Two graded race and two contrasting wins panned out on another glittering day at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. With the Mid-Day Trophy, the Jagjit Singh Tribute Salver and the Little Hearts Million in the mix, Sunday’s races were enthralling. Then there was a famous visitor in Cine Star Kangana Ranaut who graced the occasion while presenting the winner’s trophy for the Mid-Day Trophy race.

The first stunner unfolded as B Fifty Two (Phoenix Tower –Bailey’s On Line, Manjri Stud) galloped freely out in front and surprised on and all by galloping on gamely to score one of the bigger upsets this season. B Fifty galloped at a comfortable pace right through until the turn, ensuring that he had plenty left for the business end. Alaindair was caught off guard in the straight and even though he looked threatening when he started to accelerate, B Fifty had enough gas to last out the course and upset all calculations to hand it out to the hot favourite Alaindair. Jack Frost was expected to do better, as most thought he would follow Alaindair home, which he did, but then few believed that Alaindair would find one better in B Fifty Two.

For trainer Imtiaz Sait it was a great delight to have had his ward perform his best to beat one of the top seasoned horses on the turf. “To be honest, I did think B Fifty Two was in with a chance. Alaindair has great credentials comparatively, however, I thought he was not at his peak really and told jockey Trevor that we should go for it start to finish. Trevor settled B Fifty Two rhythm and I was optimistic when I saw B Fifty Two come into the straight knowing he had not really tired himself. Trevor rode him out in an exemplary fashion and I feel vindicated,” said Mr Sait.

There was talk about Dancing Prances (Ace – Dancing Greens, Poonawalla Stud) too being on his way downhill but the big hearted game galloper proved his detractors wrong with a superlative sprinting gallop to clinch the Dr SC Jain Sprinter’s Championship (Gr2) in style he is used to in the past.

It was never going to be easy pickings as the field had a number of speed merchants, yet Dancing Prances pushed pre-race favourite Holy Smoke to second in demand at race time, garnering game support in the betting ring.

Dancing Phoenix brought the field into the straight and had to work hard to stay in contention. Gold Bag came up with a challenge and was starting to charge ahead. Holy Smoke showed a bit of spark but failed to sustain. Dancing Prances pounced on the front runners at the distance post and once he warmed up, he was galloping resolutely and unleashed a powerful thrust to down Gold Bag with a well-timed finish. Your Royal Majesty arrived with a late but fiery dash and narrowly missed the second spot.

Dancing Prances became the first horse to win the Dr SC Jain Sprint for the third time in a row. Jockey Imran Khan was thrilled to have partnered this quality sprinter. “He is a joy to ride, I have never ridden him on work, but I have won races with him. He is a class sprinter no doubt and is glad to get back to winning ways. You can see he has been consistent throughout his career and I feel he still has a lot of fire in his belly. He is a live threat for the Sprinters’ Cup in Bangalore next month and I feel he may have to be ridden slightly off the pace on that track. His finish is tremendous and that will hold him in good stead always,” said jockey Imran Khan.

Windsor Forest (Phoenix Tower – Samsa, Manjri Stud) showed sound improvement over her debut second and achieved her maiden success with a good effort. Jockey Suraj Narredu had the Pesi Shroff ward in the mid bunch early on behind leaders Fair Warning, Gazino and Dragonmoss.

Gazino took charge early in the straight with Angels Touch close alongside when Windsor Forest started to mount her challenge. She accelerated smoothly and went surging ahead in the final furlong to sew up the race past the Grand Stands. Rochester was kept too far back and even though he was the fastest at the finish, he had too much to do in the final moments and yet did well to take the runner up spot. Rochester is one to note.

Carbonara (China Visit – Al Dente, Usha Stud) was back to his best after a few below par performances and was really bullish at the finish with ace jockey A Sandesh guiding her to a thrilling victory, giving trainer Imtiaz Sait a back to back double after B Fifty Two’s stunning victory.

It was a tightly packed bunch as Pink Panther guided the field homewards with Flashy Wings, Ladislaus, Sawgrass and Flag Flying all going all out soon on turning for home. Miss Saigon’s run is best ignored as she was badly hemmed between runners and never got a chance to step on the throttle at any stage. Yet she finished in the money which confirms the fact that it would have been a different story had she gotten a clear run. Sawgrass kicked on to take charge and shaped to score when Carbonara flashed on the scene with a terrific burst to peg back Sawgrass and clinch the Little Hearts Million with a perfectly timed run. Elegant Beauty was finishing on with good strides and she too recovered well from the rear to finish full of steam to snatch a place in the frame.

Dr Jagjit Singh’s soothing voice brought back wonderful memories of the Ghazal King as his immortal numbers played on the sound system at the course time to time. The 7^th race of the day was in memory of the legendary singer Irish Bailey galloped in fine rhythm to pick up the Dr Jagjit Singh Tribute Salver hitting the right notes to bag the prize salver.

Triple Threat, Silk Baby and Ainra turned for home together with Irish Bailey (Arazan  - Baileys On Line) lurking close behind. Silk Baby failed to quicken and was one of the first to fade away. Orla started to inch closer and Irish Bailey started to respond well to Sandesh’s call. The Dallas Todywalla trainee gathered momentum quickly and bounced away from the rest inside the final furlong, giving no chance t the rest, while posting an emphatic victory. The fight was on for the minor places with Orla, Rain Dance and Adeline finishing close to one another in that order. Rain Dancer has to be singled out for veering a lot of ground, maneuvering her way between horses from the rear, to finish off well to end in the money. Zabrok finished one off the frame, but did cover ground to demand a mention.

Traherne (Phoenix Tower – Caborig, Manjri Stud) arrived with a big run to crash Khayyam’s bold start to finish bid, with a run timed to perfection, assisted in the saddle by jockey CS Jodha. The Sunderji trained gelding was off the pace with only Mekong Delta, one of the two top most fancied runners (the other being Pugnacious), behind him. Khayyam entered the straight with a handy lead and was building on it, working up a sustained gallop. Pugnacious was all out in chance but could not find the extra gear needed to tackle Khayyam. Traherne started to devour ground briskly making a forward surge with 300 to go. He got into a fiery gallop mode past the distance post and then posted a scorching finish to pip Khayyam on the post and carve out a thrilling win and bag the Sonny Brar Trophy named after respected and popular breeder late Mr Sonny Brar owner of the Deshmesh Stud Farm.  Pugnacious followed them by just half a length. Mekong Delta disappointed and ended a tame fourth.

Makino (Sedgefield – Blitz Kiss, Jai Govind Stud) picked up the day’s opener, the Div I of the Koku-Kika Trophy with a spirited run in the homestretch. No-hoper Noble Chieftain set the pace and lead them into the straight with Gran Paradiso in second and Makino well in touch with the leaders.

No sooner they entered the straight, Makino, trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha and partnered by the in-terrific-form jockey Neeraj Rawal, started to accelerate well and shot into the lead before crossing the 400m mark. Tote favourite Angel Girl went all out in chase and hung close behind Makino until the distance post. However, Makino drew away in the final furlong to win handsomely and at lucrative odds that the Jodhas are known to pull off with their horses. Angel Girl finished a decent second and can improve on this the next time out. Celestial Lights ran on to finish in the money.

Chizzler (Arazan – Heriess, Poona Stud) chipped away to a debut win and was backed confidently in the ring to walk into the gates the firm favourite. He didn’t disappoint his supporters for the faith shown. He was quickly settled in the second spot by jockey Yash Narredu who sat confidently close behind leader Democrat until they turned for home.

Once into the straight, Yash eased the Malesh Narredu ward to the front and then stepped on it bounding away to glory. There was no threat in sight as Chizzler romped home unchallenged to post a fashionable victory in his first outing. There is surely more to come with this late runner as he literally demolished the opposition to win by a widening margin. Aeolus Maximus progressed the best of the beaten lot to take the runner-up berth coming for a long away back.

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