.

The Shirke silks dominated right through the day picking up four races in all including the 1000 Guineas. Wise Child (Excellent Art – Elena, Exhilaration Stud) put in a sustained gallop in the final furlong to wear down longtime leader and favourite Goldie’s Pet in the last few strides.

Goldie’s Pet had a handy lead early in the race and soon was joined by Lilibeth as they turned for home. Wise Child started to warm up past the 400 and started to close in at a good clip. Wise Child caught up with Goldie’s Pet approaching the distance post and the pair went hammer and tongs fighting all the way to the winning post, Sandesh guiding trainer MK Jadhav’s debutante Wise Child to a narrow win. Texas Gold and Lilibeth too ran well and should do well later this season.

Masterofbalantrae (Multidimensional – Botswana, Usha Stud), another debutante representing the Shirke string of horses scored in his first outing in the hands of jockey Kishore Kadam and was trained by Vishal Gaekwad. Settling well in third spot behind leader Silk Baby and Almost Magical, Masterofbalantrae forged his way ahead and although Silk Baby had a good lead coming into the straight, Masteroinfbalantrae managed to chase her down. Lord Arazan also made a bold bid to fight his way in front of the stands, but found the debutante a shade better and had to be content beating Silk Baby for the runner-up berth. 

The Shirkes ended the day with another victory taking the day’s tally to four winners. Golden Eclipse (Aqlaam – Dream Dance, Nanoli Stud) from trainer MK Jadhav’s yard proved too good for Rousseau, the latter doing all the hard work only to give it away in the last 100. Stalking the front-runners, Golden Eclipse with TS Jodha in the saddle, chose the rail run soon on entering the straight. She got the opening approaching the final 200 meter mark and D’ Accord who was fighting hard to keep his lead, felt the heat in the last 100 meters and surrendered when Golden Eclipse shot through the rails. Golden Eclipse was not exactly firing on all cylinders and this victory, her first, is sure to see her improve further and add to her maiden win. 

Champagne (Arazan – Chantale, Poonawalla Stud) stayed in the last position until well into the straight and then produced a scorching finish to romp to a third straight win. She had won her last two starts in Pune and the Rehanullah Khan ward opened her Mumbai campaign with a fluent win. Serenita shot ahead and led them into the straight with Deep Diver breathing down her neck. She got under pressure soon in the straight as Deep Diver got past to take charge. Champaign chose the moment to make his bid and she arrived with a zippy gallop to surge ahead and score a facile win.

Mathaiyus (Multidimensional – Yana, Usha Stud) struck form and posted her maiden victory to clinch the Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy fairly comfortably. Getting quickly off the blocks, Mathaiyus galloped on his own terms and held a good lead coming into the straight. Once in the homestretch, jockey YS Srinath rode the Shroff trainee confidently and stayed clear of the rest all the way to the winning post. Rousseau ran on to finish second and Sabiq improved positions to end a good third.

Exodus (Arazan – Strawberry Fields, Poonawalla Stud) carved out a very narrow win on the last stride after an engaging battle with Hedwig. Hedwig had charged past early leader Heart of the City soon on turning for home and also built a handy lead. The grey filly looked on course to her second consecutive win when Exodus started to inch closer. The duo stuck together in the final furlong and battled all the way to the wire, the bob of the head again going in favour helped by the never-say-die efforts of jockey Joy Chinoy. Favourite Batman failed to deliver after a good last run and surrendered the third place to the late-finishing Charging Tigress.

Narendra Lagad trained Secret Flame (Chevalier – La Joconde, Ruia Stud) was the most consistent of the runners and duly outpaced the rest to claim the first race of the day. Simona led them into the straight and had favourite Kookaburra chasing her, however, Secret Flame in the hands of Dashrath Singh put in a lively finish to beat the two by a length.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and MK Jadhav saddled a double each, while jockey A Sandesh scored a double as well.