SS Attaollahi trained Booker Jones (Kingda Ka – Giocosa, Nanoli Stud) galloped away to a thrilling win to bag the Byculla Trophy and he was run close by a gritty effort from Rodeo. Unfortunately, Rodeo suffered a fatal heart attack soon on passing the winning post and collapsed on the race track. Rodeo had a fruitful career decorated by eight career victories, including the Suresh Mahindra Trophy the longest race in the country in 2015. His last win incidentally was in this very Byculla Club Trophy in 2016 around the same time last year.

Booker Zone employed the runaway tactics and going into the back-stretch had established a lead of nearly 15 lengths with Rodeo in second, Severus was well off the pace a further three lengths behind with Al Shamsheer in the rear.

Rodeo drew up close to Booker Jones in the straight and the pair fought out the final furlong. Rodeo even seemed to have headed Booker Jones and the duo hit the wire together in an exciting finish. A short-head verdict went in Booker Jones favor and Rodeo, all of eight years in age, was the gallant runner up. Severus simply could not come to terms with the freakish runaway tactics of Booker Jones and ended a faraway third.

Winter Renaissance (Courageous Cat – Winter House, Hazara Stud) was well-ridden by jockey CS Jodha to carve out a narrow win and bag the Greater Mumbai Police Cup. Normandy looked good coming into the homestretch, however his challenge fizzled out a lot earlier than expected when Sovereignsky made a bold bid in the final furlong. Rousseau also threw in his challenge and blocked behind this trio was Winter Renaissance. Jockey CS Jodha waited patiently for a gap and he astutely steered the Imtiaz ward through the narrow opening. Once clear, Winter Renaissance shot through to bound forward and snatch a well-deserved victory. Rousseau managed to pip Sovereignsky for the second slot.

The Indian Air Force Trophy was the added attraction on the day and rank outsider Incentio (Diffident – Orient Dance, Poona Stud) floored all and sundry to etch out a shock win. Wind Craft led them homewards and when Mizilla Gold got past him for the lead, she looked on course to add to her last start victory. Phoenix Knight, the tote favourite was never prominent and made little impact on the race. Incentio, as if taking off on a runway, arrived with a speedy burst to shock Mizilla Gold on the last stride.

Malesh Narredu trained Cataleya (Multidimensional - Farrfesheena, Usha Stud) produced a scorching finish in the homestretch to steer clear of the rest and score a thumping win over Queen Credible. Rideronthestorm and Golden Bell brought the field home and before Governor General could switch gears, Cataleya charged ahead working u good speed. Queen Credible, who was last of five entering the straight, warmed up late and tried to make a race of it, but Cataleya, in the hands of apprentice Santosh galloped on gamely to thwart her attempt.

Glyndebourne (Western Aristocrat – Portia, Nanoli Stud) produced a fighting finish to quell the late challenge of Perfect Star. Favourite Raiden led from the start but veered out badly on entering the straight giving plenty of room for Glyndebourne to launch her final run. The Vishal Gaekwad trained filly sped away in to the lead and had the task of holding on through the long Mumbai straight. That she did is a good sign as she galloped on spiritedly all through. Perfect Star warmed up late and began to inch closer to the leader and they battled hard in the final 100 and dashed past the wire together. Jockey Sandesh is not one to loosen his grip once he has the winning chance and he rode out all the way to nose out the challenger.

Raees (Sedgefield – Lost Perfection, Jai Govind Stud) scored a fashionable win, his first from seven starts. He sailed into the lead soon on turning for home and drove home the advantage on accelerating well and sailing away from the rest. His chief rival Thor of Asgard had to cover some deficit after racing close to the rear for most of the journey. However, he was not too far behind the winner in the straight and was easily accounted for by Raees who dominated the final furlong to win by a handsome margin. Raees stayed the distance comfortably and his manner of victory suggests that he is capable of adding to his tally.

Deccan King (Chevalier – Izwah, Ruia Stud) came through a rough passage and quickened at the right moment to ward off a stiff challenge from Super Bolt. They were all in a line at the distance post and it looked anybody’s race as The Giver, Star Scholar, Deccan King, Super Bolt and Isinit were all in a lone with 200 to go. Super Bolt had barely gone into the lead when Deccan King, who was closet on the rails, broke free and put in a fiery finish with apprentice Nadeem in the saddle. Once he got the opening, Deccan King, trained by Hormuz Antia shot ahead to down Super Bolt and clinch the issue close home.

For the professionals, trainer Imtiaz Sait saddled a lucrative double, while jockey A Sandesh scored a double as well.